I'll make no bones about it, I adore Orchard Toys games, there is not a single one I don't think highly of. We've built up a sizeable collection of different games this year and they are played, and loved, regularly. Our penultimate review as a Toyologist family is for the Orchard Toys Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes game.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes is a simple turn-taking game suitable for 3years+. The Boy is two and a half years old and coped with the basic principle of the game with no problem at all.
Of course the best bit about any Orchard Toys game is the popping out of the pieces to start with!
1) There are 32 body parts cards which have to be placed figure side down and coloured circle side up.
2) Assemble the jigged game boards. There are four in total, and they show the eight different body parts that are mentioned in the song.
3) Spin the coloured spinner to land on one of the four colours.
4) Pick up one of the coloured cards matching that colour.
5) If you haven't got that body part card, lay it down on your board. If you have, return it to the pile, and miss your turn.
6) The winner is the person who has all the body parts covered first.
Afterwards, the winner must sing the song of the game:
The rules supplied by Orchard Toys suggest additional rules which can make this more challenging for older children. In addition there are also four 'wild' cards which show all body parts on the card. When these are picked up then they can cover any body part on your board. I didn't use these because I felt the concept was too hard for him to understand at the moment.
One of the best things about Orchard Toys games are the educational guides that are on the back of each box. This is no exception:
- Develops colour matching skills (pre-Maths skills)
- Reinforces rhyming skills (Oracy development)
- Reinforces naming and recognition of body parts (Scientific development)
- Encourages memory and turn-taking (Logical development)
The pieces are, as always, sturdy and attractive, and the spinner moves easily (always a bonus). As with many Orchard Toys games, the rules are adaptable for the needs of the child. It's a fun game which can be played in a short amount of time or in more detail. This is a complete and utter winner with us!
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We were sent this for the purpose of the review. Our opinion is honest and unbiased. Oh and I had to bribe The Boy with chocolate to sing the song for the video.
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