Taking its starry theme from the glorious night sky, this Memory Game also delivers a journey through the mythical magic and legends of the constellations.

There’s a real romance to gazing upon the stars – so many millions of light years away, yet shining like diamonds in the sky! And how much more magical they are when you can identify some of the constellations and when you have heard the stories that accompany each one.

From the soaring eagle Aquila, who carried Zeus’s thunderbolts, to the slithering twists of the snake Draco, the night sky’s constellations offer folklore and myths that will inspire a sense of wonder in your child

This set contains 72 cards (36 pairs) that depict the constellations of the 12 signs of the zodiac, plus 24 further starry constellation patterns – including Cygnus, Orion, Pegasus and Hercules. Thankfully, it also comes with a handy booklet that tells the ancient myth for each of the constellations, and that offers guidance as to how, where and when you can identify it in the night sky.

For example, the water carrier Aquarius is in the Southern Hemisphere, near Capricornus, and is most visible in late summer and early autumn. The myth tells of how poor Aquarius was blamed for a flood that covered the earth; indeed, ancient Egyptians attributed the annual flooding of the Nile to Aquarius – although he also symbolised good fortune!

The game itself is the same as any memory game, and is suitable for two or more players (though of course there’s nothing to say you couldn’t hone your memory skills solo if you fancy a game of solitaire).

To play, turn all cards (fittingly adorned with a star) face down, then players take turns to flip two cards; if the cards match, the player keeps the pair. If they don’t match, the player returns the card to their face-down position. The player with the most cards at the end of play is the star of the show!

Good For… Memory skills, concentration, recognition and matching, taking turns, astronomy, mythology, story telling, astrology and, er, space-ial awareness.

Keep in Mind… Younger children may find it tricky to recall the shapes of the constellations at first (which may cause frustration) so be sure to talk through the stories and myths behind each of the constellations to help your child get a sense of the shapes before you begin, then be ready to offer some guidance until they become more familiar with each constellation’s starry pattern.

Kids Love… Discovering the magic and mystery of the stars! They also love grabbing the card and heading outside to identify each constellation’s position in the sky. Once your child’s interest is piqued, you might want to invest in a telescope for some serious sky-gazing. And of course, once your child can pinpoint Polaris (the North Star) in Ursa Minor, he will never be truly lost!

Parents Love… That this game not only functions as a Memory Game, but also as an educational tool that teaches your child about constellations and stars as well as the ancient stories and myths that accompany them – and of course all neatly packaged in an attractive take-anywhere box. Star-gazing is also a magical activity the whole family can enjoy together – perfect for those camping trips when you have clear skies above!

Designer Details Pomegranate Kids has its roots in San Francisco’s 1960’s psychedelic art explosion. As a young man, founder Thomas F. Burke distributed posters from the Avalon Ballroom and the Fillmore Auditorium. More than 40 years later, Pomegranate emerged as a leading museum publisher, producing fine art, contemporary illustration, and photography in products ranging from block puzzles to colouring books, calendars and jigsaw puzzles. The company collaborates with many renowned institutions including the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, the British Library, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Sierra Club, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and is the proud licensee for such distinguished artists as Edward Gorey, Charley Harper, Wolf Kahn, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Gustave Baumann, among others.