Can-Do Zoo: Can We Dig It?

"Mom, I like this game!"

I must have heard those words ten times while Dawson was playing the new game Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo.

The Parent Bloggers Network asked us to try the Beanstalk Game from Brighther Minds Media, and from the moment I installed the software on my laptop, the kid was hooked. I couldn't be happier.

You see, a few months back I bought Dawson a handheld video game system and a few age-appropriate educational games to play. The box states Pre-K but some of the concepts are more advanced and more appropriate for the kindergarten to first grade set.

Meet Bob the Builder and his machine team. Ready to tackle any project, they hammer out solutions that lead to a job well done. Bob and his team built Bobland Bay, and the animals for the new zoo have arrived. However, there's one problem! They forgot to built the Bobland Bay Zoo.

The Can-Do Zoo game lets Dawson join Bob, Scrambler, Scoop, Muck and the whole Can-Do Crew to help build habitats for all the animals while learning educational fundamentals.

The skills learned include: shape and color identification, pattern, spatial and size recognition, memory, object classification, planning and time sequencing, and problem solving and critical thinking. Can-Do Zoo teaches these skills by encouraging children to think about creative solutions. But the best part of this game is that it's engaging and fun to play, and children can play in English or Spanish.

I was a bit skeptical at first, because Dawson has a short attention span and gets frustrated if he doesn't know the answer to a problem. Can-Do Zoo reinforces postive thinking, and if an incorrect answer is given, the game encourages the player to try again. After just a few moments of play, Dawson had figured out how to click a mouse, how to move the cursor across the screen, as well as learn color patterns and shape recognition.

Dawson's favorite mini-games are Pile of Leaves, Tool Shed and Paint It. I was especially impressed with his ability to name the tools such as hammer, pliers, wrench and screwdriver and the way he was able to recgonize the color patterns as he painted the Zoo's fence.

This game doesn't require internet connection so it can be played on any computer after installation. It's perfect for overnight visits at Grandma's house, too.

Bob the Builder is the #1 TV show among preschoolers, so it's no surprise that this game is tops. Can we dig it? Yes, we can! Or as Dizzy says, "Brilliant!" If you'd like to download a free trial of the game, visit the website for details.

Thanks Parent Bloggers Network and Beanstock Games for giving us the opportunity to play Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo! We love it!