When I first saw the app name Busy shapes I assumed it teaches kids about shapes, or maybe colors. Once I started playing with the app, I realized it is more than shapes and colors. It trains kids on their reasoning and problem solving skills, with some physics involved.
The game play is very intuitive. There are holes of different sizes on different types of surfaces. Kids need move the puzzle objects of different materials into the corresponding holes based on shape, size and color. 
It starts as a very simple game, with one piece of object and one hole. But the difficulty level goes up based on kids performance. Soon they will see two objects with two holes, two objects with more than 2 holes. … At the beginning, kids only need match the object with the hole based on shapes, soon they need also think about colors and sizes.
Along the way of moving up the difficulty levels, kids have to take away the barriers first before they can put the objects into the holes. They will also see the objects hiding behind the windows, and they need find the right tool to reach the object.
Kids will experience the different feels of different surfaces, steel, wood, or gluy liquid on the way. The most difficult challenge for me is when the objects start moving, they are not staying still waiting for you to grab. It requires good hand-eye coordination with good speed.
The app is designed based on the theory from Swiss scientist and intelligence expert Jean Piaget. While playing the game, kids improve their ability of handling simple objects, as well as problem solving skills.
The app has a very good tracking mechanism built in. It tracks the time for a child to finish a level, and increases or decreases difficulty levels accordingly. If you sign up for a free account, it can track more than one child’s progress.
iGameMom Comments:
I love how simple the game is, yet how challenging it could be. The whole app has no verbal or written instruction. It is a very intuitive game play. The games run fast and smooth with no delay between transitions. Kids will love it.
Busy Shapes is available for iPhone, iPod and iPad. For limited time, it is on promotion price $1.99.
If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.
For more apps that are great for critical thinking and brain training, visit Best Learning Tools for Kids – Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills.
