Brain Benders: Logical Creative Puzzles and Activities

Copyright: KBkids.com

This new program is something like 'Thinkin' Things goes psychotic.' Nickelodeon combines activities here that will 'strengthen' both the left and right side of your brain. The main screen looks like a big purple brain. Each side has four activities to choose from.

Left Brain Activities:

Toon Tiles: Find matching cartoon pictures in order to eliminate tiles and clear your board. Became easy too quickly for older kids, and was hard to figure out at first.

SplatHurl: When you finally figure this one out, it is a good coordinate graphing activity. Predict where each colored 'splat' will be thrown on a wall to get the most points.

Nickinos: This activity requires you to print out cards, which can be used as dominoes or in a solitaire game. Testers children never bothered to go to all the trouble here.

ToonMaze: A pattern of cartoons is shown in the upper corner. You must work your way through the maze, clicking on the cartoons only in this sequence. A pretty good activity. '

Right Brain Activities:

Dancing Toons: Select from several step patterns to make your cartoon dance to the music. Testers never did figure out how to change between cartoons easily.

ToonDraw: Learn to draw Nickelodeon characters. The artist in your family will enjoy this, but there were only two characters from each of the nine Nickelodeon cartoon shows....some of which testers children were not allowed to watch on television in the first place.

ToonMaker: Place various cartoon characters and randomly generated props on the 'stage.' You will then be able to add dialogue bubbles to make 'funny' cartoon strips.

MadLobes: A variation on the old MadLibs activity books. Answer questions and create a funny and sometimes pretty silly story.

The cartoons included came from Rocko's Modern Life, KaBlam!, Real Monsters, Ren and Stimpy, Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys, The Angry Beavers, CatDog and Hey Arnold. Some parents do not approve of all of these cartoons, so the list is included for your 'pre-approval.'

The idea here is very good. The end result just lacked ease of use, and polish. You are better sticking with the Thinkin' Things series here.

Bottom Line: A mediocre program that was difficult to figure out. A good concept, which lacked 'finish.' Big Nickelodeon fans will enjoy learning with their favorite characters, however.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 2 1/2

BrainGain: 3

FunFactor: 2 1/2

EasePlease: 1 1/2

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