Rat-a-Tat Cat – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Rat-a-Tat Cat

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

76%

WISE Score

6.3

Board Game Geek

A quick memory card game where keeping a poker face matters almost as much as remembering which cards are rats (bad) and which are cats (good).

Rat-a-Tat Cat

Board Game

76%

WISE Score

6.3

Board Game Geek

A quick memory card game where keeping a poker face matters almost as much as remembering which cards are rats (bad) and which are cats (good).

4.8

6.3

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

Rat-a-Tat Cat is a solid little memory-and-math card game that does exactly what it promises: gets kids thinking about numbers, probability, and strategy without feeling like homework. The poker face angle is genuinely fun for early elementary kids who are just starting to understand that other people can't read their minds.

That said, it's not going to blow anyone's mind. Reviews consistently note that it's "fun but gets boring quickly" for adults, and even kids will likely move on to more complex games within a year or two. The 10-minute playtime is both a strength (low commitment) and a limitation (not much depth to explore).

If you've got a 6-8 year old who's ready to graduate from pure luck games like Uno but isn't quite ready for Ticket to Ride, this is a great bridge. Just don't expect it to stay in heavy rotation once they hit double digits.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 6-9, when memory games hit the sweet spot between challenging and achievable. Older kids (10+) and adults will find it thin, though it works fine as a quick family filler game if you're mixing ages.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A friendly, cooperative family card game with charming cat and rat illustrations. Encourages healthy competition without mean-spirited mechanics. The 'poker face' element teaches kids to manage emotions and read social cues in a playful context. No conflict-inducing mechanics that create bad feelings between players.

Imaginative

Memory and strategy mechanics require mental visualization and planning, but the game is fundamentally straightforward with limited creative expression. The cat-vs-rat theme is cute but not deeply immersive. Players develop intuitive probability sense and strategic thinking, but it's more about execution than imagination.

Safe

Exceptionally safe for a board game. Simple card game with no mature themes, no gambling mechanics (despite poker face references), and healthy social dynamics. The 'Take That' mechanism is mild—just card swapping, not aggressive player elimination or humiliation. Age 6+ rating is appropriate and well-calibrated.

Enriching

Solid math skill-building: memory, basic addition, probability concepts, and strategic timing. Mensa Select Winner (1996) validates cognitive value. Teaches number sense and pattern recognition in an engaging way. However, entertainment value is modest—reviews note it gets repetitive quickly and adults find it thin. Good for developing minds, less compelling for sustained engagement.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Sneaky introduction to probability and strategic thinking disguised as a silly cat-and-rat game
10-minute rounds mean you can squeeze in a game before dinner without commitment
Teaches kids to manage their reactions and read other players—basically poker training wheels
Low complexity (1.12/5) makes it genuinely accessible for 6-year-olds while still requiring actual thought
Mensa Select Winner, so you can feel good about the brain-building happening

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What to Watch For

Adults will likely get bored after 3-4 rounds—this is solidly a kids' game that grown-ups tolerate
The bluffing element requires some emotional regulation; younger or more sensitive kids might struggle with losing
Replayability is limited; once kids master the strategy, it can feel samey

Conversation Starters

"How do you decide which card to swap out? What clues are you using?"
"Can you tell when I'm excited about my cards? What gives it away?"
"If you had to guess what number cards everyone has right now, what would you say?"
"Do you think it's better to play it safe or take a risk? Why?"

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