Thinkin' Things Collection 2
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How to play Thinkin' Things Collection 2
Most of the game is operated using simple mouse controls, with occasional use of the keyboard for movement.
General Navigation
- Use your mouse to select different games from the main menu.
- To exit an activity, click the red STOP sign in the bottom left corner.
Activity-Specific Controls
- Frippletration: Click and drag Fripples into the correct categories.
- Toony’s Tunes: Click to add or change instruments and notes on the timeline.
- Snake Blox: Use the arrow keys to guide the snake through puzzles.
- 2-3D Blox: Click and rotate block pieces to match the target structure.
- Oranga Banga’s Band: Click on squares in the timeline to build a rhythm, and press PLAY to hear your song.
Thinkin' Things Collection 2 Description
Released in 1995 by Edmark Corporation, Thinkin' Things Collection 2 stands out as a nostalgic and innovative educational game designed for Windows and Macintosh platforms. It’s the second title in the popular Thinkin’ Things series—a collection of games created to sharpen children's cognitive, creative, and critical thinking skills through interactive play.
While its graphics and interface reflect the era it was made in, the learning concepts behind it remain timeless. If you grew up in the ‘90s, chances are you spent time clicking through colorful activities and listening to quirky sound effects in this game. And if you're discovering it now, you're in for a truly creative experience.
Gameplay & Features
Thinkin’ Things Collection 2 features five main activities, each with a unique focus—from pattern recognition to music composition. Let’s break them down:
Frippletration
This colorful logic game asks players to sort animated characters called Fripples based on different characteristics like color, shape, or accessories. It’s a fantastic way to introduce children to classification, logic, and problem-solving.
Toony’s Tunes
Toony the musical creature invites players to compose original music by selecting different instruments and placing sounds on a timeline. This activity blends music theory basics with creativity, encouraging kids to experiment with rhythm and melody.
Snake Blox
This puzzle requires players to move snake-like blocks through a maze, teaching spatial awareness, sequencing, and planning. Think of it like early 3D puzzle training for young minds.
2-3D Blox
In this game, players explore three-dimensional block structures and recreate them using limited viewpoints. It’s ideal for helping kids grasp 3D visualization, a critical skill for geometry and design.
Oranga Banga’s Band
A funky band of animated animals lets you create and remix songs by manipulating a grid of beats and instruments. It’s a great introduction to pattern recognition, timing, and auditory memory.
Closest Modern Adaptations
While Thinkin’ Things Collection 2 remains a unique experience, several modern games echo its educational approach:
- Osmo Coding Jam – Combines music with logic, letting kids create tunes while learning basic coding.
- Toca Lab: Elements – A playful science sandbox where kids can experiment with elements and reactions.
- Kodable – Uses puzzles to teach core programming concepts through colorful, kid-friendly design.
Each of these games shares the same spirit: learning through play.
Thinkin’ Things Collection 2 was ahead of its time in using playful interfaces to build real-world thinking skills. If you grew up with it, it’s worth revisiting. And if you’re new to the series, there’s no better way to appreciate the roots of modern edutainment.
Summary
Thinkin' Things Collection 2 was the 5th most popular title in the Macintosh category sold across seven Software Etc. stores in the Washington area in the week ending December 28, 1996. New Straits Times commented that the activities in this version were targeted at an older demographic than its predecessor
Cheats/Hints/Walkthroughs for Thinkin' Things Collection 2
Mastering Thinkin' Things Collection 2 isn't just about playing—it's about recognizing how each activity sharpens a distinct way of thinking. The deeper you engage, the more you'll see connections between logic, creativity, and problem-solving. In Frippletration, speed isn’t everything; focusing on common attributes first will help you uncover hidden patterns instead of rushing to sort individual Fripples.
Toony’s Tunes rewards careful listening, as some sound combinations naturally harmonize—placing notes with intention creates a structured composition rather than a chaotic one. Snake Blox demands foresight; every move should be visualized before execution, or you'll find yourself trapped without a way forward. 2-3D Blox challenges your spatial reasoning—the key is mentally rotating structures before making adjustments, so solutions become clear before you even click.
Finally, Oranga Banga’s Band teaches rhythm through repetition; effective beats follow predictable structures, so paying attention to spacing ensures a smooth composition. The more time you spend experimenting, the deeper these mechanics reveal themselves, turning simple puzzles into exercises in strategic thinking.
Thinkin' Things Collection 2 - additional information
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