Can you spot what’s odd about these 3 block sets?

How do you feel about being odd? At Uncle Goose, we know we’re odd, and we love it!

We love “odd” so much, we designed 3 odd-numbered block sets — and then embedded something odd in each set. Can you spot what’s odd about these 3 sets?

Consider 3 of our 9 piece block sets: Planet Blocks, Dinosaur Blocks, and Moon Phase Blocks.

With each set, you can play an odd little game. The game is called "One of These Things is Not Like the Others."

This game is an exercise in comparing and contrasting. Look at each of the blocks in these 9 piece block sets. In each block set, one block is not like the others.

QUESTION: Can you spot it? What one thing is not like the others in each of these 3 sets?

You can go look for yourself. It’s a bit of a puzzle. If you’d like to keep reading, we’ll give you the answers.

SPOILER ALERT!

ANSWERS:

1. The Uncle Goose Planet Block set includes Pluto (not a planet.)
2. The Dinosaur Block set includes a pterodactyl (not a dinosaur.)
3. The Uncle Goose Moon Phase blocks include the Eclipse (not a moon phase.)

Each of these three sets celebrate the unique and beautiful quality of oddness. Perhaps that’s why they are so beloved!

It’s also instructive to use all of our blocks to foster educational conversations. Use them to play “One of These Things is Not Like the Others.” Playing comparing and contrasting games is terrific for intellectual development.

Without comparison and contrast, nothing could stand out. Nothing could be “odd.” We need oddness for contrast. Being odd makes life interesting! 

But what does it really mean to be odd? Let's take a look at history. 

The word “odd” comes from an Old Norse word “oddi.” It means “point of land.”

When a “point of land” arises from a flat vista, it has a roughly triangular shape. Since there are 3 angles in a triangle, “oddi” became “odd” and associated with “odd” numbers.

If you divide an even number by two, the result will be an integer. But if you divide an odd number by two, the result is not an integer.

When something’s odd, there’s always going to be a little something left over. It’s not going to be rounded off. It’s going to stick out.

At first, the word “odd” was something of a compliment. If you were odd, it meant that you did something extraordinary. You stood out!

Later, the word “odd” became something of a put-down. If you were odd, it meant that you did something weird. You stood out!

How do you feel about being odd? Do you consider it a compliment: or a put-down? And how can you celebrate the beauty of oddness in your everyday life?