Ice Cool – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ice Cool

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

84%

WISE Score

6.8

Board Game Geek

Flick penguins through doorways in this award-winning dexterity game that's genuinely fun for kids AND parents.

Ice Cool

Board Game

84%

WISE Score

6.8

Board Game Geek

Flick penguins through doorways in this award-winning dexterity game that's genuinely fun for kids AND parents.

4.6

6.8

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Ice Cool is that rare kids' game that adults don't have to pretend to enjoy. The flicking mechanic is legitimately fun—there's something deeply satisfying about nailing a curved shot through multiple doorways or making your penguin hop over a wall.

It won Kinderspiel des Jahres for good reason: it's simple to teach, quick to play, and has enough skill progression that kids want to get better. The box-in-box setup is clever, the penguin meeples are adorable, and the 'school truant vs. Hall Monitor' theme is silly without being obnoxious.

This isn't going to replace your family's love of Catan or become a decades-long tradition, but for the 6-10 age range, it's a solid addition to the game shelf. Parents report genuine enjoyment, not just tolerance, which is the real test of a kids' game.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12, with the sweet spot around 7-10. The dexterity challenge is accessible for first-graders but doesn't feel babyish for tweens. Adults genuinely enjoy it too, so family game nights work well, though teens might find it a bit young unless playing with younger siblings.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Playful penguin-skipping-school theme is lighthearted and silly rather than problematic. Encourages turn-taking, good sportsmanship, and family interaction. The 'Hall Monitor vs. Runners' dynamic is fun role-playing without mean-spirited conflict. Multiple reviews emphasize cross-generational appeal and genuine family bonding.

Imaginative

The unique box-in-box board setup and flicking mechanic create genuine novelty—penguins can jump, curve, and spin in unexpected ways. The dexterity challenge invites experimentation and mastery. While not open-ended creative play, the physics-based flicking rewards creative problem-solving and generates memorable 'trick shot' moments that kids want to replicate and improve.

Safe

Board games don't get much safer. Zero mature content, zero gambling mechanics, minimal 'take that' conflict (Hall Monitor catches runners, but it's part of the game loop). Social dynamics are healthy—everyone gets a turn as both runner and catcher, balancing power. Physical components are sturdy. No monetization, ads, or online features to worry about.

Enriching

Builds genuine fine motor skills and spatial reasoning through the flicking mechanic. Kids learn physics concepts intuitively (angles, momentum, spin). Encourages practice, patience, and graceful losing when shots don't land. The low complexity (1.06 weight) means it's accessible without being mind-numbing—there's actual skill progression. Winner of Kinderspiel des Jahres 2017 signals quality design. Entertaining enough that adults genuinely want to play, not just supervise.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The flicking mechanic is immediately satisfying—penguins can curve, jump, and spin in ways that feel magical to kids and impressive when mastered
Kinderspiel des Jahres 2017 winner with 20,000+ community owners; this isn't a throwaway kids' game
Low complexity (1.06 weight) means 6-year-olds can learn in minutes, but high skill ceiling keeps it interesting
Everyone gets a turn as both runner and Hall Monitor, so no one's stuck in a boring role
30-minute playtime is perfect—long enough to matter, short enough for attention spans and 'one more game' requests

⚠

What to Watch For

Requires table space and decent motor control—younger kids (under 6) may struggle with the flicking precision
Some kids get frustrated when they can't nail trick shots immediately; encourage experimentation over perfection
Replayability may wane after dozens of plays for older kids/teens, though it's solid for the 6-10 age sweet spot

Conversation Starters

"What's your favorite trick shot you've pulled off? Can you teach me how to make the penguin jump?"
"If you were designing a school for penguins, what other rooms would you add to the board?"
"Is it better to be the Hall Monitor or a runner? Why?"
"How do you decide which doors to go through first when you're collecting fish?"

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