Knot So Fast


I have a houseful of competitive boys ~ my husband included. So, when I had the opportunity to review Think Fun Knot So Fast Game, I was game! In fact, I chose to review Knot So Fast for the educational value that it would bring to our home ~ I have the hardest time practicing knots and really hoped that it would help motivate us and make learning this important skill, well, fun!

About Knot So Fast ~

Game Includes:
  • Tug-o-war Scorekeeper
  • 4 Ropes
  • 4 Rings
  • 30-second Timer
  • 40 Challenge Cards
  • Instruction Manual

How to Play:
  • Select a Challenge Card from the deck 
  • Race to tie the knot.

  • The first to tie the knot scores a point.
  • Track points on the Tug-o-war Scorekeeper.
  • Pull the rope to your side to win!
He sees that his brother has completed the challenge . . .
but he keeps tying!
What's cool is that once a player ties his knot, he turns the timer over. The opponent then has 30 seconds to tie the knot to lessen his opponents score, who gets 2 points if he can't do it, but only one if he can. This motivates the player to not give up!

He does it! 

If you think that your opponent's knot is incorrect, you can challenge it by calling out "knot so fast!"

Timberdoodle price: $17.25

What I love ~

Each knot is categorized by level:
  • Beginner (this is where we began!)
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • Expert
And further categorized by function:
  • Stopper Knots
  • Bindings
  • Bends
  • Hitches
  • Loops
  • Decorative Knots
And each knot has a "Fun Fact" which tells how the knot is used. For example, this is one for an advanced hitch knot:
"If you are fishing with a lure instead of a worm, use an Improved Clinch Knot to secure the lure on your line."
Several game variations are given in the instruction manual. My favorite one is "Level the Playing Field." Since some are naturally better at tying knots or more experienced, you can level the playing field by having them use their own challenge cards instead of competing to tie the same knot. Which means, this game will be fun for beginners and more advanced players.

Why the boys like it:
  • "very competitive"
  • "get's your adrenaline going"
  • "makes you think and think quick ~ because you have to"
  • "the tug-o-war concept to keep score is cool"
Reef Knot

Jordan says: "I could see this getting played a lot ~ especially in a tournament with Pop (their dad)."

The only thing I did not like about the game is that there is no easy way to set up the challenge card. Since the picture is on both sides, we drew from the bottom of the pile.

I did a preparedness course with my children over the course of 18 months and the one thing we slacked on was knot tying. For us, there was no easy way to commit to learning all those knots ~ how to tie them and remember what they are used for. This makes it not only fun, but helps us with an important skill ~ which earns this learning game a two thumbs up from our family.

Check out Timberdoodle for a wonderful selection of homeschool supplies, including educational games. They offer a free catalog for homeschoolers and my kids love to look through it and circle and initial all the things they are interested in ~ this helps me with ideas for gifts and curriculum.   

Disclosure: As a member of Timberdoodle's Blogger Review Team I received a free copy of Knot So Fast in exchange for a frank and unbiased review.

7 comments

  1. Looks like fun, but I would probably nix the competition part and just learn to tie knots from it. My boys would like that.

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  2. What a neat way to learn an important skill!

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  3. I saw that in a magazine for the first time the other day and wondered about it! Thanks for the review!

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  4. I just had to tell you--great review. You are such a good writer! My guys are loving this game, and I think I'll take it and learn some knots, myself:)

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  5. Linked your review to my review :) We enjoyed this game!

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  6. Thanks Heather! I pulled several challenges out last night by myself and tried to tie a few ~ only way I can keep up with these boys! :D

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  7. I love it! I can see my boys really getting in to that one. Thanks for the great review.

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