How it plays
The king has been turned into a frog: the prince, the princess, the knight and the wizard collect ingredients for the magic potion. Players do not take turns: everyone may move any figure at any time, but only in the directions shown on their own action tiles. Task cards determine which figure fetches which ingredient. Once all the tasks are completed, the potion is poured over the frog and everyone wins together. Talking is allowed. Eleven learning games introduce mythical creatures as obstacles, special abilities and a sand timer.
What it can help develop
Because each person controls only some of the directions, no one can make it through alone. Children have to notice when their direction is needed and ask for the missing direction: coordination and perspective-taking in practice. Added to this is planning ahead: first the griffin has to move aside, then the princess can get through. Impulse control means holding back a move until it fits the plan.
Especially suitable for
- Children who would rather play together than against each other
- Families on their way to the original Magic Maze
- Children who enjoy finding their way through the maze
Less suitable for
- Older school-age children: the original is more challenging
- Families expecting long-lasting variety: the boards repeat themselves
Our verdict
Magic Maze Kids is a worthwhile choice for families with children from age 5 who would rather play together than against each other, and as a stepping stone to the adult game Magic Maze. Eleven learning games introduce it step by step, and talking is allowed. Its limitations are the few boards, which soon repeat themselves, and the absence of fixed turns, which can leave children at a loss.
Getting started
- Start with the learning games on the reverse sides: the first three adventures are played without time pressure, and the sand timer only comes in with the fourth.
- Make clear before starting: everyone may move any figure, but only according to their own action tiles; there is no fixed order.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to the rules published on RulesPal, the box contains four double-sided boards, four heroes, six mythical creatures and a sand timer. The action tiles are distributed for 2, 3 or 4 people; there are no turns, each person moves any figure only in the directions of their own tiles, and talking is allowed. Eleven learning games on the backs introduce mythical creatures as obstacles and special abilities; the sand timer only comes in on board D. Silence is an optional extra rule. The original publisher, Sit Down!, describes a cooperative game from age 5 with four difficulty levels.
What reviewers say
In 2019, Magic Maze Kids was on the recommendation list for the Kinderspiel des Jahres; according to the toy library NIM, it was also a finalist for Best Children’s Game at Boardgames Australia 2019. According to the jury, the four scenarios introduce the rules gently, the last one with time pressure. Reich der Spiele praises the design, the components and the clever rules; according to the review, players have to be able to bear holding back a move. According to mit80, the learning games lead very well into the main game, and the first three scenarios manage without time pressure. Board Game Quest criticizes that, without taking turns, children often do not know when to act, and that the limited boards soon feel repetitive. From age 8, the original is a better fit, according to Board Game Quest.
How it compares
Bandido (from age 6, 1 to 4 people, about 15 minutes), like Magic Maze Kids (from age 5, 2 to 4 people, about 15 to 25 minutes), has the skill areas cooperation as well as logic and planning. Both games suit children who prefer playing together rather than against each other. Bandido can also be played alone, but its tunnel network needs a lot of space. Zombie Kidz Evolution (from age 7, 2 to 4 people, about 15 minutes) has the same two skill areas. In Zombie Kidz Evolution, stickers from the games gradually unlock a total of 13 envelopes with new rules; in Magic Maze Kids, eleven learning games introduce the rules step by step. Children who are really afraid of zombies are less well served by Zombie Kidz Evolution.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What age is Magic Maze Kids suitable for?
Magic Maze Kids is recommended from age 5. Children who enjoy finding their way through the maze together and can bear to hold back a move until it fits the plan are ready. Older school-age children will find more of a challenge in the original Magic Maze (from age 8).
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 15 to 25 minutes. The game is for 2 to 4 people, who play together with no fixed order; everyone wins together once the magic potion has been poured over the frog.
What skills can Magic Maze Kids help develop?
It can help develop cooperation as well as logic and planning. Because no one may move figures in every direction, players have to ask for the missing one. They also have to think ahead, for example by realizing that a mythical creature has to be pushed out of the way first.
Are children allowed to talk in Magic Maze Kids?
Yes, unlike in the original, talking is allowed. Silence only exists as an optional extra rule, and time pressure from the sand timer only comes in on the fourth board.
