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Being a blogger I’m constantly tied to computer screens. It could be my computer, tablet, or smartphone, but either way it seems I’m always looking at a screen. It can get exhausting, and while I wouldn’t say that I don’t use my brain during those times it can in many ways be mind numbing. When I get a break I often want break from all types of screens. I don’t want to play games on my tablet and I don’t want to watch the television. That’s where FlipStir comes into the picture.
What is FlipStir?
In this day and age it’s almost hard to find activities that don’t require looking at a screen. Everywhere you look people are playing games and participating in activities on their computers or mobile devices. FlipStir on the other hand is a fun activity that doesn’t require a screen. Better yet the products are one person based, so you don’t need to worry about finding someone that will play with you as is the case with most games.
I was given a chance to review two different FlipStir products. I can’t say that that I’m good at all types of activities that can work your brain (please don’t make me do a crossword puzzle!), but I like to think that I’m pretty good at them and I do enjoy trying them out. When the FlipStir products first arrived though I wasn’t sure how I’d do. Basically FlipStir is a puzzle in a jar. At the top of the jar is a little knob that is connected to a moveable stick inside the jar. Your goal is to put the puzzle together by shaking the pieces in the jar and by using the stick to help move them and get them into place. That didn’t sound, or even really look, too easy to me. The boxes each showed a ranking for the difficulty of the puzzle. The ranking are from one to five. I got to review a level 1 and a level 2.
Trying out the FlipStir
The first day that I worked on the puzzles I started with the level 1 jar. I was actually able to get a few pieces together. I was quite proud of myself. Before I could work on it anymore though Nick decided that he wanted a turn. He’s too young to be able to actually figure out the puzzle (they’re made for ages 7 and up), but it actually kept him occupied for a few minutes while he desperately tried to pull the stick out of the jar.
A few days later I had more time to sit down and really try them out. I started with the level 1 puzzle first again. I worked at it for some time. A few times I’d be on a roll when something would happen and my puzzle would fall apart. You think figuring out how to put the puzzle together would be hard, but watching your work fall apart is the worst! I was not about to give up though. I knew I could master the puzzle, and sure enough I did! I was so proud of myself. I was at my mom’s house at the time and I took it to her, to show her that I had mastered it, and my comment was, “look who rocks!”
With the first puzzle done I was bound and determined to put the second, and harder, puzzle together as well. Truthfully I finished the second puzzle faster than the first! I think part of it might be because I had already gotten into the groove with the first puzzle. I had thought that since the pieces in the second one were wavy instead of flat that it would be harder, but they actually made it easier for me because the pieces sort of locked into place and stayed together better. The picture of the second puzzle was harder though. Either way I was still proud of myself.
My Thoughts on the FlipStir
Personally I really liked playing with the puzzles. I thought I would have a really hard time, and I was worried that I’d be frustrated, but I wasn’t. Truthfully I wanted to play with them again as soon as I was done solving the puzzles!
There are a lot of things to like about FlipStir. First, all of the puzzle pieces are kept inside a jar, so you never have to worry about loosing any. I also like that once you’re done playing it’s easy to mix the pieces back up to play again. I suppose in a few ways the puzzles might get a tiny bit easier, but they continue to be a good brain workout. A huge part of the game is figuring out the strategy, and how the pieces end up, and the moves that you make will change every time.
My family is full of people that like to fiddle and play with things, so as soon as I saw these I knew they’d be a hit with my family. I’m sure that one of my uncles in particular would love them. I plan to take them with me on Easter so my family members can have a chance trying them out. I think everyone is going to have a really good time playing with them!
Do you think you would have fun with the FlipStir?
 Discolsure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Enlivenze. All opinions are 100% mine.
This looks like such a fun toy. My kids would love this for long car rides
What a neat new puzzle concept!
Isn’t it neat? I grew up in a family that loved to put puzzles together, but this takes them to a whole new level!
I am terrible at this type of thing, but my kids are experts. This is a really clever game to build your brain muscle!
My kids would love this! They always lose puzzle pieces and then wind up frustrated. This would be perfect.
I loved that concept too. It can be so easy to lose pieces, and there’s no fun of putting a puzzle together if you’re missing pieces. That’s just frustrating.
What an interesting idea for a puzzle. I can see how this would be great for learning and improving your puzzle solving skills. I also see this good to pull out on a long car drive. 🙂
They would be great for car trips. Having a few of them would be good too so everyone can pass them around and change the one they’re working on.
What an interesting concept. I like that it’s a brain teaser and a puzzle all in one. And the fact that it all stays in a jar is a huge hit.
It’s one of those products where you think, “that’s so cool. Why didn’t I think of that?” LOL
Those do sound fun! And I think my favorite part would be that it’s self-contained so the pieces don’t go missing, especially with little hands around.
Yeah, you have to be careful of those little hands. They’ll grab something so fast you don’t even notice!
How fun is this?! It kind of reminds me a modern take on a rubik’s cube. This would make a super fun stocking stuffer or Christmas gift (going to have to remember this one). I love that it’s a real puzzle and doesn’t involve a phone. Thanks for sharing!
It made me think of a Rubik’s cube too! I must say it was easier than one though. I can never solve one of those.
That sounds like a lot of fun! Great coffee table game to leave out for when you have a few minutes.