Have you ever wished your kids would use the iPad camera for something other than selfies? Osmo might be just what you’re looking for. With three educational apps designed with both style and substance, Osmo is an accessory for the iPad that will transform your kids’ usual screen time into a play experience that’s actually engaging.
Osmo comes with a camera attachment, a stand for the iPad, and accessories for playing the free apps aimed at ages 6 and up. There is very little initial setup; with an iPad Mini, we did have to make a quick adjustment to the stand to hold it properly. A reflector slides on top of the iPad camera and then you’re all ready to get playing.
Tangram for Osmo is a fun twist on the tangram puzzle. The seven pieces are manipulated in front of the iPad, and reflected on the screen as pieces are moved into place. The app, like the other two Osmo apps, doesn’t come with irritating music or blaring cartoon characters, but with a simple interface and soothing sounds as pieces make the shape on the screen. With a great selection of puzzles and varying degrees of difficulty, this game isn’t just for kids—I enjoyed grabbing the pieces and taking on a puzzle myself.
My daughter is a new reader, so I was most excited for her to get her hands on Words for Osmo.
Clear, colorful photos give my daughter a hint for the word she needs to spell, and she uses the letter tiles that come with Osmo to complete the word. The “Junior Reader” setting helps her, as she is just getting started with reading and spelling, which frees her up from any frustration she might have felt trying to put the more advanced words together.
For even more bang for your buck, you can upload your own photos and words for unending play possibilities. Words for Osmo can also be played against a friend, adding a social dimension to the game.
Newton for Osmo is a one-of-a-kind game that takes your drawing and puts it on screen as soon as you put it on paper. The goal is to draw a shape that bounces a ball into the targets. You can draw any shape or thing you can think of, adding a fun, creative element to the app—and kids love seeing what they draw appear instantly on screen.
Normally I would balk at the price ($79.99) for an iPad accessory, but the Osmo is such an interactive and fresh play experience that it doesn’t feel overpriced. New apps are already in development, giving the Osmo a long shelf life with many intriguing possibilities for play.
Win your own Osmo!
This is your chance to win your own Osmo! To enter our giveaway, just log in to the Rafflecopter widget below with your Facebook account or email address (use a valid email so we can let you know if you win). You can then like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for up to two entries! If you already like/follow us, it will still enter you in the giveaway.
A winner will be chosen at random at the end of the contest and displayed below. You must reply to the email notification within two days in order to be considered a winner.
U.S. entries only. Contest ends January 31, 2015.
GeekMom received a promotional item for review purposes.
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