Playing number games with Cartamundi Fundels plus a review - Bubbablue and me
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Making maths fun with Fundels games

ByEmma

I’ve mentioned before how N is just getting into games and I’m a big fan of anything educational.  When Cartamundi asked me to review a couple of their newly launched Fundels games, I thought it was a great opportunity to broaden N’s game options.  And help enforce his maths at the same time.

Cartamundi are specialists in playing cards and card games, and Fundels have been launched to bring a fun and effective way of learning into the world of card games.  The range brings together colour, language, conceptual thinking and maths into one package to help children learn while having fun.  As well as the standard range of a game pack of cards, there are also the premium sets which come in little sturdy plastic carry cases with dice for added maths fun.  We were sent 2 of the ‘red’ maths games (the others in the range cover language and thinking.

Playing number games with Cartamundi Fundels plus a review - Bubbablue and me

As a child we used to play a lot of card games, mainly taught by our Grandad who then probably regretted teaching my brother and I to win his penny collection off him, and our mum.  So far, N is following in our footsteps with his love of number card games and he straight away wanted to know what was in the little red box.

Fundels playing with numbers premium carry case and cards

The Playing with Numbers box included 100 cards and a dice with symbols on rather than numbers. The dice indicates what action the cards played have to follow. So the highest, lowest, any choice, or miss a turn.  I have to admit it took a bit of reading to understand how to play.  There could have been some examples to make it clearer, but we got there in the end.  Essentially on your turn you roll the dice, then play either 1, 2 or 3 cards to make your best number depending on whether you’re playing in 1s, 10s or 100s, and the other players have to beat your score according to whether you rolled higher or lower.

Cartamundi Fundels playing with numbers game

Different game options are given for different levels of play – so older children might want to play using 100s, while we mostly stuck with just showing 1 card.  N grasped it really quickly, and as with other card games, it’s easy for children to beat adults.  There’s also an alternative game if you want to mix it up.

Once we got the hang of the instructions we were away.  The cards feel nice in your hand – my only complaint is that like so many cards they’re set up for right handers fanning their cards, and lefties have to do it in reverse.  The pictures are bright and colourful, and the numbers are clear to read.  The case is a nice touch because cards get all over the place in our house, so it’s a good way to attempt to keep everything together.

Playing Fundels card games

The other game is Multiplications.  N has only just started doing lots of – he’s fine on his 2s, and getting there on his 10s, but we had a go at the game and quickly came unstuck.  Each card has a multiplication on with the answer on the reverse. Similarly there are various different game suggestions to play, but the gist is about being the first to answer the sum correctly.  I can see us getting this game out when N is learning his times tables in future.

As well as maths games, the other games in the range are perfect for helping consolidate learning and practice their skills without children realising.  They’re easy to take out and about as well, and make a good precursor to proper playing cards.

Fundels were launched in January, and are available to buy from Tesco, and from February will also be stocked in WHSmiths and John Lewis.

I also have a set of the 2 games we reviewed to giveaway to one reader.  Just answer the question in the comments below – tell me what your favourite game is and why (no need to complete the url box) – then enter via the rafflecopter widget.  There are extra bonus entry options.  Please ensure your email is current as this will be the method of contacting the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and conditions

  1. UK entry only, over 18s
  2. Giveaway closes 11.59pm 26th February 2017
  3. Entries will be validated according to the rules of entry
  4. There is 1 prize of 2 Fundels games
  5. The data of anyone that enters won’t be passed on to any third parties or used for any unsolicited marketing communications.
  6. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook or any other social media.
  7. Winner will be randomly chosen, and will be shown on this post, with further notifications may be shared on social media.
  8. Winner will be notified via email, and will need to respond with their postal address within 3 weeks otherwise a further winner will be drawn.
  9. Prize will be sent out within 30 days of receiving postal details via the supplier.
  10. This giveaway may be featured on Loquax, Prizefinder and Superlucky
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Disclosure: We were send the Fundels games for the purpose of review. All words and opinions are my own.

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156 Comments

  1. I like the games from years ago like Snakes and Ladders, Ludo, Draughts and Beetle game, Tiddly Winks. When mine were young they used to love to play Operation and took great joy in touching the sides with the tweezer to make it buzz. The object of the game was to take the parts out without touching and making it buzz! They had more excitement playing it their way.

  13. Buckaroo , think we’ve had many fun days playing that game and it never grows old a game for all the family.

  16. We like to play old fashioned Snakes and Ladders as all members of the family can play on an equal footing.

  31. Frustration because it reminds me of Christmas round my Gran’s and it’s a simple game but really entertaining.

  34. I love Scattergories or Boggle because I usually win but the boys prefer Pie Face – or of course their electronic games

  40. I always loved playing old maid or snap with my late grandparents when I was young, now however I spend my evenings playing top trumps or Pokemon with my children 🙂

  43. I love matching pairs and lotto style games. It means that we can play as a family, regardless of different ages/abilities

  47. we have lots of favourites, but my personal favourite to play with my little ones is Hungry Hippos, its just chaos 🙂

  49. I love Trivial Pursuit because I am a massive quiz fan and there are so many different variants there are suitable versions for everyone

  51. Our family love Sorry! because all the family can play it and enjoy it and it is such fun.

  57. We like old maid, good old fashioned fun and hilarious when the kids aren’t trying their best not to be the old maid lol

  60. i personally love Monopoly, my brother used to play it with me when we were younger and he was always the banker which made me use my maths a lot as I’d have to keep a check on him making sure he wasnt cheating!

  63. we love Jenga in our house. as our children are between the ages of 6 and 14 it’s something that everyone can play.

  75. I used to play a lot of Top Trumps with my brothers when I was a girl. I’m surprised they haven’t released similar versions for very young children.

  78. My Grandson loves to play snakes and ladders when he comes to visit.We both find it fun although he usually wins

  79. Oh I have really fond memories of playing card games with my grandparents too!
    These look great, anything which encourages number play is a good thing in my book!
    Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x

  82. We love Scrabble – it helps with spelling and knowledge of words while having fun trying to score points, so maths as well

  88. my grandson loves og on the bog, i have no idea why!! must just be the farting noises

  91. I love playing King of Tokyo with my son as you play the parts of monsters and robots and have to compete with each other to become the king and win.

  99. We love the Orchard Farm range of games. They are educational, fun to play, innovative and quick to play.

  104. We’re loving “Bananagrams”, its like scrabble for kids without the board, can be educational and lots of fun

  106. My favourite game personally has to be scrabble as i find it can be challenging at times especially if you get lots of terrible letters

  134. I love Monopoly as it is different every time and I love the fact that it goes on for a long time!

  141. Monopoly, have some great memories of playing it every sunday with my dad and still love it now.

    1. Forgot the ‘why’ !! Because my dad used to be the ‘Grand High Wizard’ in it and really got into character, which we loved!

  152. My daughter got Monopoly Junior for Christmas and it has been so much fun playing with them – I think we might upgrade to full game soon!

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