It’s a Small World! (Timberdoodle Review)

Although we keep the basics of reading and math going all summer, my younger kids take a break from their other school subjects… unless I can find a way to sneak some teaching in without them knowing it, like I did last week with this Ravensburger puzzle globe from Timberdoodle:

The box says it’s for ages 7 to 12, but my 6 and 13 year old enjoyed it, too– and I strongly suspect their older siblings would have joined in, as well, if they’d been home at the time.

We were impressed with how nice and sturdy the puzzle pieces are. The only 3-D puzzles we’ve tried before were made with flat pieces of foam board. The globe pieces are made of durable, curved plastic that fit together perfectly.

This puzzle was a great fit for our family, because:

1. We love working puzzles
2. We love trying new things
3. We love a good challenge
4. We love learning
5. We love traveling
6. We love maps and globes
7. We love geography
8. We love pretty things

The globe really is pretty, don’t you think? I love all the detail. Not only are major countries and cities marked, but each continent is decorated with illustrations of indigenous animals and famous landmarks.

If you think it would be a headache to decide to which ocean a particular blue puzzle piece belongs, don’t be discouraged. The backs of the pieces are numbered so as to help you out if you get stumped.

Once the puzzle globe was completed, my boys asked if they could leave it assembled and use it on their desk. I told them that would be fine, although I was sort of thinking about using it myself on our entry hall table. I think it looks perfect there (especially after I spray painted the stand gold).

It reminds me a little of a gemstone globe we used to keep on that same table. A gift from my husband, that one cost a lot more than this puzzle version and was not so easily put back together when it got dropped and broken. 🙁

The Ravensburger Globe Puzzleball is available from Timberdoodle, either as a stand-alone product or as a part of their elite third grade curriculum package.