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It’s time we accept screen-time learning and online games are becoming the new norm. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that technology is here to allow us continue our digital learning for the real world. However, digital learning doesn’t mean having to simply watch sing-a-long videos on a tablet. Osmo is here to change how educational, interactive and fun STEM learning can take place for young learners.
The kids and I have been trying out the Osmo kits for the past few weeks, and here’s a quick review on what we think about it.
What is Osmo?
It’s an educational kit that comes with a base to place the iPad on and a red reflector piece that is to be placed on top of the iPad over the front-facing camera. The reflector is able to capture an image of how the player arranges his/her game pieces in front of the base, processes and displays this image for it to be seen on screen. Depending on the image, it has an effect in the game, in the digital world.
Depending on the kit, additional game pieces are also included. For example, the Little Genius Kit has a box of 38 silicon sticks and rings, and a box of costume tiles, the Genius Starter Kit has a box of alphabets, numbers and shapes tiles, and the Coding Kit has tangible command pieces that help create an algorithm.
How does one use Osmo?
Getting started is simple and easy:
- You go to the app store and download the right Osmo app for the game you wish to play.
- Once downloaded, you must set up the iPad on the base with the reflector piece in place.
- To start playing, use the physical game pieces, along with the digital prompts to draw, spell, code etc.
I have to say each game app is beautifully designed, with the right amount of music and clear narration. It is user friendly, allowing my 6 year old to independently navigate through the different games. I loved how one can create many profiles for the same game, and can imagine this being very handy for families with different aged children who want different sets of challenges.
For example, both my children loved playing the Squiggle Magic game form the Little Genius Kit, where my 6 year old excelled through the different levels, while my 2.5 year old enjoyed exploring at his comfortable pace.
The different Osmo Kits we tried:
Osmo Little Genius Kit
Designed for preschool children aged 3 to 5 years, this kit had games that even my 2.5 year old benefits from. The kit includes two boxes of game pieces that can be used to play four different hands-on activities: ABCs, Squiggle Magic, Costume Party and Stories.
The first time the kids tried Costume Party and Stories, they thought it was magic. The way they could dress up the character, and experiment with colours on screen by moving cardboard outfit pieces on the white silicon mat in front of them was so much fun. The Stories had beautiful narration with adventure stories that the kids had to navigate through finding the right costumes. What was more fun for both, was watching the character on screen react!
Why use a paper and pencil when you can use sticks and rings to learn about letters, words and creative drawing. It’s exactly what the children enjoyed doing when playing ABCs and Squiggle Magic. These two interactive games encourage the kids to use sticks and rings to make letters, words or pictures, which is then reflected back onto the screen to see it animated. Seriously, asking again, why use a paper and pencil?
Osmo Genius Starter Kit
This kit is targeted for kids aged 6 years and up, and no one will judge if you, yes the adult, is caught playing it too. The kit includes 5 games: Masterpiece, Numbers, Words, Tangram and Newton.
My daughter loves to draw but is hard on herself and easily gives up when the picture she draws doesn’t turn out how she imagined it. Masterpiece comes here to rescue, and has been helping her boost her confidence and creative drawing skills.
I think we all know what Tangram is about, and Osmo takes the old and brings in the new here. Puzzle pieces are used to create challenging shapes.
We haven’t tried the other three games just yet, but I am sure, these hands-on interactive games are bound to be fun, educational and there to help for develop learning skills.
Osmo Coding Kit
Having tried web based coding softwares such as Tynker previously, my 6 year old daughter had a fair idea about how coding commands work and how various coding steps create an algorithm. Hence, she was pretty excited and confident to get started on this kit.
There are 3 games in this kit, but we’ve mainly been working on Coding Awbie, where Awbie, the cute Osmo character making way through a forest with rivers and stepping stones, while collecting strawberries and gathering wood for building his campsite. To move Awbie along the game’s tiles, my daughter has to fix tangible command blocks/pieces in the right order, ensuring the direction and number of steps is correct.
The other two games , Coding Jam and Coding Duo are a little more challenging for my 6 year old at the moment and go on to teach about sequencing, patterns and loops.
I truly believe, coding is the future for STEM based jobs in this next generation. Having the opportunity to learn through an interactive game in this kit, not only builds interest and confidence, but encourages the children to develop skills such as numeracy, spatial-recognition, critical thinking and problem-solving. This coding kit is suited for kids aged 6 to 10 years old.
What we think about about the Osmo kits
The Osmo kits are a favourite in our household. I say household, and not kids, because occasionally my husband and I catch ourselves trying to join in too. These kits are unique and the mode of learning they present is unique. The software is colourful and beautifully designed, the levels are appropriately set to build on the challenges, and the game pieces are polished.
Unlike other screen time apps or games, the hands on approach of learning (or playing) is what makes Osmo stand out. There is a lot of versatility which is why the kids keep coming back to it. I can see it being a wonderful resource for children with special needs.
After the game apps have been downloaded on the iPad, there is no requirement for internet to play. Handy to know just in case you need to take it along on your travels.
The Osmo Kits we received work with an iPad only, and that too only certain models of iPads, so it is important to check if you have the right one before buying the kit.
How can I buy Osmo for my kids?
You can check Amazon.co.uk links below where all these kits and more are available to choose from.
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit
FAQs:
What is Osmo and how does it work?
Osmo is an educational learning tool. It promotes learning through physical-digital interactions, where players move game pieces in real life to interact with the digital world shown on screen. It works with a reflector that is placed on the front of the iPad, that is able to reflect back an image of the player’s game pieces arrangement.
Is Osmo worth the price?
I get it, it’s not cheap. However, for children with special needs, ones being homeschooled or generally children that need an extra challenge, Osmo will serve very well. Multiple players can use one kit, and the games level up across time, so yes, Osmo is worth buying that next special occasion.
Are Osmo apps free?
Yes, they are available to freely download from the app store, but you won’t be able to play them without the correct game pieces.
Does the Osmo work with any tablet?
No, Osmo devices work with iPad and Amazon Fire tablets. You will also need to check the model compatibility. You need to choose the kit with the correct base device, because they are not interchangeable.
Where can I get more information about Osmo?
Check their website playosmo.com for more detailed information about the kits
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