ThinkFun Visual Brainstorms

These well-made, colorful, humorous cards have earned all five stars from me for quality, varying skill levels, variety of uses/games, and bonus questions on the answer side of each card (the answer to which is printed upside down in very small font).You can use the cards individually to challenge yourself (or another) or you can play several games that have been designed for one player, two players, or teams of any number.Instructions are included for playing solitaire, head to toe, or a group game. You can make it even more challenging by adding time limits!Recommended for ages 11 and up, these challenging cards are presented on three skill levels by colors: easy, hard, and very hard. Yikes! Younger children can play also, but should team up with an older partner to prevent frustration and to maximize critical thinking benefits.Great for home, school, clubhouse, long drives, etc. These games are really exciting -- for thinkers!BOTTOM LINE: Buy it!

I bought these cards to keep my mind active after my recent retirement from teaching elementary school. I occasionally use a stick on note or a piece of scrap paper to figure out some cards, as some can't be done in your head too quickly. I absolutely love the cards and the colorful illustrations. I wish I had known about them earlier; my fourth graders would have loved the challenge. The only complaint I have is the flimsy plastic container inside the cardboard box. A nice metal one would have made a big difference for storing and using the cards. The not too challenging bonus questions are often multiple choice and the answer is written upside down at the bottom of the answer side. The answers to the main challenges are well-thought out explanations and easy to understand.

We wanted to love this as a family game, but the flaw is that everyone needs to be able to see the card at the same time, and that's just about impossible. It would be better if the card could be projected so everyone could see it. We started taking a picture with our iPhones to study the card as a compromise. Still, this was a fun parents vs. kids game.

These are great. Each card has one brainteaser, with the answer printed on the back. The size is just right for photocopying four to a page so students can write on them to figure out the answers.I used them toward the end of the year with 7th graders as a group competition - the groups who solved all four puzzles correctly won a prize. I also used them by copying then cutting into separate puzzles. Makes a great quick warm-up.As an English teacher my only complaint is that I wish more of them were logic-type problems - most of the cards are either mazes or math problems. Still a great, fun product!

I used in 4-5th grade Critical Thinking classes, the kids loved them. I like the solutions on the backs of the card, they explain the answers well.

These are great little puzzles to take with you when you have a little downtime, grab half a dozen or so, stick them in your back pocket and you are good to go. The puzzles range from very easy to difficult. Solving them could take one minute or ten. I have worked my way through about half the pack, and believe I got my money's worth. I only wish they would come out with a version two. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

I have a highly gifted grandson. As a former Gifted Resource Teacher, I found these cards a great solution for my students when thy had a few minutes at the end of a lesson. It turns out, they still are! These cards are also a fantastic item to take to restaurants for the wiggly time between ordering and food in front of you!

I tutor gifted middle school students, and most of these are too difficult for them. I've kept it for parties with adults.....very very smart adults.