On Thursdays we play OuiSi. It wasn’t always this way, but now that it’s part of our rhythm, it feels like the universe was conspiring to make this regular moment of connection happen for us. I should clarify: “we” doesn’t actually include me—it’s a ritual that organically developed between my four-year-old daughter and my mom, and it’s seriously so special.
OuiSi is a visual learning game that’s suitable for everyone, from young children to the eldest among us who are young and curious at heart. The magic of these matte photo cards is that they “visually connect” with each other based on similar colors, patterns, shapes, and more. It’s like a creative matching game, with no wrong answers and many versions to play.
Here’s why as a mom of a preschooler, I’m thrilled that this game is part of our week:
A game that makes creativity and curiosity come to life
We’re a nature family, always looking for opportunities to be outdoors. Little can compare to the imaginative play that sparks from the question “what’s this?” when one of us comes upon a curious-looking fungus or a funny-shaped root. For example, “that mushroom looks like a top hat!” or “those branches look like a hand!”
OuiSi is the first game we’ve found that mimics that novelty indoors. They provide a guidebook full of activities and 210 photo cards that are almost like Polaroids, with images of things that look both natural and built, colored and neutral, close-up and zoomed-out, familiar and new.
Each card can be “matched” with other cards in the deck, based on similarities like shape, pattern, color, and wordplay (such as homonyms). It’s a total “aha” moment for my daughter when she pairs a cactus and a baby’s foot based on shape similarities, or when she pairs two vibrant yellow cards together.
A beautiful way to build connections
On Thursdays, my daughter is picked up from school by her Grannie, and as is the norm for so many kids, she doesn’t usually have the mental bandwidth to give a detailed account of what she did that day. So, when the two arrive home, I’m typically occupied napping our littlest one, and what the situation calls for is quiet play.
This is how my daughter and mom formed the habit of after-school OuiSi. The shared experience of observing the photographs and beginning to make connections is a calm way to get situated at home; the game can even begin silently.
As they settle in, the “why” behind what made my daughter choose the visual connection she did might be as simple as a color or pattern resemblance; other times she’s ready with a story of a conversation or adventure that made her think of it. It’s such a cool way for her grandmother to get to know her.
OuiSi comes with instructions for seven creative games for ages 4+, two competitive games that foster strategic thinking for ages 10+, and two mindfulness activities, but the open-ended play is there for even younger minds. Honestly, just sorting through the photographs is fascinating for my two-year-old.
An engaging break from screen time
It’s 2023 and every parent uses screen time to occupy their kids. But, we’re also all forever looking for alternatives so we can minimize the negative impacts on their eyes and health, right? I’ve observed in my own kids that they like sitting and watching when they need nothing to be required of them. This explained to me why my preschooler is so open to OuiSi as an alternative to watching screens.
With this game, there is no right or wrong answer, no competitiveness (unless you want there to be!), and no time limit—it’s very low stakes and peaceful. Anecdotally, regular OuiSi play has helped downshift my daughter’s hyperactivity, and she’s much calmer in the afternoons.
OuiSi is our go-to family game
Our family loves that OuiSi can also be played solo, which my daughter also enjoys because she can make her own rules without anyone questioning her. But our favorite moments with OuiSi are the ones my four-year-old shares with her Grannie. It’s quiet yet engaging, simple yet stimulating, and honestly it’s even sometimes really funny!
