Blaze and the Monster Machines
Blaze and the Monster Machines gallery
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Blaze and the Monster Machines is an educational racing game featuring characters from the Nick Jr. TV show of the same name. Kids can race on an already-built track or design their own, choosing from the Badlands, Snowy Slopes, or the Monster Dome. STEM concepts are explained and explored during play. As kids race, they unlock the next level whether they win or lose. Up to four players can have accounts on one device.What kids can learn
Racing as a favorite character will appeal to fans of the show, but even kids unfamiliar with Blaze will enjoy the race -- and creating their own tracks.
Kids are empowered to create their own tracks, placing objects where they want and seeing how that impacts the trucks' movement. Short audio clips explain the science behind the objects in easy-to-understand terms.
Parent guide explains what kids are learning as they play. Verbal instructions and an on-screen hand guide kids in how to play.
What's it about?
In "build" mode of BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINES, kids design their own race track, choosing where to built it -- the Badlands, the Snowy Slopes, or the Monster Dome -- and which obstacles to add. They can also go directly to a "race," choosing an existing track in those same locations. Before each race, they'll learn the science behind an obstacle or tool in the race, like how tires help provide traction. Kids can choose to play by tapping or by tilting the screen. Completing one level unlocks the next, whether kids win or not.
Is it any good?
Building and racing are both totally preschool-friendly, perfect for fans of the Nick Jr. show. Kids don't really have to do anything to complete a race, though they can maneuver their truck for a better outcome. Even if they come in last (or third) place, they'll move on to the next level. The real fun is in designing the tracks, and the learning comes from short explanations of the science behind each feature on the track. Each of the three locations includes several different tracks, plus kids can build their own, so there's quite a bit of variety of scenes. But the actual game play is pretty much the same throughout.
Families can talk about...
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Families can talk about the science terms introduced -- trajectory, adhesion, and acceleration -- and think of examples of each.
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Show kids that they can play in tap mode or tilt mode, and let them choose what's more comfortable for them.
App details
| Devices: | iPad, Android, Kindle Fire |
| Price: | $3.99-$6.99 |
| Pricing structure: | Paid |
| Release date: | January 31, 2015 |
| Category: | Education |
| Topics: | Cars and trucks |
| Size: | 109.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Nickelodeon |
| Version: | 1.2 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 7.0 or later; Android 2.3.3 and up |
