Editorial Review

Outfitted in orange and purple, this electronic learning system for preschoolers plugs directly into a television, and at first take looks a lot like a video-game console. Insert any of Vtech's "Smartridges" into the unit for lessons on language, math, phonics, problem-solving, music, and more. Children can choose between two difficulty levels. Included are a large joystick, adjustable to right- and left-handed kids, and an Alphabet Park Adventure cartridge; other cartridges are sold separately. There's also a storage compartment on top that holds up to six cartridges. The system can run on either three C batteries or an AC adaptor; strangely, neither are included. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Reviews (260)

Don't Buy This
This started out to be a wonderful toy for my 4 year old son.But after a month (and after I'd spent quite a bit of money on the cartridges) the problems started.The power goes on & off at will.When I called the V-tech 1-800 number they walk me through the re-set process which takes 2 minutes & is a pain the he heiney.And within a few days it happens again.What a pain...

vsmile a bit disappointing
I bought the vsmile thinking it looked cute and would be a great way for my child to learn.From the beginning, the controller had a loose part rattling around in it.After about two weeks the "enter" button kept getting stuck.I had to pay shipping to send it back, but it was replaced with a new one.I will be calling tommorrow to have the unit replaced.Often the power button would stay on and now after replacing batteries, the power won't even come on.A bit disappointed at this point because my child rarely got to play with it.

stopped working
I thought that this was a cool toy until it stopped working afer about 2 weeks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Games    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic    5. Math    6. Alphabet    7. Preschool   

Reviews (7)

Not so great for every youngster!
I bought this game for my boys after they already learned their letter sounds from the Letter Factory DVD (like everyone else, I HIGHLY recommend the DVD!)
I've been disappointed because:
1) Professor Quigley talks too much, and if several people are playing, it takes forever to get through everyone's turn!There's no way to skip Quigley's whole monologue with every letter.One active 5-yr. old boy thought it was "boring".His 3-yr. old brother played for a while, but also lost interest.
2.) The harder level of play asks for matching letters to letter sounds (which my kids can do) and also asks "What letter comes before B?" (which my kids totally don't understand.)The easier level of play asks kids to get a certain color of card, and then move forward a certain number of spaces.Too easy for the 5-yr old, but it works well for my 2-yr. old if I help move the marker.
3.) I lost a letter card from my set, and was thrilled when I called customer service and they offered to send a whole replacement set of cards!Several weeks later, I called back... found out the cards aren't in stock and they'll send them when available... I've been waiting THREE MONTHS now for a replacement set (although I'd be happy just to have the one missing card!)

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!!
My son, who just turned 3 LOVES,LOVES,LOVES this game! He can play by himself or with us and he runs around the house singing his phonics sounds! We got him the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics last year to help him learn his letters, but once we got him the Letter Factory DVD, he really caught on and can play this at Level 2 providing he pays attention.Fully interactive, he can repeat the question with a push of a button and has several tries to answer correctly. Also, the game keeps track of each player and seems to advance everyone so they stay fairly close together. I also like that it continues past the first "winner" and lets the other players finish and win.This game is absolutely the bast of all the other we got him!

EXCELLENT EDCUCATIONAL FUN INDEPENDANT PLAY
GREAT FOR THE KIDS AGES 4 AND UP. INDEPENDANT PLAY NO PROBLEM, (AFTER YOU SHOW THEM HOW TO SET IT UP JUST ONCE) MY 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD LOVE THIS GAME. GREAT EDUCATIONAL VALUE 2 LEVELS OF PLAY FOR BEGINNING ALPHABET TO SOUNDING OUT WORDS. EXCELLENT, THANK YOU LEAP FROG. WORTH EVERY PENNY !! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Talking    4. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    5. Electronic    6. Math    7. Alphabet    8. Music   

Reviews (21)

2 players= 2 joysticks
I read one of the earlier reviews that suggested not to get the second joystick, but I ended up buying it anyway. I am so glad I did for several reasons:
1. you cannot select 2 players w/o having a second controller
plugged in.
2. not having to pull one child off the system to allow the other child to have a turn.
We have almost every game for this system, and now both children can enjoy it:)

JOYSTICK DILEMA
I BOUGHT THE V.SMILE SYSTEM FOR MY 3 YEAR OLD FOR CHRISTMAS THE GAMES ARE EDUCATIONAL AND SHE ENJOYS THE SYSTEM BUT IM DISSAPPOINTED THAT THE JOYSTICK HAS MALFUNCTIONED SO QUICKLY MY DAUGHTER GETS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE SHE CAN'T MOVE LEFT,RIGHT,UP OR DOWN. I E-MAILED VTECH WITH THE PROBLEM AND STILL HAVE NOT GOT A RESPONSE FROM THEM ITS GOING TO COST ME $14 PLUS SHIPPING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER JOYSTICK WITH THE HOPES THAT IT WILL WORK AND NOT MALFUNCTION LIKE THE FIRST ONE

Good Joystick
This joystick is well-designed and great for little kids.The colored buttons flash when you're supposed to use them, the main button is big enough so that even very yound kids can be successful using it, and the cord is really long so you can sit anywhere.Even though my three kids are all right-handed I think it's cool that the stick can be reversed for left-handed kids.

One reviewer mentioned the second joystick isn't necessary for two player games.I agree that it shouldn't be necessary but it actually is necessary in the games we've played.Instead of two players playing at the same time, they take turns (this is how 2-player games work in The Lion King and Alphabet Park Adventure).The fact is that the players can't simply pass the same joystick back and forth.The second joystick is required.

I would have liked it if the V.Smile system and the joystick were designed like other gaming systems, whereby if you yank on the controller it will easily detach from the system before the console falls off of, say, a shelf or a tv.That would have been a good feature for a game designed for young kids. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic    5. Alphabet    6. Preschool    7. Music   

Features

• It's Bingo with a zing
• Pictures instead of numbers
• Teaches image/word recognition, matching, verbalization, concentration, memory and motor skills
• Includes Zingo tile dispenser, 72 picture tiles, and 8 double-sided cards
• Imported

Reviews (7)

Great Game!!
My daughter got this game for her 3rd birthday.She and her 4-year-old sister love to play this game daily!!Now I am buying more to give as birthday gifts to friends/family.

A Great Gift that Kids Love
I bought this game for my children several years ago on the advice of the owner of my favorite toy store.I love board games, and my children were 3 and 5 then, and just starting to enjoy them as well.Well, we couldn't get the kids to stop playing Zingo.They played quietly for more than 2 hours.Since you can play with up to 8 players, we have had lots of neighborhood kids playing the game out on the front steps.Since then, I have bought at least 10 Zingo games -- I have given them to all my children's friends and I always keep a few around to give out for birthday gifts.Everyone loves this game.

great design, great fun
This preschooler variation of the old favorite Bingo is a real winner.

Zingo cards have a 3 by 3 grid that shows pictures and words.Cards have a yellow side (easier, for younger kids) and a red side for the odler ones.The plastic game piece dispenser is well-designed and fun to use.Players shout out to claim a piece, which is then placed over the appropriate square on the player's card.There are several play variations.

Excellent game for the younger set, and fun for older children and adults as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Games    3. Learning    4. Reading    5. Board Games    6. Brain Games    7. Wacky    8. Strategy Games    9. Activity    10. Family Favorites   

Reviews (14)

I bought VSmile for my 4 yr. old
I bought this game for my son.He is so smart and loves to learn.It helps to show him what I have already tought him myself.

great for 4-6 year olds
My four year old and six year old love this game.It's probably their favorite.Yes, it requires spelling, but it's not difficult.Scooby's little roller coaster jumps up and collects the letters to spell out the word.But it's not like any points are docked for collecting a wrong letter.It's lots of fun.

So much fun.
I got this game for my daughter who just turned four in spite of all the other reviews.She absolutely loves Scooby Doo and loves this game.There are a few parts that have taken her a little while to master, but not to the point that she gets frustrated.I do not think that it is too hard at all for a four year old. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic    5. Math    6. Alphabet    7. Preschool    8. Music   

Reviews (15)

Not one of Vsmiles best games
My daughter enjoys this game because she loves care bears but there is not really much to this game.It is great for a young child (one who is just learning their alphabet).Even the more difficult levels offer little change or challenge in play.Although we are still big fans of the Vsmile toy itself. I would much rather see my daughter playing this game opposed to a game boy or x box which offer little to no educational value.

TOO EASY!!
When we bought my daughter the v-smile game system we got her this game to go along with it.She never hardly plays it because it is so simple.Chasing color balloons and stars, catching a falling letter.Chasing shapes that appear in the exact order you are supposed to put them in.If your child is having problems learning how to use a joy stick this game may help them master that, but it is not challenging for children at all.

I agree with the other parents
I bought this for my 3 year old daughter. It was too easy, and very boring. She wont even play it. There's 20.00 down the drain. Don't buy it. I am working on getting her some of the other games. I hope they will be better at teaching her. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic    5. Math    6. Alphabet    7. Preschool    8. Music   

Editorial Review

Round and round she goes. Hi Ho! Cherry-O is the counting game in which players race to be the first to have 10 cherries in their basket. A spin of the arrow determines your fate. It will instruct you to pick one, two, three, or four cherries from your tree and put 'em in your basket. That is, of course, if you don't land on the bird or the dog, requiring you to take two cherries from your basket and return them to the tree. And try not to land on the spilled bucket or--you guessed it--spill the contents of your basket or you start over. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Great game!
This is one of my four-year-old daughter's favorite games, just like it was one of mine when I was her age.She loves to count the cherries as she takes them off, and even loves when the bird or dog takes some.She'll play this for about half an hour or more, even if she loses.

Buy this game!!
My 2.5 year old LOVES to play games. She is very good about taking turns, and is crazy for games. However, it's hard to find a good, simple, straight forward game for this age group. Most of them have incredibly complicated rules. This game is great. Of course, my daughter loves to count, so counting the cherries is great fun for her. She also loves to spin the spinner and she loves to say "Oh no" when you have to put the cherries back. It's a game that will last for many years. Her brother who is 19 remembers this game and will actually play it with her (sometimes).

The best things: No batteries, no complicated rules, doesn't take up a lot of room like some games (with big boxes), older kids will play with younger kids, parents enjoy it, and I guess I should add that it is educational too. But most importantly it's just fun.

The worst thing: No extra cherries. We have lost a couple so we can only play with 3 people, but that's fine.

A Game of Chance
Hi Ho Cherry-O is a game of chance that includes cute little red cherries.Gameplay is very simple.You just spin the spinner and whatever number the arrow lands on is how many cherries you receive.But if you land on a dog or bird, you lose all of your cherries.The player with the most cherries wins.Aimed toward the preschool and kindergarten level, this colorful game teaches counting, as well as good sportsmanship.And parents can be free of guilt, since the game is up to chance, so you're not really lying when your child asks if you let them win!I recommend this game to little ones who aren't quite ready for the big-kid games. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Math    4. Preschool    5. Board Games    6. Family Favorites   

Editorial Review

Like well-illustrated books, Tell-A-Story offers worlds forchildren to enter. In this game, 50 picture cards teach memory, reading,and storytelling skills as children invent stories to match thepictures. Whenever a player collects five cards with the same character,he or she arranges the cards to create and tell a story. Parents mayneed to help little ones lay out the cards, but once they're launched,kids will want to return to the same story over and over again.--Lynne Sampson ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

The Goodnight Moon Game is a collection of six matching and memory skill-building activities of gradually increasing difficulty featuring charming illustrations from the children's book classic. At the beginner's level, children match cards to identical images on the game board. They then graduate to games involving memory skills, while also matching images that are similar but not identical. Once you've matched and memorized to your child's content, cuddle up together to read Goodnight Moon. No reading is required to play the games. Includes four playing boards, 24 matching cards, and the rules. Winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Toy Award. Goodnight Moon Game is for one to four players. --Elizabeth Ward ... Read more

Features

• 6 ways to play: beginners to advanced
• 4 playing boards, 24 "matching" cards and 1 Goodnight Moon room game board
• 1-4 players

Reviews (2)

2.5 year old loves it!
My daughter loved the book as a baby, and she loves the game now. She enjoys I-Spy books and the card game as well. Finding and matching images is a lot of fun for her. The fact that this ties into the book makes this even more fun.

great game
we've had this game since my son was 18 months - and we're still playing with it at almost 3. it's basically a memory game, but you can play it competitively, or not, with colors, or with black and white. if you love the book, this is a nice addition. the only problem is the cards - with a toddler, it's kind of hard to keep them on the table together, much less in the right "spots". but if your kid is kind of orderly, this is a great game to play with them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Games    3. Cards    4. Matching    5. Brain Games    6. Board Games    7. Preschool    8. Toddler    9. Activity   

Reviews (4)

Mommy toy shopper for 2 toddler boys (3 and 2).
My boys love this toy.I'm a stay at home mom always searching for fun, safe, educational toys for my boys.I always review the toys first before I allow the boys to play with them.This toy is so cute that I played with it for 15 minutes. I called the boys to show them their new toy and it was a big hit the minute they saw it. My boys are having fun and learning their letters too. This is one of the best alphabet learning toys I've bought so far.

Great Toy for Preschoolers!
My daughter is 3 1/2 and she just loves this toy.We pretend like she is in school and the teacher is talking to her too.She understands how class is and how different every child is and she finds it very interesting.I think it will help ease her mind before she starts going to school.It has alot of games on it too that keeps her interested in it.I would buy this toy over and over again.It also has a volume button which is great since most toys are very very loud.I would recommend this toy to anyone!

Great for preschoolers
I bought this two months ago for my four year old.She plays with it sporadically which at first made me think that she didn't really like it that much.But, in playing word games with her orally, she will say "/G/ /G/ /G/...Greg.It's the letter G"Sometimes she has to run over to the game to check to see where the kid with the /i/ sound is, for example.Then she comes running back to tell me the letter that makes that sound.As she gets older, I think she will enjoy playing all of the games available with this toy, but for now, even the small amount of time she spends playing with it has made a big difference in her early phonics learning. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Games    4. Talking    5. Board Games    6. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    7. Electronic    8. Alphabet   

Editorial Review

So many children's games require an adult to help out or setthings up. Not this one. The Snail's Pace Race is a simple game thatproceeds at a child's pace. Everything is based on colors, including thedice, without a printed word in sight. Players roll the dice to seewhich two of the colorful wooden snails they'll move forward one spaceon the board. No matter how many children play, all six snails enter therace. The goal is to guess which snail will be the first--or thelast--to cross the finish line. --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

great for little ones
my son does not yet understand the "choosing a color" and sticking to that same color throughout the game thing.this is a great game that teaches him to take turns without getting frustrated that he can't be the same color as momma.We love it!It is a great introduction to more sophisticated board games.

Snail's Pace Race Game is perfect!!
I love this game!!My son has been playing it for 2 years now.He's 4.5 yrs old right now.It's so easy to learn and great fun for up to 6 people!!We make it a little more challenging by taking two colored snails each and trying to remember which are ours when the colors are rolled.For our family of 3, that makes it lots of fun!I advise everyone to buy this game if there are young children in your house.You will NOT be disappointed.

A wonderful first board game!
We bought this game for our son when he was barely 3 years old.He is now almost 6 and still loves it.The game is simple enough for him to play with his friends without adult help, since everything is based on colors and no reading is required.The beauty of this game, though, is that children can have fun without competing against each other.Since all children move all of the snails, it is the snails who race and who win or lose.Since no child loses, there are no hurt feelings.Plus, it's fun to try to guess which snail will win! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool    4. Bugs    5. Learning    6. Toddler   

Editorial Review

"Dear Pen Pal, Konnichi wa! We've been to see Mt. Fuji. Name my country! Sayonara, Michiko." Challenge your group with this fast-paced geography game, created in 1992 by Educational Insights, Inc. Everyone begins at the post office. Players twirl a finely printed spinner (built into the game board itself) to select one of 60 countries. If the player can correctly identify the country's location on the board's numbered map, he or she may advance along the path to the finish. Bonus moves are won by landing on "postcard" spaces, listening to the clues on one of the 40 postcards, and correctly identifying the pen pal's country. (The sample postcard above came from Japan.) A more challenging game can be achieved by requiring players to name the country's capital; answers are provided. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Game - BEWARE SHIPPING
This is a great educational family game.
However, please be aware that Amazon ships this game wrapped in a plastic bag with no padding.Another game of the same order was received was crushed and torn on one corner.Amazon promptly arranged a pickup and replacement.This game arrive with crushed edges, but I decided to keep it rather than deal with another return.I figured it could have been worse; imagine a small unprotected board game competing with other shipments in a UPS truck.Amazon used to pack items in a box with packing material.This is no longer the case.Beware.

Better for younger children, but needs improvements
Great idea for a board game with lots of learning potential for younger children, however children 10+ years may soon find this formula a little unchallenging. Several improvements could make this a better product; notably, heavier paper for the frequently handled question cards, and a much larger map on the game board. Some of the countries appear too small for grandparents and children with poor eyesight. Also, the spinner is labeled with text that should be larger. With just a few design changes and the opportunity to purchase additional question card packs, perhaps geared towards different age groups, we could recommend this game more enthusiastically.

My daughter's favorite
This game really puts the world at your child's fingertips.My daughter begs to play even after her dad and I are pooped.And at eight years old, she knows more about geography than I did when I was much older.I'm getting her "Name That State" for her birthday and expect the same reaction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Learning    4. Geography    5. Activity   

Editorial Review

"I spy a spider, a baby in blue, memory games are fun to do!" If you and your kids enjoy the I Spy book series, then you'll want to play the I Spy Memory Game! It's like other memory games, except that there are a few twists such as differing backgrounds on matching cards, funny riddles, and fascinating details in the photo cards. The game can be played three different ways. The simplest version is the basic matching of memory card pairs.Kids as young as 4 can play, and no reading is required. Two slightly more complex games use the riddle cards. Instructions are also given for variations that involve playing the game as a cooperative team, playing riddle solitaire, and playing a matching game through associations with the objects on the cards. The I Spy Memory Game comes with 60 memory cards, 15 riddle cards, and an instruction booklet. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Features

• 2 ways to play: memory matching and memory and riddle solving
• Includes 60 memory cards, 15 riddle cards and game instructions
• 1-6 players

Reviews (3)

Great for Families
This is a great family game. Young children can play this game as well as adults. My son who is four loves this game. It is a traditional game with a new look. Some of them are a little bit difficult in that the matches might have different backgrounds or be a silghtly different view of the same item. It makes you think.

We have enjoyed the books and now we enjoy the game. The pictures on the game look like they come right from the book.

I particularly like that this game will grow with my children. There are riddle cards that you can use in one type of game. And directions for other games as well.

Enjoy.

A classic game with a refreshing new look.
The game of memory is a great equalizer because little children are just as apt to remember where they saw the hidden images as older children or adults.This makes it great game for the whole family to play together. The images from the "I Spy" book illustrations are bright andcreative.They don't match exactly- for instance, there might be twoimages of cats, but borrowed from different photographs in the I Spy books. So there is a bit more visual variety to spice things up.This is a muchmore attractive memory game than most, and would make an ideal gift for achild or family.

Game inventor reviews.
Hi! My name is Martine Redman and I'm the inventor of the I Spy™ MemoryGame by Briarpatch. I've given this game to a lot of kids, and it's greatto hear parents report back to me that the kids play it over and over. We've won a number of awards for it, including Parents Choice Gold Seal, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seal, Teacher's Choice, and many more. Best of all is the fun I have playing I Spy Memory Game with kids, who give the game the ultimate compliment, "Let's play it again!" Other award-winning Briarpatch games include the Goodnight Moon Game for ages 2 1/2 to 6, and the Maisy™ Game for ages 3-6.END ... Read more

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

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)

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)

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

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 (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   

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   

Reviews (6)

One of our family favorites!
My kids (ages 6, 8, and 10) LOVE this game which we've had for about a year.We play a slightly different variety when the older kids are playing... you can hold one card in your hand instead of playing every card immediately.This puts a little bit of strategy into the game.

I brought this game along to a sleepover with my daughter's Girl Scout troop (a bunch of 10-year olds) and they couldn't get enough of this game!

Slithery fun for all..in every home should have at least one
I own it and I don't even have kids!(I do have two pet snakes, though.)

Another benefit of his besides those mentioned in the other reviews...Hisss is a good physical game too, because you have to stre-e-e-tch your body to place the cards in position when the snakes get long.

Here's a tip - buy two sets and play with 100 cards instead of 50.This makes even longer snakes possible and also gives you two of every head and tail card!Just make plenty of floor space available!

Mommy and Daddy's favorite game
If it were up to me, I'd burn Chutes and Ladders and Candyland. This game is so much "funner".It's different each time you play.My husband and I even played it by ourselves one night.Our four year old daughter absolutely loves it.Additionally, the cards are very thick and sturdy and will travel well. ... Read more

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