I was a little underwhelmed when our Pajaggle arrived in the mail. The game is looks deceptively simple and I was sure my children wouldn't be engaged by it.
I was wrong. They immediately wanted to get their hands on the pieces and were quickly absorbed in trying to find the correct socket for each one. After letting the kids have free play with it, my husband and I decided to join in. We played according to the rules and were pleasantly surprised by how everyone in the family -- from age 4 to age 37 -- really enjoyed the game.
Best use: Javi and I both agree that Pajaggle wakes up our brains. Therefore, it has become our before-homework game as it gets Javi in a great head-space and helps him focus. He told his teacher about the game and she is contemplating letting him bring it for a pre-testing activity.
With that said, the game didn't come without challenges. Here's what we liked -- and what we didn't:
Likes: Players of all ages will enjoy the game. Though the game is low-stimulation (no blinking lights, loud sounds, or neon colors), it's high in creativity and forces you to problem solve. You can handicap more advanced players, play in a group, or play solo -- making it ideal for families that require flexibility. And the biggest plus for us was that it seemed to engage a different part of Javi's brain. He enjoyed the challenge and was able to sit quietly and play for long stretches. When the round was over, he'd ask to play again rather than run off to do something else. Also, while playing, he didn't instigate fights, act disrespectfully toward me or his sister, or other issues we are constantly trying to improve.
Dislike: I didn't think the game instructions were very clear. Unless every game is sold with the introduction letter, it can be very frustrating. For instance, we had no idea how to start the game and didn't realize each set comes with one missing piece. I had to remind Javi to be patient over and over again as I tried to figure it out and he almost lost the privilege of playing because his impulse control issues were getting the best of him. That's when I turned to the letter rather than relying on the game book.
Update: The game makers have reached out to let me know we aren't supposed to be missing a piece. They already have that piece in my the mail headed our way. The only thing better than a cool game is fantastic customer service. Thanks Pajaggle folks!
All in all, I have recommended Pajaggle to our friends whose children are both typical and atypical. This is the kind of game -- like Candyland and Mancala -- that I can see being interesting across time and situations. For instance, I think it'll be a new favorite for our annual Thanksgiving after-the-feast gaming and we'll likely take it camping with us next season. (And, yes, Javi has asked us to buy one in orange. He's a Vols fan right to the bone.)
Oh, and Javi loved it so much, he felt compelled to write a thank you note to the game developers.
Awesome doesn't begin to describe this kid of mine.
Kelly Quinones Miller is the mother of an adopted son with ADHD, inattentive type. She works from home as a freelance writer and designer while trying to teach her son the strategies and skills he'll need to succeed. Kelly blogs about family issues, casual environmentalism, backyard chickens, and more at The Miller Mix.