Editorial Review

Pop Up Pirate! promises hours of amusement. After all, who doesn't like to see a pirate get shot out of a barrel? The game is simple. The unlucky pirate is pushed into the top of a brown plastic barrel, readying the spring mechanism for his eventual launch. Players then take turns pushing colorful plastic swords into holes on the side of the barrel, one by one until finally someone releases the spring and sends the poor little pirate on his way. Whoever makes the pirate pop loses, until the next round at any rate. The game includes a blue plastic base, the brown barrel (the sort that pirates would use for grog), and 24 plastic swords--six each of yellow, red, green, and blue. There's also lots of stickers of birds, smiling sharks, and even an ogling octopus, although they don't stay stuck very well. The pirate himself has a big black mustache and wears an eye patch and a purple plastic scarf over his head. Luckily, he doesn't seem to mind getting jounced around so much, since he also has a gigantic, if somewhat cautious, grin. --David Morel ... Read more

Reviews (10)

20 month old A+
Santa got this for our 5 year old and 20 month old for Christmas.I bought the toy based on the reviews.Inever realized how much the 20 month old would love this toy.She can do it by herself, she loves it.We don't play by the "rules" we just have fun putting the swords in until the pirate pops up, that person loses but we all giggle and laugh!

Great toy for price!A 20 month old is capable of play!

Easy to play
We gave this game to our five year old grandson for Christmas.He loved it the first couple of times we played it but soon figured out which sword to pull to pop up the pirate.He quickly became bored with it after that.It seems like a sturdy game and the pieces aren't too small.The five year old has a baby brother so I was a little concerned about the swords but they're larger than I expected.

Great pirate game
After we figured out that you really have to use some force to put the swords in, we had a great time playing this. It seems like the same hole pops him up every time, but we're not sure. The sticker on the barrell might help someone memorize where his pop point is. Perhaps leaving the sticker off the barrell would make it impossible to memorize. He jumps really high, which is way cool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games   

Reviews (6)

Great small child game!!!!
My 4 yr. old daughter got this for Christmas this year.It's great!The best small child game I think.It was so easy for her to follow and she had TONS of fun!I highly recommend this game!!!!!

My Review
The game was fun!I recalled a similar one from when I was a kid, so I bought it for my daughter's 4th birthday.It helps her count-not 'skip' and has helped her with waiting her turn.She LOVES matching up the disks to everyone's card.It can get long if there are only two players though....well, long for a 4 year old.She loves it!

a ton of fun
we received this for my daughter's 4th birthday.it has been a lot of fun to play--simple enough for her to play, and hard enough to grow with her for the past year.although it has a lot of pieces, they have remained durable and have withstood tiny fingers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Reviews (17)

Super Mind / Mighty Mind review
A very nice product, my son has been using the Super Mind version since 3 years old, it really challenges the kids. I wanted to get something that can really challenge him since he started putting 60 - 80 piece Jigsaw puzzles at 2.5 years old.

Well he has now finished the 60 sets of puzzles, the product is really a very useful one and we are quiet happy to have brought this.

-Rajesh

One of the best toys we have
Excellent toy.It will keep kids busy for a while.I have three kids, including twins (3 1/2), they all loved this product.I also have the the super mighty mind (different puzzles, same pieces, more dificult).

The toy comes with a series of pieces in various shapes and colors.The pieces are very easy to handle, very durable.The objetive is to pick a card (these are large cards). First, kids have to identify and pick the pieces they will be using.Then, they form a picture or another figure using this small pieces.The first puzzles are easy.Then the level of difficulty increases.

I have bought this product as gifts for friends, all the kids have liked it once they try it.I once saw a "to go" version, same game, same size, but in a travel case.

Stick to the basics!This old toy still captivates kids!
This toy is fantastic!I've seen both my kids play with it for hours.It is a great game for independent play, however my own 3 year-old greatly benefits from the help of his 5 year-old sister!I don't think many 3 year-olds are mature enough to enjoy playing it without help from a sibling/adult.After several sessions to help them train their brain how to think, a 3 year-old could happily play alone.

If done in order, the 30 puzzles in Mighty Mind progress in difficulty from using two semi-circles to make a circle, to using all 32 pieces to make a shape similar to a train with cow-catcher!The first 20 puzzles provide color clues in the picture to assist a child in selecting the needed shapes, but the last 10 are without clues and are the most challenging.

I'm at amazon checking the price vs. the manufacturer's website (1smartkid).The price here is a few cents more and is very likely for the PLASTIC shape pieces.The toy was originally made from very nice, colored WOODEN pieces and still is, but for about three dollars more. I'd recommend splurging for it - I don't know how well the plastic pieces would take being stepped on.The pieces do tend to fall to the floor - either by accident or in frustration! We are missing three shape pieces and I found the manufacturer's website while searching for replacement pieces, which can be had for about half the price of a new game.Instead of buying replacement pieces, I decided to upgrade to the wooden Super Mind set instead (exact same 32 shapes).

I just bought two dozen of these games at a fifteen percent case-discount from the manufacturer!I went to their site looking for replacement pieces for the wooden Mr. Mighty Mind (old name)and decided to buy birthday gifts for my two kids' friends in advance since my own children really enjoy this game.I bought a dozen of the Mighty Minds for the 3 year-olds for when they turn 4, and a dozen Super Minds for the 5 year-olds for when they turn 6.My daughter just turned 5 and is getting bored with Mr. Mighty Mind and I'm sure her age group will enjoy the more challenging Super Minds more.Mighty Mind is great for a 5 year old if they haven't done it before - but after hours and hours with it the more challenging Super Mind will be more fun.

TIP: I like to find an age-appropriate, gender-neutral gift for my kids to give as gifts, buy it in bulk (often at a discount!)and spend an hour wrapping them all in advance.I also had a roll of personalized stickers made for each of my kids that say "Happy Birthday from (Name)" and I put the stickers on after wrapping.SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying individual cards!Then, the day of a bday party, we grab a wrapped gift from the hall closet and go!

Mighty Mind and/or Super Mind are both great gifts for this purpose, because even if the child already has one, another set makes if more fun to play with a friend instead of all alone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Learning    3. Easy Puzzles    4. Shapes    5. Preschool    6. Games    7. Strategy Games    8. Activity   

Editorial Review

This crazy soccer game is the perfect introduction to team sports for preschoolers. The plastic goal is sized just for smaller people and the miniature soft foam ball is easy on little feet. A goofy talking goalie is built right into the goal posts to shout out encouragement and challenges so kids can improve their game. The goalie wiggles back and forth as kids try to score and does some lighthearted trash-talking with expressions such as "Try and get it past these moves," and "Kick that thing in here." When kids score a goal, they are rewarded with cheering crowd sounds and congratulatory remarks from the goalie, such as "Nice shot, kid!" along with a response from the ball itself. An easy-to-operate ball release lever sends the ball down the goal's ramp and out on the lawn for more soccer playing. The goal operates via four "C" batteries (not included) and requires some help from adults to get it assembled. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (37)

LOLOLOLOL
This is the cutest little thing I have seen.My daughter is 3 and we both play with it.She gets so excited when she kicks it in and it cheers for her.Not to mention that it is helping with her coordination.

We also have the bowling game by this company...I believe it is called silly 6 pins and that too is just a riot...although she is too young to actually roll the ball with much precision.

She has beat the daylights out of the bowling game for the last year and it is still as good as the first day...and we have had this soccer game for about 2 weeks and it has never had a piece brake.But I do see how if they were picking it up or trying to carry it that it would fall apart.Not that it would take more than a second to snap it back together if it did come apart.

I give this 5 stars for great fun, as well as learning coordination, as well as having no problems with its construction.

PS we bought this at over 50% off on clearance at another store what a bargain!

A fun game but its to big to have in the house
We purchased this for our little boy who is almost 4.He loves soccer and we thought this would be a good idea for him to learn to practice soccer before he started playing on the soccer team.He really likes it and its fun how the goal rocks back and forth and talks to you as you play.
I however, would'nt recommend this if you plan on playing it in the house, its to big and is'nt practical to store in a childs room and its impossible to take apart and put back together unless you have all day!It would be a great purchase if you had a basement to store it in, but we had planned on storing it in our childs room as we don't have a basement.We ended up taking it apart and its still apart, as its to much of a hassle putting back together all the time.I would think twice about buying this game and if I had the chance to buy it again I would'nt.

Save Your Money!
I would feel better throwing my money in the toilet than buying this toy. It's too small and will never look like it does on the box because it's NEVER in one piece. In fact, the box is worth more than the toy. It's going in the trash today! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Suzy's Zoo A Great Buy
As an educator and mother of a toddler, I found that Suzy's Zoo to be very educational and an attention holder.My 20 month old daughter really enjoys placing the cards on the correct object and repeating the names of the pictures.This game is helping my daughter to name objects instead of just pointing to them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Cards    5. Learning    6. Preschool    7. Toddler    8. Activity   

Editorial Review

Adhering closely to the stereotypes of the animal kingdom, wise owl Professor Oliver is ready to impart his vast learning of the alphabet on young children looking to learn. The hard plastic Professor comes complete with an alphabet game board and 26 small cardboard tiles that match up with the spaces on the board. He leads a simple sing-along of the alphabet game, teaching the melody that is at the foundation of alphabet learning for generations. Additionally, he can lead two games. In the first, kids are asked to find tiles in the order of the alphabet. In the second game, letters are called for out of sequence, providing an extra challenge. The small letter tiles seem destined to end up floating about the house if one isn't careful but this is still a charming way to practice alphabet skills. Three AA batteries required.--Charlie Williams ... Read more

Reviews (9)

really quiet
This game is easy to play and understand, even for kids 3 and 4 years. They have to put the card in Mother Goose, so it keeps them active in the game. It is really quiet though, so if the kids are too wound up to sit, they won't hear the directions from Mother Goose.With only a few songs, the game does get old quick, but it is always a fun game.

DUCK DUCK GOOSE - A Winner !
We have the Duck, Duck Goose version of this game and my 2 yr old absolutely loves it !We started her on it at 25 months and caught on to the game after mom showed her how 1 round of play.

This game teaches color matching, taking turns, winning/losing, "missing a turn", and more.Basically you push the goose's head and each time it say "duck" or "goose".If it says "duck", you move to the next duck on the game board and push the goose's head again.If it says "goose", then you pick up the duck in front of the goose and see if it matches a color on your nest.If it does you place the duck on it; if not, you place the duck back on the board. Once you've matched 3 ducks to your nest, you win !

PROS
- Teaches color matching
- Pieces are large enough for small toddler to grab on to easily
- While playing game you push the Main Goose's head down; it's extremely easy to do so
- Catchy tune is played when there is a winner (you push the goose's tail and it sings a song)
- There is an on/off switch

CONS
- Duck playing pieces are made of cardboard, which over time could break-down
- Main Goose runs on batteries, which as we all know is the norm these days :)
- When you want to play for the 1st time or want to play after pressing the "winner" song, you must wait for the Goose to sing a welcome song; daughter usually keeps pushing the goose's head down while waiting for this song to start and finish, thinking that it will go quicker.
- No volume control

Daughter loves to run around the house with the goose in hand and sing and dance to it.

OVERALL An all around cute, fun game for those that are still a bit young for Chutes n Ladders or Candyland, but understand colors and taking turns.

Way too Easy
This game really does not have much excitement and is very simplistic.My 3 years old was bored with it in about 2 minutes after getting it for christmas.The game is very simple and really does not hold a child's attention very well.It is durable and the singing Mother Goose is cute however. I guess it would be alright for a child who does not already know there nursery rhymes. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Introduction To The United States Map
Our 5 year-old son plays this game with us and we all enjoy it. This game is a great way to teach children the names and locations of the states.It also teaches an interesting fact about each state.In this version of the game, the players don't have to know the names of the state capitals, but since that information is provided on the game board my son is picking up on it too.

There is a 60 second timer so you can help level the playing field by varying the amount of time older players have to read the card and give the answer.We give our son 45 seconds and my husband and I get 15 seconds.We all finish well ahead of the timer, but we find it easier to use the main intervals marked on the timer.You could use different intervals if you desired.

Durability: We buy a lot of board games and this one has held up better than the others.The cards are thick so they are not easily bent.Also each set of cards has a zip bag so they stay stacked and sorted when you put them away.

We love it.
Our daughter loves this game. She got it when she was 4.5 years old and it became an instant hit. She learned a lot from this game since then. Now she is almost five years old and we are ready to get her the Great State game for older kids. (she calls it "Great State Senior.") And we are going to give the Great State Junior game to some of her best friends for their birthdays.

Great for Vacations
Our family loves to travel the United States.I picked up this game to give my five year old son a visual aid in learning where we have been and where we plan on going.It has helped him on many level of learning.Just a great game for great kids. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Games    3. Board Games    4. Trivia    5. Geography    6. Preschool    7. Activity    8. Family Favorites   

Reviews (1)

Great fun for young children!
We got this puzzle a short while ago when our 4-yr old began blowing away the 24-piece puzzles.While not as easy as the normal 24-piece puzzles, because these pieces are slightly smaller, he quickly figured it out.Our neighbor's children, 4 y/o twins, also love this puzzle and the other Ravensburger puzzles we have.

This is a superb puzzle for almost any child (I recommend over 3 y/o) to enhance problem solving skills, vocabulary building (teaching what the ocean animals are) and for fun.I am becoming a huge fan of Ravensburger puzzles and have bought several more receently.They are not easy, but not difficult and the overall value for these puzzles can not be estimated for your child's future learning.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Puzzles    3. Jigsaw Puzzles    4. Easy Puzzles    5. Activity   

Editorial Review

VIDEONOW Jr. is the first full-color, personal video player designed specifically for preschoolers. And while the player itself is very impressive, with oversized buttons that make it easy for little hands to operate and rubberized bumpers designed to withstand the day-to-day bumps and rough handling that only preschoolers can dish out, the best thing about this portable media player is the wide variety of high-quality programming you can purchase for theplayer in the form of the VIDEONOW Jr.personal video discs. Featuring some of the most highly regarded early learning programming on TV, including Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues, The Wiggles, Barney, and Sesame Street, all of the personal video discs for the VIDEONOW Jr. player are designed to educate while they entertain. This personal disc contains scenes from the popular TV show Sesame Street. Designed exclusively for VIDEONOW JR. or VIDEONOW COLOR Players, all VIDEONOW Jr. personal video discs are interchangeable. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great for toddlers!
We got our two little boys (ages two and three) the players and they love them, it is great for Christmas roadtrips!!The love Sesame Street and this is one episode just like on tv, very much worth the money! ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Fun for adults and kids alike!
Oh my goodness -- adrenaline junkies, watch out!I sat in a room full of adults and played this game for 45 minutes... even our 5 year old nephew played!You never know when that jaw is going to snap shut -- and that startles kids and adults alike (doesn't really hurt).As long as you can laugh at your own reaction (I hollered out loud the first time and then laughed and laughed) and with others', you'll love this game.My adrenaline junkie brother-in-law loves to play it with his 3 1/2yr old daughter!Fun abounds!You'll have to MAKE it educational (counting teeth, talking about dental hygiene, etc.) -- but I bought this for our own toy closet, and we don't have kids!

Not A Great Dental Plan . . .
Last November, my son was always thrilled whenever he saw a commercial on tv for Crocodile Dentist.Therefore, he was extremely happy when he found this game under the tree on Christmas morning.However, after five months, this game has fully lost its appeal to him.And for various reasons, I see why.

First, there is very little object to this game.Players simply take turns pushing down various teeth in the crocodile's mouth.The player who presses the tooth that snaps the croc's mouth shut loses.Simple, yes, but almost too simple for my three-year-old.Usually after four rounds with the teeth, he's ready to play a different game.Consequently, the game does not hold his attention and bores him easily.In addition, my son doesn't like it when the croc's mouth snaps shut because the hard plastic hurts his small fingers.Some form of padding around the edge of the mouth would have been very helpful in softening the blow.Finally, for its simplicity, I think the game is a bit on the pricey side.

However, while there are negative aspects to this game, there are some positive ones.This game is great at teaching a child to take turns.My son also likes counting the crocodile's teeth (which leads him to counting mommy's teeth, daddy's teeth, and so on . . . ).The game itself weighs less than two pounds and is easy to transport on trips to grandma and grandpa's house.While the hard plastic on the mouth is rough on small fingers and hands, it does make the game very durable.I honestly haven't had any problems with the teeth breaking or the top of the crocodile's head snapping off.My son has dropped it, stepped on it, and it's still in one piece.Finally, I like the fact there are no batteries to use or small pieces.

Overall, Crocodile Dentist has its positive and negative points, making it an average game.I do recommend it for teaching children how to take turns and counting, but there are many other high quality (and cheaper!) games out there that do the same thing.Buy Crocodile Dentist with care. . . .

Croc is fun
I bought this for my six year old for her birthday, I think her three year sister likes it a little better.It is fun for them.They don't play with it non stop.But it does not get put away out of sight because they want to play with it a few times a week.Once in a while a tooth will stay down and then the mouth will not reset (open).When this happens I can usually push other teeth and this fixes the problem.I REALLY appreciate the fact that this toy does not need batteries. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Editorial Review

Children learn about taking turns and matchmaking in this game as they try to make pairs of elated elephants, panting puppies, smiling suns, and other familiar objects. The 72 (cardboard) cards have lively, colorful drawings that make them easy to remember and a tray for storing them. Played alone, Original Memory is a quiet activity for developing concentration and memory. With more players, it's even more of a memory challenge to remember where the cards are that have already been turned over. And you have to wait your turn, which is sometimes harder than anything. The printed rules in the box set the tone for this child-friendly game: the youngest player always goes first. --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fun game, even young children can play
The cardboard pieces are hard enough that it takes a lot of teething on them to ruin them. THey do not bend easily. My only complaint about the pieces is they are a bit small. The small size makes it a bit difficult for small hands to manipulate them at times.

THere are many small pieces so if you loose one or two, you just take the match out of the pile and toss it away too. The game will be just as fun and no one will be the wiser.

In fact, when we play with our younger children, we often times just use half of the pieces.

THe game is the traditional memory game that almost everyone has played at one point in their life. It develops eye and hand coordination, following rules, taking turns, memory skills, picture skills and more.

Well worth the money.
Enjoy.

This is not the "Original Memory".
I had the original Memory game. This isn't it. The play of the game is the same, but mine had really cool pictures. This has silly cartoon pictures. It's not as nice.

Classic games stand the test of time
You can't go wrong with most of the classic games & this one is no different. Great fun & makes them THINK! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Cards    3. Memory    4. Learning    5. Board Games    6. Family Favorites   

Reviews (9)

Simple to learn, fun to play, competitive for all ages
A new classic twist on tic-tac-toe.Get 4 in a row, but wait!Your opponent can place a bigger piece over yours, stealing your spot.Pieces stack in 4 sizes, and part of the strategy is to figure out which size piece to play, and when to use your larger pieces to steal.

Kids to adults love Gobblet, and the classic wooden presentation makes it a game to keep on the coffee table for easy play access any time.

And my 9-year-old says, "Highly competitive - I love it!"

Carolyn K., webmaster, Hoagies' Gifted Education Page

Gobble Gobble Gobble
I'm a teenager that loves games. I like board games, pencil and paper games, card games, sports...ALL KINDS!! I got GOBBLET for christmas last year. I started playing with my dad and thought this is ok...until he beat me! I was determined to win against him. On the last week of Christmas Break, we played at least 40 games. It's the most engrossing, fun, stategical game I've played. It combines the simplicity of Tic-Tac-Toe with the strategy of Chess and adds a little bit of Memory.

Highly Recommended!
My 10 Year old daughter got this game for her birthday and we love it! My 7 year old likes to play too! It is a good strategy game and my husband & I like to play with the kids. It stores in a nice wooden box.We take it on camping trips and vacations, it's compact and travels well! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Strategy Games    4. Activity    5. Family Favorites   

Editorial Review

There's no need to be boggled by words. Boggle Jr. helps children learn letters, spelling, and reading while having loads of fun! This easy version of the terrifically popular adult Boggle uses pictures and matching games to allow children to make the connection between objects and their names. With two skill levels, players can challenge themselves further as they become more adept at identifying letters and words. It will seem like no time at all before kids are begging to play their parents' version of Boggle! The game, for one or more players, includes a game tray with word cover, 30 picture/word cards with 60 three- and four-letter words, and eight letter cubes. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Just saw this game for cheaper!
I was just over at Target, and I scanned it on the price scanner and it came up as only $5.I asked a clerk if this was the sale price, and she said no, it was the regular price.

Educational but not very Entertaining
Rather than call Boggle Jr a game I would call it an educational tool.It is very boring!It has several dice and each of the sides are labeled w/a letter.There are also flash cards that you put in the holder and cover up the either 3 or 4 letter words and look at the picture to spell the words with the dice.That's basically it.Whoever spells the most words correctly wins.Not the most fun game but would be great to teach or improve childs spelling.

Good Learning GAME opportunities
I agree that the "game" is more learning vs playing per the directions.However, a little creativity and a fun, educational time can be had.The newest version that I play with my 3.5 year old son has us splitting the dice and taking turns rolling our dice with the goal of getting one of the word's letters.He has fun rolling and searching his lot even if he doesn't roll a needed letter.Plus he can easily handle 4 dice.When you roll a "needed" letter you place it in its place.The player who fills in the last letter "wins" and gets to spell out and say the word.Sometimes we make up our own songs about the winning word.This version easily keeps him happy for a half hour at a time and he has also played his own take on his own.
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Preschool    5. Learning   

Reviews (27)

Fun for Children and Adults
Yes this is challenging to put together but my 7 year old, my boyfriend and I have had a blast with this item...not to mention the 15 year old babysitter!It is worth the money (sale $29.99) due to the many hours we have already used it.As for any electronic issues...there has not been any problems so far and we have used it for four months.

NO PROBLEMS HERE!!
I read most of the reviews before I bought this for my 5 year old son as a Christmas gift and was very leary about all the bad reviews.But I bought it anyways because it was on sale for $30.00.We've had it for over 3 months now and still have absolutely no problems.My son and his friends play with it all the time and it still keeps score.It has a few different games to play and you can set the time limit.This toy has turned out to be the best Christmas bargain yet!

Fun While It Lasted
This toy was great for the two days it worked.On day two the scoreboard stopped working.I was about to contact the maker but I just read the previous reviews which have discouraged me from even trying.From now on I'll make sure and read the reviews before purchasing!!I'm very disappointed in Moose Mountain and will not purchase another item from them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Tabletop Games   

Editorial Review

This classic game has been around for nearly half a century and is just as fun as ever. The bugs' faces are a bit goofier than before, but the object remains the same: to be the first to create your own Cootie. Just arrange the bug parts on the fold-out board and roll the die to win the parts you need. (Roll a 1 and pick a body, roll a 2 and select a head, roll a 3, etc.) Body parts are made of hard plastic and come in various mix-and-match colors. Small pieces are a danger to young children, so supervision is recommended. Instructions in English and Spanish. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Instant Winner
I just baught this game for my son (4 1/2) and he loved it right away. He loves to play with me or on his own. Only drawback: the poor quality; the pieces keep on falling off. My son is very meticulous for his age and doesn't mind. He's just extra careful handling his cootie. But I think it could be a great cause of frustration. I always have to pick up my pieces and I think it takes some of the fun away. Strange that it is so poorly made. But my son has so much fun with this game and that's what matters.

Pieces Fall Out
I believe the game is fun but the pieces would not stay together. The head, body, legs, and antennae would keep falling off. This frustrated my children because they had to keep putting the pieces together after they already put them on and so it took the enjoyment out of the game. My children is 3 and 4 years old and my nephew is 6 years old.

too bad times have changed
this "new" "updated" Cootie STINKS!it is nothing like the original and this one IS NOT DURABLE.the parts are so cheep and they do not stay in the holes.Go on eBay and find an original... don't waste your money on this new version. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Reviews (1)

try this -- it's cool!
I'd never heard of this until grandma got it for my 4 year old. You put the ball on the "up" end of the lever and let it roll down to the "sweet spot," and then you step downon the "up" end and launch the ball.He's had fun experimenting with launching all sorts of things, but the soft balls that came with the flicker haven't broken anything in our house. It is an awesome concept.It takes some supervision for my son because he wants to leverage all sorts of things, and it's just not made strongly enough to be used in any way other than the prescribed manner and I'm afraid he's going to break it with all his experiments.
It teaches coordination, timing, catching.Really cool.It's priced right about what it's worth in my opinion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games   

Reviews (7)

We Love This Game!
One of my 4th graders gave me this game for Christmas to play with my 3-yr-old son. I was a bit apprehensive because I thought my son was too young to play this type of game.Boy, was I wrong!We play this every afternoon after school, and several times on the weekend.Some of the verb cards are more difficult, but he is learning as we go what things are and how to best "show" what they are.I highly recommend this game and plan on buying several for upcoming birthdays.

Real fun for little ones
This is a great game for little kids.Unlike other "kid" charades games, you don't need to read to play this.

Maybe for older kids.
I got this for my 4 and 5 1/2 year olds.It's a simple chase game, but after each move you act something out.The acting has nothing to do with the goal of the game.The acting would be fun, but my 4 year old wasn't interested in acting out the card.Instead, he always acted out a plane.My 5 1/2 year old didn't have the refinement in her movement for anyone to guess what she was doing.There are only 6 game pieces, and really no reason they had to be choking hazards.Since they truly are, I have to keep my 1 year old far away.The quality is poor.The cards are flimsy.Maybe 6 or 7 year olds would have the motor skills...but would they have the interest? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Editorial Review

In adapting the title character of Eric Carle's The Very HungryCaterpillar to a board game, the folks at Briarpatch fashioned a simple butchallenging color and shape-matching exercise for youngsters still in the pupastage of skill development. Designed specifically for kids 3 to 6 years, TheVery Hungry Caterpillar Game invites players to engage in both competitive orcooperative "everyone wins" play, all with no reading required. Flick thespinner to determine which of the five colored fruits your caterpillar wants tosnack on; remove it from your section of the board and match its shape tocomplete the wingspan of the center butterfly. With its focus on the fosteringof basic form and color recognition, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Game provides anice chrysalis from which kids can emerge. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Features

• Move shapes and colors into place to collectively make a butterfly
• Game board, 20 shapes in 5 colors, 1 spinner, and 4 caterpillar playing figures
• 1-4 players

Reviews (1)

Terrible
This is one of the worst children's games I ever played.There are caterpillars to move around, but they don't really go anywhere, and it's so simple that even my 3 year old is completely bored with it.Buy any other game but this one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Party Games    4. Board Games    5. Preschool    6. Activity    7. Family Favorites   

Reviews (3)

MLB Superstars Baseball Game
My wife and I purchased this game to play with our nephews and nieces when they visit.The kids have enjoyed it very much, and I like it a lot better than some of the other children's games because of the baseball references.It's been a lot of fun for all of us to play.

Great for Kids!
This game is educational fun for youngsters.It teaches them about primary colors and numbers, and introduces them to some of the basic terms of baseball (doubles, home runs, etc.).They also learn the names of today's baseball stars.Since there is no strategy involved, youngsters have as much opportunity to win as do adults playing against them.I also appreciate that the game parts are quite sturdy, and can easily be cleaned when the inevitable peanut butter or jelly gets on them.I highly recommend it.

Quick, fun game for 4-7 age group
I purchased the game for my son's 4th birthday and he likes it very much. It's a simple game (as it should be for 4 year olds). Basically, it's a race around the bases. It plays quickly so hedoesn't lose interest before it's over - in fact we usually have to play twice. The board and game pieces are very bright with the primary color scheme that appeals to 4 year olds.

Most importantly, he is learning baseball terms and players. For his birthday I took him to his first game (Expos at the Phillies).We played the APBA game the next day and when he drew the Scott Rolen card, I pointed out we had seen Rolen play. Now every time he draws Rolen or Vladimir Guerrero, he points out that we saw them in the game we went to. He can even pronounce "Nomar Garciaparra"!

Good job by APBA. I think the game is well designed for the 4-7 age group. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports   

Reviews (8)

Cute Poppa!
We got this for our 6 yr old and she loves it.I thought it was really cute and there are a lot of pieces for the pizza! Our 4 yr old found it intimidating at first. She started to have fun when we all screamed each time a topping was placed on the pizza and it began to tip!For a more challenging game, Poppa can stand without the base.The pizza is a little slick, but the pizza toppings were made of rubber which helped (a little) keep the pieces from slipping.A lot of fun for the whole family (our 12 yr old likes it too).I recommend this game for kids 6 yrs and up.

GREAT FAMILY FUN!
Our 5 year old daughter got this as a holiday gift.It's turned out to be a favorite game for the entire family and friends.It's a clever, fun, fast and creative game for the whole family.Even our 2 year old son loves it - however it changes the whole out come of the game.He stands back and just throws toppings at the wobbling pie but he's entertained for 15 or 20 minutes so that's worth a lot!We'd recommend this as a birthday gift to kids because it's unique and fun.

Challenging
My 5 year old twins really like this game...it is sometimes difficult to balance the toppings, but that is why they like it so much.On the other hand, my 3 year old finds it very frustrating. If you are considering purchasing this for a younger child you can rough up the pizza part with a piece of sand paper to help with the slippage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Games    3. Strategy Games    4. Activity    5. Learning    6. Family Favorites