The Thinkin' Things series allows players to experiment and explore with interactive objects in different ways and methods throughout the games.

[6] TERC posited that Thinkin' Things Collection 3 was not a traditional game due to having no story, impersonal characters, no overarching goals, and no competitive play, considering the title inferior to others that have these qualities.

[9] Alamo PC Organization said that Thinkin' Things: Sky Island Mysteries praised the game's ability to reward players for successfully completing activities, and for allowing parents to change the difficulty of challenges.

[12] Alamo PC Organization wrote that Thinkin' Things Galactic Brain Benders contained a "wonderful, colorful world full of excitement".

[14] Parent's Choice explained that Thinkin' Things: Toony the Loon's Lagoon's activities had enough enjoyment to mask the fact that they were drawing "creativity, strategic skills and imagination" from the player.