In FReNeTic from , players are challenged to create as many words as possible within 45 seconds from element symbol tiles placed on the FReNeTiC Periodic Table board. For each round, 4 more symbol tiles are added to the table. Everyone plays at the same time, and at the end of each round, each player totals up their score and the first to reach 1000 points wins. Each game lasts between 15 and 45 minutes – it’s up to you… change the target score, change the game! Players may use symbol tiles more than once – for example, Ba Na Na = Banana = 78 points as each word is scored according to the Atomic Number of the element symbol tiles used.
ORaNGeS, BaCon, BeEr… believe it or not, there are more than 10,000 words that can be created from the 96 element tiles and 4 blank tiles in the game!
Suitable for 2 or more players.
What our testers said
“Using the timer makes it easier to know when to stop.” Boy aged 11
“I got a double letter word.” Boy aged 10
What our experts think
A game that engages the brain and encourages children to think logically. It was interesting to see how the children started by creating simple words, moving onto more complex ones as they got more competent at the game. Board games like this help children improve their vocabulary and word building skills. The theme of Periodic Table elements was good as it added a point for discussion, promoting knowledge and understanding of science and chemistry for all involved (some of our adults had to google a fair few to find out what they were!)
Adding up the scores is similar to scrabble and is great for children’s mental maths skills – the children were eager to keep a record so that they could see who won… they enjoyed the competitive element, which encourages personal, social and emotional development. As well as the vocabulary, mathematical and scientific element, the game also encourages children to follow instructions and take turns, and builds on their concentration and attention skills when coming up with words and putting symbols together. Our only criticism is that there are a lot of rules, which made the game complicated for some.
