Cat & Mouse
A Timberdoodle exclusive, this clever logic game features 48 challenges and over 1,000 solutions to build spatial reasoning, flexible thinking, and problem-solving skills—one twisty maze at a time.
$27.99
Quantity:
2026 First-Grade Curriculum Kit
One of the very first SmartGames we sold, Cat & Mouse, has been challenging young puzzlers for more than 20 years. Now this classic maze-building game is back, exclusively at Timberdoodle.
Each challenge begins with a simple goal: build a path connecting the cat to the mouse, the cheese, or another target shown in the puzzle. Using the maze tiles, players create a route that solves the challenge. Unlike many logic games, however, Cat & Mouse doesn't limit players to a single correct answer.
In fact, the 48 challenges can be solved in more than 1,000 different ways. That unique design encourages experimentation, flexible thinking, and creative problem-solving as children discover multiple paths to success.
As challenges become more difficult, players strengthen visual-spatial reasoning, planning, and logical thinking while learning that some problems can be solved in more than one way.
The compact game board stores all the pieces neatly inside, making Cat & Mouse a convenient choice for road trips, appointments, or independent play at home.
Whether your child enjoys mazes, puzzles, or simply finding clever solutions, Cat & Mouse offers a refreshing twist on traditional logic games—one winding pathway at a time.
How to Play Cat & Mouse
- Choose a challenge and set up the fixed pieces exactly as shown in the booklet.
- Using the remaining maze tiles, create a path that connects the cat to the mouse, the cheese, or the target shown in the puzzle. Unlike most logic games, there isn't just one correct solution. Experiment with different arrangements and see how many successful routes you can create.
- Start with the easier challenges to become familiar with the maze pieces, then gradually work toward the more difficult puzzles. As challenges become more complex, you'll need to think further ahead and consider multiple possibilities.
- If a solution isn't coming together, try approaching the puzzle from a different direction. Because many challenges have multiple answers, a fresh perspective often reveals a path you hadn't considered. One or two challenges each week provides a steady dose of thinking practice.
Includes:
Spiral-bound booklet with forty-eight multi-level challenges and solutions
Game board
Nine sturdy plastic tiles
Manufacturer's Information
Manufacturer: Smart Toys and Games, Inc
Age Recommendation: 6+
Grade Recommendation: 1st+
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: No
Challenges: 48
Number of Players: 1
Play Time: 5-20 minutes
Made in: China
Awards and Endorsements
CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
review by Roads to Everywhere
”Cat & Mouse is a great way to help develop thinking skills in young learners as well as keeping those skills sharp in older adults.”
Read the Review
review by Cummins Life
”Cat & Mouse encourages strategic planning, concentration, problem solving, visual and spatial insight and logical thinking.”
Read the Review
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Ages 6 to adult.
The self-contained game board is approximately 7.5" square and 1.5" inches deep. The top slides aside to allow storage of the tiles and challenge book inside.
It is compact and self-contained, which makes it ideal to tuck into a backpack or tote back. However, it does require a little room for the player to spread out the tiles, so a table or floor playing space would be better than a lap.
Cat & Mouse helps develop:
- spatial insight
- problem solving
- logic
- strategic planning
- concentration
- April 21, 2026
Amanda
Fun critical thinking game. Convienent and portable. Great for all ages.
- July 19, 2025
Fun critical thinking game!
Beth
This is a great game, that we come back to often! It is challenging yet still very fun.
- July 19, 2025
Not exactly what we hoped for
ScotFlower
Because there are too many permutations to get the right answer, it almost seems pointless for a long time - looks like it might get a bit more challenging in the later levels, but its not our favorite smart game and it not make the cut. Once my student finishes it, we won't keep it unlike most other smart games.
- April 23, 2025
Stretch Your Brain
Karolyn B.
These puzzles are a great brain workout. Make sure to read the instructions before you start as the rules are crucial in order to effectively do the puzzles. I find that as the year progresses my student needs more parental involvement near the end when the puzzles are increasingly more difficult. You might like to do more challenges per week at the beginning of the year and less per week at the end.
- April 28, 2024
Critical thinking game
Amanda P.
We absolutely love Smart Games critical thinking games, they have been a game changer in our homeschool.
- March 20, 2024
Very age-appropriate challenges
Elizabeth D.
I picked this as a replacement for a critical thinking game in the kindergarten box which we already had. It takes my 5-year-old quite a while to complete one challenge, but she sticks with it and seems to enjoy the complexity.
- July 24, 2023
Actually difficult at the upper levels
Anna F.
I really like handing my first grader one of these challenges because it's surprisingly difficult for him to figure out while remaining lots of fun. The most difficult challenges can even stump my husband and I for a while! A good game to grow with, since the easiest challenges are quick to accomplish for a 6 year old but there's plenty of room to increase in skill/difficulty levels.
- July 15, 2023
Fun, but challenging
Rachael M.
A challenge is often a great thing. However, I see sticking to the rules of this game to be kind of difficult when you reach the higher levels. Some parts are a little unclear. It’s still fun, but can be too much for my 6 year old if she is sticking to the “rules” and we like to do that. It’s just hard to keep her attention. She is very smart, but we found parts confusing.
- July 5, 2023
Challenging and Portable
Vanessa H.
Both of my girls, 7 & 9, enjoy working on this puzzle. I especially enjoy how easy it is to travel with! We travel to occupational therapy about 45 minutes from our house a few times a week and this is a great car-school activity because the pieces are easily contained and not easily lost while in the car. We reserve this game for car-school days and both girls look forward to our long car rides - that's a win in my book!
- June 24, 2023
great for logic development
Diane S.
This game it great for logic development, and understanding cause and effect. Nice to see the lights come on upstairs!
