From the makers of the fantastic board games, Cranium and Cranium Cadoo, comes a new toy that is a perfect fit for preschoolers. Cranium Cariboo features a gameboard with pop-open windows that may or may not hide a colorful ball--where each of the six balls is hiding is a mystery each time kids play!
Cariboo combines matching (colors, numbers to sets of objects, letters, and shapes) with the suspense of discovery. The balls, pop-open doors, and the treasure chest itself are all kid-pleasing effects. The game is simple, as it should be for the target age group. First, young players send six balls through secret tunnels, wait until they hear them settle, and then begin taking turns playing the game. The first player draws a card that either features a number, a letter (A, B, or C), a color, or a shape. Players find a tile (there are 15 in all) on the board that provides a match with the card they are holding. For example, if a number 4 card is drawn, they look for any tile that bears an image of a set of four objects; a red card can be matched up with any tile that features red objects; and so forth. With the game's special purple key, they "unlock" the tile--it pops open to reveal nothing, or a colorful ball! If a ball is under the tile, the player places it into the "tumbling tide pool". The sixth and last ball found opens up a treasure chest to reveal a shiny jewel, and determines the winner of the game.
While the game doesn't take children on an actual treasure hunt, the theme is a popular one. Included in the box is a treasure map, simply designed to inspire imagination beyond the game itself. Cariboo is easy to learn and to play, making it perfectly suited to the preschool crowd. Cariboo helps teach children to take turns, play fair, and use matching skills. It's not particularly challenging or taxing on the brain, but it is enjoyable even for children who have already learned their colors, shapes, and counting.
Although designed for more than one player, our testers enjoyed playing the game independently as well. Cariboo features an attractive design and exciting gameplay, and its appeal to our testers has been outstanding.
