Numenko-in-a-bag Review and Giveaway

We hope you have enjoyed the new addition to the blog: FAMILY GAMES!  It has been wonderful to receive these games, try them out with friends and family, and share them with you!  We have found that games are a wonderful means to developing stronger relationships with friends and family.   They provide an opportunity to get together, have good conversation, and laugh.

We love a good game that stimulates the mind and sparks fun conversation.  I was excited to learn about Numenko-in-a-bag, which is similar to a very popular word game out there, but uses numbers!  The objective of the game is to play all your tiles in a crossword fashion, vertically and/or horizontally, creating sums until all tiles have been used!  There are three kinds of tiles: numbers, freechoice (wild), and multichoice (which can represent any of the operators -- plus, minus, times, divided by, or equals). 

Tom Lennett, the inventor and creator of Numenko, had a passion to help his daughter with her math skills.   Here is a short, informative clip from his website.

When my daughter Stephanie was at school she had problems with maths.   I tried to buy a game that might help her, but there were no games available at that time.   I liked maths so I decided to make one myself.  Within a week I had created a board game, unfortunately although it worked,it was slow and laborious and there was no fun in playing it.  I put the game away and on many occasions over the years I got it out and tried to work on ways to improve it.   Many years later, after my daughter had left school, got married and had two children of her own, I cracked the problems with the game.   I came up with the Multichoice.  I sudddenly had a game that worked properly, it allowed maths to be played by all ages, helped children improve their number skills whilst playing a game.   It was challenging,educational and most important of all it was FUN to play. From the board game I called Numenko came the table top game (Numenko-in-a-bag) that allowed children to play with adults on an equal footing.   It has also been used by schools for Special Educational Needs.

Tom continues to be very passionate about math and helping children/adults improve their skills.  On his website you will find printable math puzzles, and another with interesting articles about math, education and board games.

They also support the Alzheimer's Society.  It has been proven in many studies that people that stimulate and challenge their brain as they age, they have a decreased risk of the horrible, dreaded Alzheimer's Disease.  Alzheimer's research is near and dear to my heart as both my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather suffered from the disease.  I commend Tom and his family for their support!

My Review:  I was really excited to sit down and play Numenko.  Since we love our word game so much, I knew we would enjoy this game!  It is really a mentally stimulating and challenging game.  I enjoyed using this different side of my brain while playing this game.  I love the fact that it is independent play, yet you are surrounded by others playing alongside of you!  You can play at your own speed and I love the fact you don't have to wait for others to complete their turn.  It is great having the multi-choice and free-choice options for play.  The game wouldn't be the same without it!

My First Puzzle

Making things a little more complex ...

Granted we are still teaching Sophia her numbers and counting skills, I am confident this game will come into handy when the time comes to teach her addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division!   For those of you that have school-age children, this is a great way to practice and sharpen math skills.  For those of you that don't have children or they are out of the house, this is a great game to keep those brain cells sharp!  Technology is great, but it sure doesn't stimulate our brains like a good old fashion game!!

BUY IT: HERE or HERE (Average Retail Price is $14.95)

WIN IT:  Tom, the creator of Numenko, has graciously offered a copy of Numenko-in-a-bag to one VERY lucky Go Long! Go Green! reader!!!

Links you will find helpful for the giveaway:

Go Green Go Long on Facebook
SGsMama on Twitter

This giveaway is open to the ALL and will end on Tuesday September 13th at midnight. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be drawn. Please, no PO Boxes.


Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not monetarily compensated for this review.