Parents' Guide to The Blockheads

This game is an exciting way for kids to freely explore and get creative, although some younger kids might feel lost or overwhelmed by so much unstructured play. Managing The Blockhead's five features to keep them alive is at the heart of the game – it's very empowering and can be great fun. There's an easily accessible panel that kids simply tap to view. If a certain feature is low, such as hunger, kids can grab pieces of fruit from trees or take pieces from a stockpile that they've collected. Kids can even use a meditation option that allows their blockhead to collect items while resting and possibly improve their blockhead's environment feature. But, as with any well-developed strategy game, there are trade-offs. Kids may run out of supplies if they use them too quickly or if other players take them in multiplayer mode.

The game offers unique worlds that include equators, climates, seasons, cave systems, and more. The conditions of the worlds have a direct impact on game play. For example, if the climate is cold, a blockhead must maintain its health by keeping warm. This can be accomplished in different ways, such as finding a hat that's resistant to cold. Since there are opportunities to connect with other players on public severs, the game's best suited for kids who know and can follow safe online practices. With a bit of patience, time, and an open mind, the virtual worlds can become a fun, truly engaging place for kids to play and learn.