Sherlock : The Game where Memory and Deduction are Elementary product reviews

This is perhaps one of the more interesting and fun "memory games" I have come across in the last few years. Plenty of variation, simple rules that make for a fun and sometimes complicated game, and easy to repack into a smaller bag and throw in the car for those pit-stop and snack stopovers.

Though this is set as a "task goal" type games, where you need to collect 6 cards to win, this could easily be adjusted to be a timed game (Whoever has the most cards when the clock stops) or even just a fun game where no scoring is done... for example, instead of using the "collect a card" rule if your wanderings around the ring of cards brings you back to a face-up card, you claim it... make it that you can ONLY count face-down cards as you hop around... so if your "3 spaces clockwise" would then become "3 face-up cards clockwise"... and the aim of the game is to end up with all 6/7/8/whatever cards face-up. The potential variations are almost endless.

Again, these cards are made of thick, durable cardstock that should cope with the rigours of young hands, and feel as though they should be fairly easy-wipe should sticky fingers grasp them. However, I would not recommend dunking them in the sinkload of dishes.

Overall, this was my favourite of the four we reviewed this round... mainly because it gave me a chance to revisit some old mnemonic memory-enhancement tricks I have been neglecting... and I found the "make a story" method particularly funny. Using the example cards in the instruction sheet, I got the story "A TEACUP - with a FISH in it holding an UMBRELLA and wearing a HAT - snacked on some CHERRIES and a BANANA while wrapping a PRESENT, then hitting it with a HAMMER." Now if you imagine that playing out in your mind, you'll see it's pretty easy to remember the order of the cards, starting at the top position. This method is a popular one with kids, as their imaginations can be so wacky, and this game really fits well with that. Great stuff!

This game is aimed at children aged 5 years and up to adult. I am embarrassed to say that Miss Five and Miss Four don't need to be "allowed" to win this game. I get whipped every time! All the proof I need that I should be playing this every single day

You will need to play this on a table (and definitely out of little one's reach).

The memory cards get placed in a circle. We use 8 memory cards (unless I am able to sweet talk the kids into using less...).

You memorise the pictures on the cards (or not) then they are turned over.
Sherlock moves around the circle of cards according to the direction and number on each card. Overturned cards stay on the table until landed on a second time. They are then replaced with a new card and the person with Sherlock keeps playing until they get a card wrong. Each time they pick up a memory card a new one gets placed down in its place (face down once every one has "memorised" it). You move according to the number and direction on the top of each card. There is a little bit of luck involved as well as you can collect quite a few cards just by landing on an upturned card that someone else guessed correctly even if you yourself don't guess any correctly.

Each card has a glossy picture and the cards are reasonably thick so not easily bent.

This game will be brilliant for your children's (and your) memory, number counting and direction skills. It is also fun. Hilarious even, when mum fails to guess even one card correctly!

I like that the kids can play this without me, as it is very simple in its rules, but I actually really like playing it as my instant recall is obviously in need of some serious regular practice. Definitely a fun game for the whole family that will benefit every one that plays. I also think its great to have games where the kids win off their own bat at times.
A brilliant fun card game to have on hand.