The Nutcracker Music Game

The Nutcracker Computer Game
Games, Puzzles & Much More
by Art & Music Games
Awards: Parent's Choice Gold Award, NAPPA Gold Awad, Parenting Seal of Approval & others

A magical adventure that celebrates music by challenging kids through interactive participation and exciting game play.

My Thoughts:
Recently I installed The Nutcracker Music Game which is a computer game that challenges kids through interactive puzzles, musical tones and the use of music that our kids are familiar with. The interactive games are accessed through a variety of "rooms and each room must be completed in order to earn one of several keys used to complete the game. 

I run a daycare and one of my 7 year old's in particular was interested in this game. In fact, I can't get her to play other computer games for as long as she'll sit and play with this one. I don't think she has been exposed to the classics much yet. Hailey must use both visual and auditory clues in each different segment and while she doesn't really know many of the instruments nor the sounds they make I could see her gaining confidence and understanding. (It doesn't help that she is a little off key either.) 

I played it a bit after Hailey went home and although I grew up playing several instruments (cello, bass and piano) and was exposed to a strong musical program at school & church I didn't do to badly. I did have some issues with some of the tones (I have a very old computer and the sound is a bit off) but managed to get a couple of the keys fairly fast. I loved the instrument matching game where you match the sound an instrument makes and the shape of the instrument. As you correctly match them up the instrument and the artist appear on the stage and play their portion of The Nutcracker. The trivia game was another of my favorites. I managed to get quite a lot of those correct. The only one I didn't care for was the distortion room which was similar to the "funny" mirror in the circus only this time it's portions of songs that are distorted and you have to figure out which song it matches.

All in all - I loved this game and I would of loved playing it as a kid. They have several other games available and I'd love to invest in them for the daycare (yeah right). I'd particularly love to see these: Mozart's Magic Flute Music Game and Discover Bach! 

You can purchase The Nutcracker Game online for $19.95 (click here). It's a great overview of the different instruments in the Orchestra, children learn about different composers and the music they created and also how different parts make whole within the score. I give it several thumbs up!

There are different packages you might be interested in for stocking stuffers:

• Misha's Nutcracker  book by Roman Yakub    $15.95
• Misha's Nutcracker  book + FREE Nutcracker Music Game $22.95
• Misha's Nutcracker  book + Nutcracker Music Game + FREE London Symphony's Nutcracker Ballet Music CD $29.95

WIN IT:
Enter the giveaway for The Nutcracker Music Game starting 12/1/12 right here on CCB! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Nutcracker Music Game to use on my computer. I was not required to have a positive review and no money exchanged hands. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.