I recently attended a technology expo and I was extremely impressed with a brand new game that I had a chance to try out, Osmo. Osmo is part iPad, part real life game pieces. It is educational, but also a great deal of fun. And Osmo is for kids 6 and up, yet it is fun for adults also.

A few months ago I wrote about Tiggly, an iPad app and real toy combination for toddlers. I loved the simple combination of digital and real life there, but never dreamed of one as creative as Osmo.

Combining and iPad with real objects has so many benefits educationally, as well as physically (eye strain, posture).

Osmo works by giving you a reflector that snaps on over your iPad camera. Also included is a durable base to stand your iPad while you play (and whenever you want). Osmo works with all iPads, beginning with the iPad 2.

There are currently three games included with Osmo:

Tangram

Arrange the actual puzzle pieces in front of you to match the picture in the iPad. There are Trangrams of various difficulty levels. With every correct move, the puzzle piece lights up.

Words

Words is similar to Hangman. On the screen will be a picture with the number of blank spaces shown. You place the correct letters in front of the screen and when you get them all correct you win. 

The game comes with real letter tiles. There are Junior and Classic tiles. Junior is for ages 3 to 5, Classic is for age 6 to adult. In Classic, there are various levels that can get very difficult. There are also both Blue and Red tiles so that you can play against an opponent.

 

Newton

There aren't any tangible items that come in the Osmo box for you to use when playing Newton. However, that doesn't mean that you do not use real life items. With this game you can use a variety of materials, including a pad and pencils, crayons or markers, the Tangram and Words pieces and anything you have in your house.

The game involves balls falling on your iPad screen. You need to guide them into targeted zones. You can do that on the work space in front of you by either drawing a net or basket or by placing various objects in front of you to help guide the balls. Be as creative as you can.

Create Your Own Word in MyOsmo

In addition to playing all of these games, the people behind Osmo decided to let you create content also. On the MyOsmo platform, on the iPad or computer, you are given the opportunity to customize the Word game. It is so easy to do.

• Capture new pictures directly from your iPad and play with them a few seconds later. 
  
• Using the existing alphabet, Words can be expanded to over 23 languages.
  
• Once you are proud of your creation you can share it to for everyone to enjoy. Anyone can go to MyOsmo to find the latest creations and tips from the community.
   
• For teachers, learning their classmate names will never be easier than with Osmo by mapping students faces with their names. Using content from their textbooks, teachers can build themed albums, turning learning into a fun and interactive experience for kids.
   
• Parents can upload family photographs on MyOsmo and revisit fond memories and inside jokes with their children. MyOsmo provides the tools for kids and parents to be creative and have fun together.

All orders placed now will be shipped in November, in plenty of time for the holidays. Osmo is one gift for kids that the entire family can truly enjoy playing together.