If done in order, the 30 puzzles in Mighty Mind progress in difficulty from using two semi-circles to make a circle, to using all 32 pieces to make a shape similar to a train with cow-catcher! The first 20 puzzles provide color clues in the picture to assist a child in selecting the needed shapes, but the last 10 are without clues and are the most challenging.

I'm at amazon checking the price vs. the manufacturer's website (1smartkid). The price here is a few cents more and is very likely for the PLASTIC shape pieces. The toy was originally made from very nice, colored WOODEN pieces and still is, but for about three dollars more. I'd recommend splurging for it - I don't know how well the plastic pieces would take being stepped on. The pieces do tend to fall to the floor - either by accident or in frustration! We are missing three shape pieces and I found the manufacturer's website while searching for replacement pieces, which can be had for about half the price of a new game. Instead of buying replacement pieces, I decided to upgrade to the wooden Super Mind set instead (exact same 32 shapes).

I just bought two dozen of these games at a fifteen percent case-discount from the manufacturer! I went to their site looking for replacement pieces for the wooden Mr. Mighty Mind (old name)and decided to buy birthday gifts for my two kids' friends in advance since my own children really enjoy this game. I bought a dozen of the Mighty Minds for the 3 year-olds for when they turn 4, and a dozen Super Minds for the 5 year-olds for when they turn 6. My daughter just turned 5 and is getting bored with Mr. Mighty Mind and I'm sure her age group will enjoy the more challenging Super Minds more. Mighty Mind is great for a 5 year old if they haven't done it before - but after hours and hours with it the more challenging Super Mind will be more fun.

TIP: I like to find an age-appropriate, gender-neutral gift for my kids to give as gifts, buy it in bulk (often at a discount!)and spend an hour wrapping them all in advance. I also had a roll of personalized stickers made for each of my kids that say "Happy Birthday from (Name)" and I put the stickers on after wrapping. SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying individual cards! Then, the day of a bday party, we grab a wrapped gift from the hall closet and go!

Mighty Mind and/or Super Mind are both great gifts for this purpose, because even if the child already has one, another set makes if more fun to play with a friend instead of all alone!

21 of 21 found the following review helpful:

It caused a near riot in my classroom  Nov 04, 2005
By Thomas J. Barry
On the recommendation of a colleague, I purchased 3 MightyMinds and a SuperMind (Advanced MightyMind) for my classroom. I was absolutely amazed to see the kids clamoring for a chance to play with these. The carefully programmed sequence of the puzzle patterns really encouraged the children to pursue the more challenging puzzles without any encouragement on my part. These simple inexpensive game activities not only build essential logic and developmental skills, they also keep the kids intensively challenged. Even after they've completed a puzzle series, the kids keep going back to try it again and again. I intend to purchase additional design tile sets to expand the basic sets I purchased so the rest of my class can participate during their breaks.

15 of 16 found the following review helpful:

Taught me a thing or two  Dec 08, 2000
By Kimberly Bousquet
I purchased this educational toy for my daughter's third birthday. Even though it was challenging, she caught on quickly, and plays with it almost everyday, I'm going to purchase a higher level of difficulty to build upon the skills she already mastered with this set. It also is a great conversation piece at holidays and gatherings at the house, where toys are brought out, because believe it or not, it challenges adults and kids of all ages. It took me a few minutes to figure out a few of the higher level puzzles. Great buy.... since we're all looking for that educational toy that the kids are going to love, and not get bored with. Just watch those little pieces, especially if you have smaller children, or toddlers who still put everything in their mouth.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:

The Best Birthday Gift  Jun 28, 2000

My son received Mighty Mind as a gift when he turned four. This is the best present he received. The game teaches basic skills such as counting, sorting by shape, color, and size as well as more difficult problem solving and design skills. The game is composed of wooden geometric shapes in primary colors, and cards printed with designs which need to be re-created using the wooden shapes. The series of cards starts out easily, asking the child to create simple shapes, such as a circle out of two semi-circles or a diamond out of two triangles. The game gets progressively more difficult as the designs become more complex (including a train, house, person, spaceship, and large geometric shapes). The game also teaches manual dexterity as the child must carefully place the shapes on the card to create the larger designs. We enjoy playing Mighty Mind together and especially enjoy giving it as a birthday present to all of his friends.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

Great Educational Toy  Nov 07, 2002
By Sonya Morlock
I purchased Mighty Mind for my son shortly after his 3rd birthday (January 2002). He loves to figure out the puzzles and is able to do the more difficult ones already. It is amazing how this toy teaches a child the concept of two squares making a rectangle, two triangles make a diamond, etc. He will definitely be getting the second part of this learning tool: SuperMind. This toy definitely builds confidence in kids, when they complete a puzzle. They are learning without even realizing it!

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