CatStax: The Purrfect Puzzle

CatStax, by Brainwright, is a brilliant game. Based on the ability to fit complex shapes together the game is fun, while also helping with cognitive development. You have a number of flat plastic cats which are all sorts of different shapes. They do fit together like a complex jigsaw puzzle. The cats (and the grid cards) are housed in a plastic box with a clear plastic lid.

Each player takes a card, starting at ‘Beginner’ level, which has a grid on it and using the cat shapes indicated, you have to fit them into the grid exactly – with no spaces left inside the grid and no parts of cat lying outside. It is actually really tricky!

The puzzle can either be one or two layers of cats and gradually becomes more complicated as you get down the 48 cards, progressing from Beginner through Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. I loved it – but I was pretty hopeless at it … and the kids were fascinated. It definitely takes practice to get good at it, but the geometrical and mathematical skills you dredge out of hibernation and suddenly put to good use make it really worthwhile! I have to say, my 9 year old daughter just ‘got it’ immediately, and put the rest of us to shame. CatStax is suggested for the 10+ age range, and I think this is fair. My 7 year old son had a good attempt at the Beginner level grids, but got frustrated quite quickly – with perseverance though he did manage a few, and was very proud of himself for it. Luckily, at the back of the cards are a set of ‘solution’ cards (which I needed to refer to quite a lot!)

CatStax is a great little game. My children want to see a dog version, with different dog breeds to stack! It is very challenging, but rewarding when you master a grid. Millie-Mae (9) said, “I love the cats but some of these cards are REALLY hard”. Toby (7) said, “I like it when I finish a card, but I’m not very good at it. I’ll be better next time I play it.”

To purchase CatStax, please visit Primary Classroom Resource.