Magig Maze Kids
$44.95
Magic Maze Kids at a Glance
| Game Type Fantasy Maze Cooperative Multiple Boards Real Time Play | Play Time 15 - 25 mins | Skill/Complexity (2 - 5) Light - Medium...ish |
| Age 5+ | Publisher(s) Sit Down! | Published 2018 |
| Categories Children's / 5+ Year Olds | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost Approx $44.95 | Related Magic Maze Magic Maze on Mars |
About – Description
Magic Maze “Kids” is a board game for children (ages 5 and up) that uses the same mechanisms as the original family Magic Maze version that was published in 2017. This kids version was published the following year (2018).
It’s a real time game which means that any player throughout the game can take a turn if it matches what’s needed on the board. The cooperative aspect means the children are all playing against the game and with that they’ll either win or lose together as a team (it’s all about team work).
An excellent feature of this game is the boards offer various tutorials that take players from the basics to playing with all the features and abilities. This was well thought through to help the kids learn the game rather than being thrown in the deep end with it.
Who’s it best suited for?
The recommended age group for Magic Maze is 5 and up. Most 5 year olds should grasp the game well enough when guided with an adult and using the progression of the tutorials. I would say it seems best suited for 5 – 8 year olds and reckon 8 – 10 year olds and above would find it too easy and get bored.
Magic Maze can be played with 2 – 4 players. However, we found playing with 4 is best and more fun, although 3 playing was still pretty good.
Skill/Complexity
There’s not a lot of complexity involved as it’s a kids game. The skill is in working together to see the next best move to take and who should take it.
Setting up, Basics of How to Play & Rules
In terms of putting the components together it’s fairly straight forward and takes very little time. You’ll have to put the cardboard cauldron together for the first game.
10 wooden pawns
28 cards
4 gameboards
1 sand timer
1 Cauldron standee
53 tokens
4 Action tiles
1 rulebook
The designers have done a great job with the rulebook that’s very clear and detailed.
Object of Game
Players cooperatively move Hero pawns around the board based on what’s depicted on each of the cards. This is to collect potions while on missions to turn the King back from a frog to a King again. If you collect the potions in time you all win and if not then you all lose (when using the timer restriction rule).
Basic Rules – Actions, Missions and Mechanics
Mechanics – Magic Maze is cooperative which means all players play against the game and the real time aspect allows any player to make a move at any point. Another aspect of this game is each player has variable powers and can and cannot take certain actions.
Although all Hero pawns can be moved at the same time it always seemed we moved one at a time and while playing with kids it seemed like the best way to keep the game in order.
Tutorials & Complete Games – There are 4 complete board games that can be played in order (A, B, C, D) and each of these have tutorials that introduce players to new rules and actions which enables them to learn in a progressive manner.
Missions – When you’re able to play a complete game you’ll pick up mission cards. These cards point out what must be done to collect the potions and complete that mission. If a mission is completed and that card then reveals the frog you can do the magic and stir up the cauldron, turning the frog back into the King.
Timer & Communication Rules – On the last board the timer can be introduced which is where the game can beat players. A shorter timed timer would be a great addition to use with this game as the current timer is easy to beat, although there are variations that give players less time.
The additional communication restriction rules can be used like the original Magic Maze if players choose to have a go.
That pretty much covers the meat of the game.
Here’s a great video about how to play Magic Maze Kids….
Likes & Dislikes
After learning how to play the original Magic Maze and having a ball with it we was excited and curious to see if the kids version would compare. We had to keep in mind that this version is for children aged 5 and up, so it has to be simplified.
We could see there was a lot of effort put into creating Magic Maze Kids and the fairy tale theme is perfect for children. They still kept the mechanisms of the original which played out well and having tutorials for each board was great for helping the kids progress gradually.
The main requirement was…..did the kids really enjoy it? Yes, absolutely!
Not having the timer and communication restriction aspects at the forefront of the game seemed odd at first. However, if they was then it would not work well with children.
Seemed a bit on the expensive side for a children’s game, although there are good quality components in the box and 4 boards.
Final Thoughts
A great follow on from the original Magic Maze that’s best suited for children aged 5 – years old. It feels quite unique and the designer certainly put some effort into making the game work well for children, especially with introducing rules and abilities progressively.
Magic Maze Kids gets a big thumbs up from us!
