Let’s Learn Carousel by Tactic Games is a fun twist on your classic matching game for 5+ year-olds, that helps support their cognitive, physical and emotional developmental skills in a cute and entertaining way. Players try and complete pictures on the carousel that match their picture discs by spinning the carousel. But care is needed as they could end up completing another player’s picture instead!
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Lets Learn Carousel is part of Tactic Games Let’s Learn range and has been developed together with Finnish teachers.. All the games in the range are designed to help with children’s development, building positive emotional experiences and joy, which encourages children’s learning and exploration. All the games are made from recycled cardboard in factories in Finland and they have been granted the FSC certificate. The Let’s Learn range covers numeracy, and literacy along with feelings, and cultures, and includes, books, games, and puzzles. I’ve added some links to the products below.
Page Contents
What’s In The Let’s Learn Carousel Box
Inside the Let’s Learn Carousel Box, you’ll find
- 5x carousel levels
- 6x center axel components (the carousel levels slot onto these)
- 8x children in fancy dress picture discs
- 8x ice cream picture discs
- 13 winner tokens
- Instruction leaflet
All of the game components need to be popped out of their cardboard moulds and then carousel needs to be built following the detailed instructions. It’s very easy to follow and you can see its construction in the reel below on my Instagram channel.
It’s made from responsibly sourced thick card, the print is clear with a lovely range of different colours being used. And a nice bonus is that the game box comes with a fun insert that could be used as a play mat for imaginative play.
Aim Of The Game
The aim of the game is to win tokens by creating a full carousel image that matches a player’s own picture card. The player with the most tokens at the end of the game wins
More 5+ year Old Game Reviews
If you like this review then you may also be interested in our review of the following other board, card and tabletop games that include Doodle Doo, Kingdomio and Shake Off.
Game Play Set Up
The game setup is quick and easy.
- First players decide which side of the carousel is going to be played (the colourful characters in the fancy dress carousel side are easier to identify and play with than the ice-cream side which is more subtle with its differences).
- The 13 tokens are placed in the cup at the top of the carousel.
- The picture discs that match the chosen side are shuffled and one is dealt to each player. The remaining picture discs are placed in a stack face down near the carousel so that players can easily take a new one when needed.
- The carousel levels are then shuffled by spinning each level (none of the pictures should be formed before play).
- Then play begins
There are variations on how to use and play Lets Learn Carousel at the bottom of the page).
How To Play Let’s Learn Carousel
As mentioned the aim of the game is to win tokens by creating a full carousel image that matches a player’s own picture card.
- To play, players take turns to spin one of the levels on the carousel.
- If the player makes a complete image that matches their picture disc they take a token from the cup on top of the carousel, place their picture disc in the discard pile and pick up a new picture disc. Then the next player has a turn.
- If the complete image matches another player’s picture disc, that player collects a token and then discards their picture disc and selects a new one.
- If no complete image is created on the carousel no-one gets a token and the next player takes their turn.
- The winner is the player to have collected the most tokens.
Using The Carousel
- To spin the carousel players firmly hold the cup with one hand and spin the wheel with the other.
- The Carousel must move at least two notches around for the spin to be valid.
- If the Carousel stops and the notches are misaligned the player can choose which way to move that level to line up the notches.
Younger kids may have some trouble turning the carousel to start with, but the three levels move very freely and as the saying goes “practice makes perfect”!
What Did We Think Of Let’s Learn Carousel?
I really liked Let’s Learn Carousel. It’s challenging, educational, and fun to play with lots of flexibility. Kids get to develop their matching, memory, and observational skills whilst playing. Along with practicing other skills like teamwork, critical thinking, logic, fine motor, patience etc. Plus, it encourages players to take turns and work together whether that be waiting to have their turn, helping a friend get a token, or working as a team.
Naturally, the carousel is the focal fun feature of the game and some children will enjoy playing and interacting with it on their own. It’s wonderfully tactile and adds an element of excitement and suspense, as there is a mix of tactical decision-making and luck to the spin. Although this could work against the game if players get frustrated at not being able to complete a picture or make another player’s picture by mistake.
Thankfully there are lots of alternative ways to play the game (see the end of this post) that allow parents/teachers the ability to adapt the game to suit particular needs.
There is a skill to spinning the different levels of the carousel so younger kids may need some help. And you could bring a little additional science into the educational element of the game; The smaller wheel needs less energy (or a lighter flick with the finger) to spin than the bigger wheel. So children need to think and learn how to adjust the strength they use to spin the different carousel levels.
As well as being easy it is to learn and play, the game is also nice and compact. It doesn’t require a lot of space to play. It’s main requirement is a flat surface big enough for the carousel. And more importantly, it doesn’t need an adult to help set it up or play it with friends and siblings (depending on the mix of children involved).
The game itself is very well made with high-quality materials being used for both the storage box and playing pieces. The components themselves are a lovely size and thickness to hold. And the illustrations are colourful, engaging, and fun with nice clear printing. A bonus is the inside box sleeve that comes out and could be used in imaginative play.
Let’s Learn Carousel Alternative Play Suggestions
Here are some alternative ways to play Let’s Play Carousel:
- Find The Picture (younger kids): Spin the carousle and when you complete a picture locate the disc and add it to your pile. The player with the most picture discs wins
- Cooperative game: Instead of playing competitively, players could work together to match all of the characters and objects on the carousel.
- Co-operative Team Game: Like above; players could work together to match all of the characters and objects on the carousel. The first team to match all of the characters and objects on their picture discs (or all of the picture discs) wins the game.
- Speed game (solo game): This is like a skills practice mode where a player can time how long it takes to match all of the characters (or ice cream). With each game try and beat your previous time.
- Memory game: Place the picture discs image up and allow players to have a good look at them and where they are located. Next, flip the discs over so the picture can’t be seen. Players then spin each level of the carousel once, and if they complete a picture, players try to remember where that disc is and flip the chosen picture disc over. If it matches their complete image they get a token. The picture disc is flipped back over and the game resumes until all tokens have been taken. The player with the most tokens wins.
These are just a few ideas for alternative ways to play Let’s Play Carousel. If you come up with any other creative ways to play the game do let me know and I’ll add them here for others to find.