Each year Hidden Hills Productions, Inc. donates games to one organization. This year, at our daughter's suggestion (she's a former volunteer,) the recipient was The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang Camp. We hope the kids enjoy our games, and that they have a great camp experience!
Reviews!
Geography K-2: "We will also be using two fantastic games to learn geography, by Hidden Hills Productions, Inc., available through Veritas Press. Huge floor maps allow students to play on the United States or the world. Hopoff!™ teaches states and capitals, Maptangle® teaches landmarks and geographic locations of the world. Very clever. Very effective."
From the Napa Register (March 25, 2006):
"The enthusiastic and articulate sixth-grader from St. Apollinaris says traveling has engaged her interest in
geography, and her knack for the subject put her into the state finals of the National Geographic Geography Bee."
"'I began studying geography because I wanted to learn more about the world I live in,' said Alice."
"As with any bee, review and persistence are key. During the school competition... a parent volunteer organized early morning study sessions for the geography bee participants."
"Different study methods were used during these sessions, and the students played games like 'Maptangle®,' which Alice describes as Twister, but with geographic elements. Students also used card games and practiced map reading."
"'You want to make it fun', said Alice. 'You have to learn your country, especially the capitol of every state, and read a political and topographic map.'"
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2004: Borderline® Games: "With the new African Edition, the European/Middle East Edition, or the original US Edition, here's a playful, painless way to make maps fun! The object is to get rid of all your cards, but you can only put cards down on a card that "borders" the state, body of water, or country in your hand. If you don't know, flip your card for a map that shows the borderlines. A no-tears-or-fears, entertaining geography game! 8 & up. Age: Late School Years."
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2003: Borderline® Games: "Whether you play the USA or European edition, here's a playful, painless way to make maps fun! This self correcting card game for 2-4 players is not just for folks who already know their way around maps. The object is to get rid of all your cards, but you can only put cards down on a card that "borders" the state, body of water or country in your hand. If you don't know, flip your card for a map that shows the borderlines. A no-tears-or-fears, entertaining geography game! Too late for the 2003 Edition, the new Africa Editon of the game works like the others and will doubtless fill a void for kids who are learning their way around a map of that part of the world. New this year is a combination pack with all three decks. 8 & up. Age: Early School Years, Late School Years, Tweens."
Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Products 2001: Borderline® USA Edition "This product will delight your child and help them learn geography. The game is a pack of quality bright-colored cards, painted on one side with a single state map, and on the other side, the portion of the map of the United States. The game is about state locations and borders. When you begin the game the players are dealt a hand of cards, the map side is down. The challenge is to get rid of them by playing them on states that they border. It is fast and helps the child easily learn geography. The first players who get rid of all the cards win. It is easy to play. It is a great game to take along on a trip, as the child will learn more about this country."
The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Winner, Spring '00: Borderline® Games, Inc.
Attempting to enhance children's geographical knowledge is not an easy task. The lack of basic recognition when it comes to our own country should be cause for concern for any educator or parent. Borderline® is a good attempt at tackling this issue with a game that is easy to learn. The large cards are both colorful and bold. By understanding where each USA state is in relationship to others that share its borders, there is a visual recognition at work here that parents told us really took hold with their kids. Playing together with their kids, parents told us that their own recognition level was given a shot in the arm.
