- Encourages kids to run and move during play
- Teaches values of helping, caring, problem-solving
- Kids in a broad range of ages can play
- Competition is de-emphasized
- No reading required
- Total active time is limited (8-10 minutes per game)
- Walkie-talkie accessory requires batteries
- Recommended for ages 4 to 8
- Comes with walkie-talkie accessory and four sturdy animal masks
- Players must listen to the walkie-talkie for instructions, then draw cards to help care for zoo animals
- At surprise intervals, players must grab a zoo animal mask and "escape" to a hiding place
Curious George's adorable board game was an instant hit at our house. My two children, ages 4 and 7, picked it up immediately, and both enjoyed playing--not always easy when you have a boy and a girl spaced three years apart.
The rules and how-tos are simple. As George's helper, players take turns listening to the game's walkie-talkie (which looks and sounds impressively authentic). Depending on the its request, kids help animals by turning over cards in different zoo habitats and then spinning a spinner. The spinner is attached to the board; that means one less piece to lose.
Players must listen carefully to the walkie-talkie to receive their instructions. They also learn which animals live in what habitat, and must match cards picturing animals who need help with pictures showing the scene resolved. Icons on the spinner help players match up problems with solutions. I found these too small to be of much use, but my kids didn't need them anyway.
The active play angle comes in when the walkie-talkie announces that the zoo animals have escaped. Excitement ensues as all the players (except the walkie-talkie holder) grab an animal mask and scurry off to hide. The remaining player then has two minutes to find the hidden animals.
While playing this game isn't a substitute for sustained, vigorous physical activity, it does break up an otherwise sedentary playing experience with some welcome action. Plus, kids can use the walkie-talkie and animal masks for active pretend play even without the board game.
Players earn points for solving problems in the zoo and for finding escaped animals, but my children cared little about the final score. Mostly, they just wanted to play "again!" and "again!" Parents will appreciate that the game has a finite, not-too-long running time--no drawn-out sessions here, and repeat play is fun.
