Special thanks to The Young Scientists Club for sending this game our way for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

This week we started playing a new game, The Magic School Bust Science Explosion game, and it really wowed us! The content could not keep the attention of my 3-year-old (nor is it intended to) but she did stick around thanks to the promise of an erupting volcano! 🙂

There are actually two games included (a different board is on each side!) and you use the same playing cards but in a different way for the 2 games. We played the side that required you to collect different cards that matched the category card you had (for example, famous scientists, or weather). Each card you collect has really great information on it, without being too overwhelming.

As you collect cards, you get to move around the board and add baking soda to your beaker. After you collect 5 cards in a category, you get to cause the volanic eruption!

I’m totally adding food coloring to the vinegar next time to increase the dramatic effect. 🙂

You can play with 2 players or with 4 players, and I think in the future I’ll reserve this game for a time when my oldest and I can play just the two of us. With the 3-year-old otherwise entertained, we can spend more time exploring the great information cards and learning while we play.

After seeing the game for myself, I’m not surprised that this game has one awards from Parents’ Choice, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Creative Child. I think it is absolutely perfect for ages 6-9 (that’s my own age range, not the official one!) and it really does foster learning scientific concepts all while having fun. Every kid will want to be the one to make that volcano explode, and will keep playing the game until that happens. This game retails for $29.99.