Mathmage

What is Mathmage app?

Mathmage is an app that sneaks maths education into a fun and attractive game-like experience. It has three difficulty levels that can be set according to children's ages.

Children are guided through the app's magical word. Along the way, they will find their way blocked by objects and creatures. To overcome these blockages children will need to solve problems. They might need to divide a number of objects equally, provide a sequence of instructions or work out one of many other challenges.

What we love about Mathmage?

Mathmage is one of the best-looking maths apps on the app stores. Not only are the graphics superbly drawn, clear, and smoothly animated, but they are of a consistent style unique to this app. 

The graphics are used well in presenting the challenges and building the atmosphere of the story. A lovely introduction in the form of an animated comic strip really goes the extra distance to set the scene and gain the attention of children.

What skills does it improve?

The intended purpose of Mathmage is to introduce children aged 5 to 7 years old to using maths to overcome obstacles. The challenges in the app grow in complexity at a measured pace which slowly introduces children to the right methods and strategies. 

If you test out the early levels of this app, you might think that the challenges are too easy but if you look at how many levels the app includes, you can see how there is plenty of time for them to increase in difficulty. This gradual increase lets the app develop children's skills without explicitly doing so. Children don't hit a sudden stop from where they struggle to advance. 

The challenges include ones relevant to maths and logic. 

What age is it appropriate for?

The app is designed for children in the US grades 1 to 3. Depending on the individual's ability this app could be useful for children aged between 5 and 8. The graphics are child-friendly without being childish. Children in the older part of the targeted age group will be as happy exploring the app's world as the younger ones. 

Is Mathmage easy to use?

It is very easy to use Mathmage. The app provides hints and introduces challenges in a considered manner that rewards exploration and thinking but won't result in frustration. 

How will students benefit?

Children learn and practice their maths skills in specific ways in the classroom. This app takes those skills and encourages children to use them in different, unexpected ways. In some ways, fantasy world aside, this reflects how maths is used in daily life. Children should increase their flexibility in thinking about how to use their maths knowledge when using this Mathmage app. 

How will teachers benefit?

This isn't an app that is designed for teachers to incorporate in their day-to-day teaching. There is no easy way for teachers to build it into their lessons other than as a parallel activity. This is not a criticism. It is a feature of the app's style and design but is something you should be aware of. On the other hand, as the app can support multiple user profiles, it can be used by more than one child taking it in turns on a classroom device. 

How will parents benefit?

Children want games for their devices and parents want children to spend time on learning. Mathmage is a great compromise as children will feel that they are being entertained while parents will feel that children are spending their time productively. 

What Mathmage can improve on?

The sound in this app is perfectly acceptable. It is clear and characterful but a narration for the story and challenges is noticeable by its absence. Young children, especially, might not have a balance between their numeracy and literacy skills. It is a shame that those for whom reading is difficult won't be able to be as immersed in the app's story as those who can read. 

How much does Mathmage cost?

The full Mathmage app is unlocked through an in-app purchase. It might appear to be a slightly higher than typical cost but, as this Mathmage app review makes clear, this is an app of rare quality and a good size. Taken as a whole, it is excellent value.

What is included with the free version vs. paid?

The initial download of this app is free so you can decide for yourself. Note the point made above that the earlier puzzles start out very easy by design. Don't let this fool you into thinking that this is a simplistic maths app, as it progresses it will provide a solid companion to your child's maths education. 

Is Mathmage safe to use?

Mathmage contains no advertisements nor any external links. All of its content, both graphical and written, is entirely suitable for young children. 

Overall rating

Mathmage app is a real accomplishment on the part of its developers. Its learning material is useful and productive for children while the whole package is both fun and attractive. It isn't a classroom tool, as such, but it deserves to be played by each child alongside their classwork. Mathmage is a 5-star app.