Honest parent Osmo review for homeschool and learning at home: interactive, hands-on play that can be used as a supplement to homeschool lessons or a stand alone learning tool for spelling games online, Osmo math games that are fun, geography games map, creative play and MORE game school. We’ll cover FAQs like Osmo guide to kits, Detective Agency reviews, Genius Kit for iPad, Osmo genius kit vs creative kit and more starting with young learners and up! Is Osmo worth it questions answered with our complete comparison buying guide and parent game reviews!
OSMO REVIEW FOR HOMESCHOOL:
Osmo Reviews, Comparisons, Recommendations From a Parent Who Uses It for At Home Learning
Can we get real because I want to talk to you about the Osmo Learning Game System — legit one of the best educational tools we’ve purchased thus far!
It TRULY helped my kid learn and even changed how she learns (including some issues she was having in specific learning areas–more on that in a bit!).
If you’re looking for good technology activities for kids, this is it! You’ll definitely want to add Osmo learning to your to at-home education!
[DON’T MISS MY PERSONAL PARENT OSMO REVIEW LATER IN THE POST AND HOW IT HELPED MY DAUGHTER.]
What Is An Osmo?
Osmo is a learning game system that you use with a tablet or phone. It allows children to combine digital play and technology with real-world learning and play. Once you have the Osmo Base, you can add multiple different games that cover areas like math, spelling, art, music, coding, geography, Osmo Detective Kit and more for learning fun!
The learning-based games will encourage learning without your child even realizing it!
It’s a great additional learning tool for reading, art, and even STEM / STEAM.
(Keep scrolling for my full homeschool parent Osmo game review!)
Is Osmo safe for kids?
Yes! Osmo is a safe learning option for kids. Children can only access the games that you purchase to use for the Osmo and cannot connect online with others.
What age group is Osmo for?
Most of the listed age ranges fall within the 4-12 year old range for Osmo Kits and Osmo games (so it covers young children to older children). However, there are kids older than 12 who will find the games entertaining and helpful depending on their stage of learning. So, the Osmo age range can be a little older, depending on your child’s learning needs and interests.
(I’m more for looking at a child’s learning level and interest than their age.)
There is also now an Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit (“Osmo Junior” or Little Genius Kit) that’s specifically for younger ages of 3-5 and works on preschool skills like letters, numbers, fine motor skills and more with bright colors and learning pieces.
(We’ll cover the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit review in more detail later in the post, so don’t miss it if you have little kids or CLICK to learn more about it right now if you can’t wait!)
Is Osmo for iPad worth it?
The Osmo for iPad (and other tablets) is an investment, especially if you don’t already have an iPad or other tablet. However, the benefit of Osmo is that it covers a variety of age ranges and learning topics — from math, spelling, music, geography, and more — making it a gaming system that will grow through many years and topics with your child. It makes the investment well worth it and will pay for itself many times over with everything you get and the number of years you get to use it.
If you’re in a hurry and want to get right to it:
That #1 pick is an excellent Osmo starter kit (and the one we started with).
You can’t go wrong with it because the kit comes with the starter base and several of the learning game accessories that will cost much more if you purchase them separately. (check the current price and see reviews here)
Also, don’t miss the Osmo organizer that we talk about later in the post!
✅ What are the best Osmo games? [Updated 2022]
When it comes to Osmo kits and Osmo games with the BEST REVIEWS, these are the top 5 best Osmo options to choose from for your kid. Any of them are great choices for your at-home learning.
Best Osmo Tools:
-
Osmo Genius Kit (INFO PAGE)
-
Osmo Creative Kit (INFO PAGE)
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Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit (INFO PAGE)
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Osmo Monster Game (Base required) (INFO PAGE)
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Osmo Numbers Game (Base required) (INFO PAGE)
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Osmo Coding Jam Game (Base required) (INFO PAGE – available in bundle now)
New Games For Osmo
New Osmo Games 2022 and Recent Additions to Osmo:
• Osmo Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop: Described as a “curriculum inspired STEM toy” that covers addition and subtraction.
• Osmo Math Wizard and The Amazing Airships Games: Fun game for maths multiplication.
(If you’re looking for Osmo new math games, these are cool options and cover learning addition, subtraction and multiplication!)
TIP: You can sometimes find an Osmo Bundle that can save you money and includes Osmo Math Wizard and The Enchanted World Games and The Amazon Airships, etc.
• Osmo Math Wizard and the Secrets of the Dragons: This new addition to games for Osmo covers measurement and estimating by using a hands-on math adventure using Dragon Reserve to complete your Dragon Guidebook. (How fun!)
• Osmo – Math Wizard and The Fantastic Food Truck Co: Learning geometry with a food truck business. Create customers orders using geometric shapes and math.
• Little Genius Costume Pieces: I love this recent Osmo game addition because it’s a sweet way for imaginary play. Kids create different characters with different costumes that can then be transported into the Osmo base on different scenery.
• Osmo Little Genius Sticks & Rings: Colorful pieces are used to practice shapes, letters, and even make your own creations.
The Osmo Costume Pieces and Osmo Sticks and Rings are also bundled together as the Little Genius Starter Kit, too and may save you some money buying that way.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR OSMO
What do I need to play Osmo Games?
To play with an Osmo, your kid will need:
- Tablet (Osmo iPad or Kindle Fire) or iPhone for Osmo mobile
- Osmo Base (it’s the red piece – make sure you get the one that is for your device!)
- One of the Osmo Games (or a kit that comes with the games)
- Wifi/Internet Connection (for the setup)
What is an Osmo base?
The Osmo base is what converts your phone or tablet to the device to play any of the Osmo device games, toys, and learning activities. There is a different red reflector base depending on the type of tablet you will be using.
Let’s start with the Osmo explorer starter kit explanations…
✅Comparing Osmo Kits
What are Osmo kits?
Osmo kits are packaged with what you need to get started playing the Osmo.
You just need to add the tablet of your choice (not included with any Osmo purchase).
These are the current complete Osmo Kits that come with games plus the base:
- Osmo Genius Kit (INFO PAGE)
- Osmo Creative Kit (INFO PAGE)
- Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit (INFO PAGE)
- Osmo Hot Wheels MindRacers Kit (INFO PAGE)— Osmo Hot Wheels currently unavailable and looks to be discontinued
Osmo Genius Kit vs Creative Kit
A common question is what’s the difference between the Osmo Genius Kit vs Creative Kit?
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Osmo Genius Kit Reviews
The Osmo Genius Kit is kind of like a starter pack and is a best seller Osmo pack.
It’s a great place to start if you’re new to Osmo products and games (and it will save you money over buying things separately).
The best thing about the Genius Kit is that it comes with the Osmo Base
(which you must have to use any Osmo game).
REMEMBER: You want to get the Osmo Genius Kit for iPad or Osmo Genius Kit for Kindle to get the correct base. So, pay attention when you purchase!
The Osmo Genius Kit comes with with five games:
- Numbers (for math)
- Words (for spelling)
- Tangram Game with tangible pieces (Encourages visual thinking)
- Newton (problem solving)
- Masterpiece (creative drawing)
Then, you can gradually add other games (like we have been doing over the past 2+ years) for increased learning and fun!
This really is the fun learning gift that keeps on giving and that’s always a good thing.
Good for: Ages 5-12+
Osmo Creative Kit Reviews
The Osmo Creative Kit is good for your little creators who especially like to draw, doodle, and create.
This Osmo Kit comes with a base and also:
- Monster drawing: which brings your creations to life (yes, it’s super cool!)
- Masterpiece: creative art and drawing
- Newton: doodles and problem solving
- Dry-erase markers,
- Fuzzy eraser pouch
- Creative Board (write-on/wipe-off)
Good for: Ages 4-12
Should You Start with Osmo Creative Kit vs Genius Kit?
First, there’s sometimes confusion over the kits.
There is no Osmo Creative Genius Kit.
It is either an Osmo Creative Kit OR an Osmo Genius Kit.
The Osmo Genius Kit and the Osmo Creative Kit are both fantastic choices from the Osmo family of products.
If you’re looking for a product that will allow you to try out a wide variety of games that covers math, spelling, art and more, then go for the Osmo Genius Kit.
If your child is more into art and drawing over other things, then try the Osmo Creative Kit.
Let’s start with the Osmo Little Genius review…
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit
This addition to the Osmo family is the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit, problem solving and creativity for preschool (ages 3-5+), and they call it the Osmo Preschool Starter Kit.
With this Preschool Osmo Kit you’ll get:
- Technology geared toward the youngest Osmo age group (preschool)
- ABC letter formation
- Use Squiggle Magic to create pictures, letters, numbers, and more with sticks and rings
- Use the Costume Party Osmo game to dress and feed a character
- Stories app to bring animals to life for letter learning, creative stories, and problem solving
- Ability to track progress on the parenting app
What comes with the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit?
- Base for iPad
- 19 cardboard pretend play costume pieces
- 38 silicone sticks/rings (BPA Free and Dishwasher Safe) to practice letter forming
- Silicone game play mat
- Stackable storage for game pieces
- 4 Game Apps: ABCs, Costume Party, Stories, and Squiggle Magic.
Good for ages 3-5+
Osmo Hot Wheels MindRacers Kit-CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AND MAY BE DISCONTINUED
The Osmo Hot Wheels MindRacers Kit is one of the newer additions to the Osmo family of products. It brings the physical Hot Wheels to life in the digital world for revving and racing!
This kit comes with the base as well as:
- Masterpiece: creative art and drawing
- Newton: doodles and problem solving
- MindRacers launchpad
- 6 Hot Wheels cars
- 32 game tokens (which are used to “Anticipate, React, and Strategize for winning results”
- Car and token storage
Good for: Ages 7+
Available Osmo Games
Osmo Monster Game
The Osmo Monster Game is a drawing game with monsters.
You draw on the included white board and then your monster comes to life on screen.
(It really is cool!)
Good for: Ages 4-12
Osmo Super Studio
The Osmo Super Studio games are perfect for your little artists where they will learn to draw and create with some of their favorite Disney characters.
Then, your kids can watch their creations come to life on the screens!
The Osmo Super Studio games include:
-
Osmo Super Studio Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends [INFO PAGE]
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Osmo Super Studio Disney Princess [INFO PAGE]
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Osmo – Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 [INFO PAGE]
- Osmo Super Studio Learn to Draw Your Favorite Incredibles 2 Characters [INFO PAGE]—currently unavailable and may be discontinued
Good for: Ages 5-9+
Osmo Video: Detective Agency
Osmo Detective Agency
The Osmo Detective Agency game is a super fun geography learning game.
Kids will use their detective sleuth skills to figure out different puzzles.
(THINK: Search-and-find, except in digital form.)
The game takes you around the world to different countries and cities, where you learn about the city, landmarks, and cultures while solving mysteries.
Osmo Detective Agency comes with:
- 1 Magnifying Glass
- 6 City maps
- 1 Osmo Town map
- 1 world map
- 1 map holder
Good for: Ages 5-12
Osmo Detective Agency Review [UPDATE]
It lists the ages for Osmo Detective Agency as 5-12.
I’ve gotten a lot of emails asking if this game is too young for the 10-12 year old range.
My daughter got this game when she was almost 11 years old and still really enjoyed it. She loved learning about the different geographical areas.
My daughter is also one of those people who naturally loves learning and has an interest in things.
However, if your child is pretty tech-savvy and plays a lot of video games OR already knows a lot about geography, they mind find this game less challenging after a few tries and may play it less after the first time.
Osmo Pizza Co. Game
The Osmo Pizza Company Game is a fun way to practice math skills!
Your kids will get to run their own pizza shop, make pizzas, take money and make change for orders, and gain an understanding of profits and losses.
The game comes with:
- Double-sided cardboard pizza and tray
- Pizza toppings
- Money pieces
- Stackable storage container
Good for: Ages 5-12
Now, let’s get to the Osmo Coding app review…
Osmo Coding Awbie Game Bundle
The Osmo Coding Awbie Game has been called “Lego for coding.” They now have a bundle that includes Coding Jam, Coding Awbie, Coding Duo.
In the game, kids use different colored blocks to code what Awbie, the online character, will do in his magical world.
Awbie can walk, run, jump, pick strawberries and more!
(It’s a PERFECT additional to your educational toys!)
Kids will learn
- Coding skills
- Problem solving
- Computational thinking
You will need the Osmo system base and the Osmo coding toys (that come in a bundle now).
Good for: Ages 5-9+
Osmo Coding Jam Game
With Osmo Coding Jam, your kids get a fun and easy-to-understand introduction to coding, but in musical form!
Here’s how the game works:
You place different colored blocks into different patterns and sequences to create music for melodies, drum beats, and even make original compositions with different characters.
You can watch (and listen!) to your newly coded music come alive on the screen!
Kids learn how to re-work the “coding” until they get exactly the beats and songs they want.
Good for: Ages 5-9+
Coding Jam vs Coding Awbie vs Coding Duo
The difference between Coding Jam and Coding Awbie is that Jam focuses on music and Awbie is coding for basic things (like games), but they both use the same coding tile principles. Coding Duo uses blocks from Coding Jam and Coding Awbie to solve puzzles alone or with others! They are all bundled together now in an Osmo Kit and is so much fun for older kids and young kids!
Osmo Numbers Game
The Osmo Numbers Game allows kids to practice math skills like counting, adding, subtracting, and multiplying with various games.
Practice math in order to pop bubbles or use math to build an aquarium (and more)!
It’s a fun, interactive way to learn math skills or keep math skills current.
And, I love that this Osmo game comes with number tiles and also “dice” tiles for counting recognition.
Good for: Ages 5-12
. It comes with both the Osmo Base and the Osmo Numbers Game.
Personal Osmo Review For Homeschool and Parent Experience: How Osmo Learning System Helped My Daughter
Is Osmo good for homeschooling?
Osmo is great for homeschooling and as an after-school supplemental learning tool. You can use it in conjunction with a homeschool curriculum, or even as a complete course subject (like for coding or geography) to customize your homeschool lessons.
Osmo helped with spelling.
My daughter struggles with spelling, so I’m always looking for creative ways to incorporate spelling into our learning.
(Straight up word list memorization and spelling tests do not work for her.)
I was so excited to see that Osmo has a fun game to practice spelling.
The Osmo Genius Kit comes with something called Words.
Words is a game that includes tiles of letters. Then, you use the letter tiles to spell words.
Sounds boring?
Nope, not even a little.
The Words game flashes up a picture and you have to spell what’s in the picture within the allotted time by throwing the tiles in front of the viewer so that it reads the letters.
The fun really comes in when you challenge someone else.
My daughter and I have had a lot of fun playing this game (and it gets really crazy because it’s timed).
Bonus?
She’s getting better at spelling (and how to think quickly to spell words) and she doesn’t even realize it!
✅Tip: You can now buy the Osmo Words Genius Words Tiles game separately!
Osmo made math fun (and way less stressful).
Osmo Numbers Gameis a fun and interesting way to practice math, including counting, addition, multiplication, and other number games.
Numbers comes with number tiles and also tiles that look like dice.
✅TIP: Numbers comes with Osmo Genius Kit, so you don’t need to buy it separately if you get the kit. However it is available separately if you already have the base.
If you get the Genius Kit, it also comes with Tangram for strategic visual thinking and Newton for problem solving.
We also added Osmo Pizza Co. Game to our Osmo library of games.
This is a game where you run a pizza business, but it helps with addition, subtraction, fractions, strategic thinking, and more.
I was actually worried it might be too young for my daughter, but she said it is really challenging and fun.
(She was 11 when she got this, if you need an age reference.)
Osmo encourages creativity with art and music.
If you’re worried that it’s all tech learning and too much screen time, don’t!
Some of the favorite things that my kid does with her Osmo include art and music—moving it from just STEM learning into STEAM learning for kids!
With Osmo, your kids can create or trace drawings or, with the Osmo Creative Kit with Monster Game, your kids can create their own drawings and have it transferred into the Osmo and used by the monster in the game!
Your kids can see their creations come to life right before their eyes.
(It is pretty amazing!)
My daughter also gets creative with music by using Osmo Coding Game Bundle
.
She gets to make interesting and fun music by using basic computer coding concepts (a 2-for-1 learning!).
This is definitely one of her favorites from the Osmo collection.
Osmo introduces computer coding.
A few months ago, my daughter showed a big interest in coding after doing some coding stuff online.
So, adding the Osmo Coding Game (that I talked about in the previous section) was a great learning tool for us.
Just from being introduced to coding on Osmo, my daughter has now taken and in-person coding class and regularly codes on her own!
What a great tech skill to have today!
Osmo helps make geography interesting.
UPDATE: One year since writing the original part of this post and she’s STILL using her Osmo! She’s been having A LOT of fun with geography learning with the Osmo Detective Agency.
In fact, we just added this Osmo family addition for new skills: Osmo Detective Agency
I was excited to see this Osmo release because this year we’re really getting into more world geography, so I think adding this to our Osmo collection will be fun and helpful!
From Osmo on Detective Agency:
Run your own detective Agency – an innovative pretend play experience for kids that combines a classic search-and-find game with digital fun.
Solve mysteries in famous cities around the world, including Paris, new York, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, and Cairo!
Learn about geography, landmarks, and local culture! Bring observation skills and critical thinking into play, as you connect the dots and unravel the mystery!
Use your magnifying glass and maps to search hundreds of hidden clues!
Osmo promotes physical play learning.
Every Osmo game games with physical pieces and physical objects for real world play. It’s not just an online game where your kids are wasting hours in front of the iPad or tablet. They’re fun games systems with play pieces, which is a great way to learn!
Is Osmo worth the money?
From our personal experience in using Osmo for homeschool and at-home learning (as well as a fun gaming system), it is well worth the money because the games level up and grow with your child with an advancing difficulty level. It’s a fun interactive educational tool to help grow and practice different skills and is much better than a ton of different educational apps downloaded on your phone or tablet that aren’t high quality!
Osmo Tablets
If you’re looking for the offerings specific to your tablet or phone, then you’ll love this section! We’ve broken down the Osmo kits and bases by tablet type.
Find your tablet type and go from there!
Osmo for iPad
Here are the Osmo kits and games that are for iPad:
Osmo for Kindle Fire
Osmo for iPhone
Osmo Accessories: Osmo Organizer
Storage Organizer Case for Osmo Genius Kit
Once you have the Osmo and all of its different tiles and game pieces, you’ll definitely want a way to keep the pieces together and safe.
There are no osmo replacement pieces (you’ll have to re-order the games if you want new pieces), so you’ll want to have your kids take special care and this Osmo organizer case will really help!
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL OSMO STORAGE CASE
Also…
Grab this affordable storage Osmo organizer case for the Osmo Genius Kit.
It has room for the tiles and game pieces, as well as the Osmo base!
It’s also great for travel
There’s also a storage case that fits the Creative Kit.
If you want a bigger Osmo kits organizer, try this one.
✅OUR RECOMMENDATION TO GET YOU STARTED WITH OSMO
Your Osmo FAQs ANSWERED!
Will Osmo work with any tablet?
You may be wondering what does Osmo work with or what is Osmo compatible with? Osmo works with:
- Kindle Fire Tablet
- iPad
- iPhone
Does Osmo work on Kindle?
Does Osmo only work with iPad or does Osmo work with Fire tablet? Well, we have some great news because Osmo now also works with the Kindle Fire Tablet! If you have a Kindle Fire Tablet, be sure to select the Kit or Base for the Kindle Fire Tablet.
Is there an Osmo for Android? (Is Osmo compatible with Samsung? / Can Osmo be used on a Samsung tablet?)
There is not currently an Osmo Base for Samsung / Android, so Osmo Kits and Games are not compatible with and won’t work on Android right now and you won’t find an Osmo Genius Kit for Android (as of the updating of this post, but I’ll update it if Osmo Android becomes available). As of this update, there are no plans for an Android Osmo game kit.
(You can keep an eye on the Osmo website for any announcements on this, too.)
Can you use Osmo on multiple devices?
YES. You can use the Osmo app on multiple devices for different player profiles. That way, the gaming systems can be shared and your kids can retain all their information under their specific profile.
Can you use Osmo with a case?
No, Osmo games are not compatible with your tablet or phone case. So, you will need to remove your tablet (or phone) from the case in order to use it with the Osmo base.
You may see Osmo cases for specific iPad versions, but I’m not sure how well they work. (SEE ONE HERE)
How much does Osmo cost?
The price for an Osmo Kit (which includes the base and games) is around the same price of other technology toys for kids in this category. The Osmo Kits can average a price point of $79-$99+ when there is a sale and the individual games are often cheaper.
CHECK THE CURRENT PRICE ON OSMO+ANY SALES!
What age is Osmo for?
Depending on the game, Osmo age ranges span from 4-12 years. The games are listed for different levels, but (as usual) use your best judgment for your kids. For example, the age ranges list for Osmo Detective Agency are ages 5-9, but my daughter is 11 and uses that game and learns a great deal from it.
It’s a great geography learning tool (and we’re all about FUN and UNIQUE ways to learn geography!) and she’s enjoying it at age 11 (even though the game listed it for up to age 9).
Definitely add this as a tool to your preschool and elementary school learning across various subjects!
What is Osmo base?
The Osmo Base is the tool that holds your tablet or phone at the optimal angle for play required by the games. The base also comes with a camera “reflector” that attaches to the top of your phone or tablet. This is what “sees” your hands and work and “reflects” it into the tablet or phone.
Does Osmo require WIFI?
You may be wondering do you need Internet to play Osmo? You need WIFI and an internet connection when you first set up the Osmo and to download the free Osmo apps. After that, you can play the Osmo games on your device without the internet.
CONCLUSION: OSMO REVIEW FOR HOMESCHOOL RECAP
So, we use Osmo learning for spelling, math, coding, music, art, and now geography.
She even practices cursive (with a free Osmo app).
That covers a lot of learning territory!
(And, it’s FUN, hands-on learning.)
Is Osmo worth it and would we do it again?
YES. We will continue to add to our Osmo library as they release new offerings. And, at least it’s not a learning tool or curriculum collecting dust on a shelf, so it’s well worth the investment.
We hope that our ultimate guide for buying Osmo helps you make a great decision for your kids!
If you follow our suggestions, you’ll have a lot of fun for years to come with this technology toy!
ALSO CHECK OUT OUR OTHER COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS AND GUIDES:
WE HOPE THIS OSMO REVIEW FOR HOMESCHOOL, LEARNING AT HOME AND USING GAMES FOR LEARNING HELPS!
STARTING HOME SCHOOL? CHECK OUT OUR HOW TO HOMESCHOOL GUIDE
Thank you SO much! Such a thorough and detailed review and explanation of the program and various games/options. I now feel comfortable giving it a try.
I’m so glad it helped. We’ve really enjoyed ours that we’ve had for YEARS!