THINKFUN DEBUTS THREE MAKER CONSTRUCTION SETS FOR BUDDING ENGINEERS, MAESTRO PHILIP SHEPPARD’S SECRET FOR CREATING WORLD-CLASS COMPOSITIONS AND A TWO-PLAYER RUSH HOUR®
30th Anniversary Lineup Focuses on STEAM Skills
Toy Fair Booth 1933 – Construction sets invented by heroes of the Maker Movement, e-connected music cards from Maestro Philip Sheppard that inspire world-class composing, and the long-awaited dual play edition to an iconic traffic jam game will debut at the North American International Toy Fair as part of ThinkFun Inc.’s 2015 lineup. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, ThinkFun is the world’s leading developer of addictively fun games that build 21st century thinking skills.
“We’re on a mission to give kids an early advantage by cleverly disguising brain-building work as fun, exciting, and varied,” said Bill Ritchie, ThinkFun President and Co-Founder. “We continue to partner with the world’s greatest thinkers, track with educational trends like STEAM, and innovate consistently to ensure we wow parents, their kids, and teachers.”
ThinkFun’s new games for 2015 include:
Maker Studio™ Construction Sets, Ages 7 to adult, single or multiple builders, MSRP: $19.99 each
Designed by makers/engineers David Yakos and Parker Thomas, the three Maker Studio Construction Sets are for kids who want to “build, do and explore!” Choose from the Gears, Propellers, or Winches Sets to transform recycled household objects into working, kinetic inventions like racecars, choppers, and cranes. Once models are assembled, kids use problem-solving and creative thinking skills to tinker with their inventions and complete 10 engineering challenges. ThinkFun will be open-sourcing all parts and new expansion pieces, making them available as free downloadable 3D printing files. Available nationwide in April. Pre-order at www.thinkfun.com.
Compose Yourself™, Ages 6 to 106, single player, $14.99
Invented by world-famous composer and cellist Philip Sheppard, Compose Yourself combines musical cards and an exclusive website into a multi-sensory experience that has anyone creating, playing and sharing a world-class composition in minutes. Flip, rotate, arrange and re-order 60 transparent Music Cards to create an interesting pattern. Enter your card codes on the web site and instantly hear it played by virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie and a full symphony orchestra at historic Abbey Road Studios. You also get an mp3 audio file and sheet music to share. More than a billion possible musical combinations! Available exclusively on Amazon and ThinkFun.com in May. Watch the inventor’s story and pre-order at www.thinkfun.com.
Maestro Philip Sheppard shows off musical cards from Compose Yourself. Photo credit: Tom Bowles
Rush Hour® Shift, Ages 8 to adult, two players, MSRP: $24.99
Just like the original solo play version that has garnered 26 awards since its introduction in 1996, every move counts in this race to cross traffic. But now you have another driver to contend with in this dual-player strategy game! As you draw cards, you’ll rely on a little luck and a clever strategy to win. Should you use your turn to advance your own Hero Car or block your opponent? The potential moves are endless, and the shifting Traffic Grid adds a whole new dimension to play. Available nationwide.
Laser Maze™ Junior, Ages 6 and up, single player, MSRP: $29.99
Nominated for a Toy of the Year award in the Innovation category, the only logic game with a real laser now has a junior edition with a space theme sure to delight little rocketeers. In this science logic maze with 40 challenges, the goal is to direct the laser beam around space rocks and mirrors to power up the rocket for a safe return to earth. Available nationwide in April. Pre-order at www.thinkfun.com.
Houdini, Ages 8 to adult, single player, MSRP: $19.99
Who isn’t intrigued by the sensational escape acts of Harry Houdini? In these 40 disentanglement puzzles featuring the great illusionist in miniature, you’ll use ropes, rings and a lock to secure him and work your magic to set him free – without undoing the clasps! Available nationwide in April. Pre-order at www.thinkfun.com.
All Queens™ Chess, Ages 8 to adult, two players, MSRP: $12.99
She’s the most powerful piece in chess, and here’s a strategy game that celebrates her vertical, horizontal, and diagonal moves. Think of it as a Four-in-a-Row chess game as you outwit your opponent to get a quartet of Queens in the right lineup. The only difference is that pieces can’t be captured. Available nationwide in April. Pre-order at www.thinkfun.com.
About ThinkFun, Inc.
For 32 years, ThinkFun Inc. has been dedicated to creating games that spark curiosity, cultivate confidence, and nurture life-long learners. Our games encourage interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM), while generating excitement for a world of learning through play. Innovation, creativity, value, and fun are the four elements that comprise the development of every game. Ignite the mind, and change the world for each player.
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