For some kids (or those of us adults with journalism degrees), math can be a tricky subject to learn. Counting, shapes, and numbers can get frustrating or confusing. However, with the new Disney Imagicademy Math World app and Mickey’s Rocket Builder Smart Toy, preschoolers ages 3 and up can start grasping those concepts with ease, sparking a lifetime interest in STEM learning.
The Disney Imagicademy Math World app, from Disney Publishing, teaches kids tons of basic math skills with some of their favorite Disney friends, such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. The app begins with a brief intro where we learn that Mickey and his friends will be in charge of running different parts of an alien resort, Space Oasis, on another planet. Kids then go through the resort and help Mickey and his friends keep things running smoothly by completing different math challenges.
Each game in Math World must be purchased separately, but there is a “Try Me” option to test them out first. Each game takes kids through different tasks, such as building robots and flying rockets, which reinforce skills such as counting, numbers, and shapes.
The Disney Imagicademy Mickey’s Rocket Builder Smart Toy, from KIDdesigns, adds even more Disney outer space fun to the app. The toy itself features a rocket base with Mickey as the pilot, and 20 pieces for kids to create their own rocket. They can mix and match the pieces to form more than 1,000 different combinations, so their imagination has no limit. The pieces are big and chunky for easy building, and each different part connects with a specific shape, so that kids know whether it’s a wing, tail, base, or nose.
This smart toy teaches kids to experiment with shapes and very early programming skills. Different pieces create different sound effects from the rocket, so kids can mix and match and see what happens. When they press down on Mickey, he helps out with the mission, and when they press down on the alien passenger button they can pick up aliens to drive around. As they pick up aliens, Mickey counts out loud to reinforce counting skills.
When kids connect their toy to the app, the custom toy that they have built will appear on-screen. They can fly their rocket in different virtual environments, modify their creation “on the fly” to solve challenges, and save their digital rocket for virtual missions and races. This toy really allows kids to learn the value of programming, and how it can merge the digital and physical worlds.
With those like these, it’s tough not to get your little Disney lover fascinated in math as they go on a fun outer space adventure with Mickey. They may be building a plastic rocket ship now, but they’re building up the foundation of STEM skills that will help them through life.
