Osmo (game system) facts for kids

Osmo makes fun and educational games that mix digital play with physical objects. These games use a special stand and mirror with an iPad or iPhone. This setup lets the device see and react to what you're doing with real-life game pieces. It's like your screen becomes a smart partner in your games!

How Osmo Started

Osmo was created by a company called Tangible Play. It was founded in 2013 by Pramod Sharma and Jérôme Scholler. They both went to Stanford University and used to work at Google. They got the idea after seeing Sharma's five-year-old daughter playing with an iPad. She was very focused on the screen, which made them think about healthier ways to play.

They wanted to create a game system that used a mirror. This mirror would let the iPad's camera see physical objects. This way, the screen could become an "interactive partner" in real-world games.

Osmo's Achievements

Time magazine recognized Osmo as one of the 25 Best Inventions of 2014. In 2017, Fast Company also named Osmo one of the top ten "most innovative companies" in education. You can find Osmo games online and in stores like Target and the Apple Store.

Changes for Osmo

In January 2019, a company called Byju's bought Osmo. This deal was worth $120 million. Later, in January 2024, Byju's faced financial difficulties. Lenders started legal steps to get their money back. By February 2024, Byju's U.S. division filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This is a legal process that helps a company reorganize its finances. Byju's aimed to raise about $200 million to pay off debts and cover other costs.

Osmo Games

Osmo offers many different games. Each game helps kids learn new skills in a fun way.

Words

Words is a game where you look at pictures on the screen. Then, you spell out words using real letter tiles. This game is great for all skill levels. It has many different word packs, and you can even add your own words. This makes it very useful for both fun and learning.

Tangram

This game is a modern version of the classic Tangram puzzle. You arrange real tangram pieces to match shapes shown on the screen. Playing Tangram helps you develop skills in understanding space and shapes.

Newton

Newton is a game based on physics. You guide small bouncing balls into target areas. You can do this by drawing platforms and ramps on the screen. You can also place real objects in the play area to change the ball's path.

Numbers

Numbers is a math game with an ocean theme. You try to pop bubbles and free fish. To do this, you use number tiles on the table. The app instantly reads your tiles and shows them on the screen. It can add or multiply them, which feels almost like magic!

Masterpiece

Masterpiece uses computer vision to turn any image into something you can trace. This app helps kids and adults become digital artists. It can also help them feel more confident in their drawing abilities.

Coding Awbie

In Coding Awbie, you learn about coding. You place magnetic coding blocks in a sequence. These blocks control a character named Awbie on an adventure. This game is a good way to teach younger children about logic and problem solving.

Monster

In Monster, a character named Mo brings your real-life drawings into his animated world. The game saves your creations as a video clip. You can then share these videos with family and friends. In 2017, Osmo even released a Spanish version of Monster.

Pizza Co.

Pizza Co. combines cooking and running a business. You use interactive tokens for ingredients and money. This game helps children learn basic math skills. It also encourages imaginative and cooperative play for hours.

Coding Jam

Coding Jam teaches coding through making music. It's an open-ended music studio with many characters and instruments. It's easy enough for a 5-year-old to use. It also has enough challenges for a 10-year-old to create complex songs.

Hot Wheels™ MindRacers

Osmo worked with Mattel to create MindRacers. This game mixes real Hot Wheels™ cars with virtual racetracks on the screen. MindRacers was the first Hot Wheels™ product that said it was for both "boys and girls" on the box.