Product Review: Orchard Toys Goldilocks & The Three Bears

You'll have maybe seen on my blog in the past that we're Orchard Toys fans in this house. Our first purchase was the Shopping List game and we've never looked back since! We're lucky enough that we get to try out the odd new game from Orchard Toys and to this end were recently sent one of their new products, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, to try out.

All Orchard Toy games are bright and eye-catching with an attractive design that appeals to children. Most of the games are simple enough for even young children to grasp, with the rules not being overly complicated. Most of the games are also non-gender specific which means by son and daughter play them quite happily together.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a game aged at children aged 4+ and is for 2-4 players. The game is designed to develop turn taking and communication skills (very important!), develop concentration and interaction skills, promote number recognition and counting and links into the National Curriculum Maths Key Stage 1. I know that these games are highly rated as our school, which is full of maths stalwarts, regularly use them in the reception classes to gently encourage children into learning the basics.

What's in the box? The contents include 1 playing board, 1 Goldilocks character card, 4 Three Bears character cards, 5 plastic character card stands, 1 dice, 1 spinner (which is needed for the 2 player game), 8 honey pot discs, 1 door card and 3 room cards.

The aim of the game is to be the first player to race home to the Three Bears House to stop Goldilocks from eating Baby Bear's porridge, breaking his chair and of course, sleeping in his bed.  There are two ways to play the game depending on how many players are taking part. 

My children loved  playing the game and I liked that the maths skills required during the game were able to help reinforce my sons basic knowledge of the subject but simple enough not to undermine or damage his confidence. My daughter who is far more confident and advanced with her maths still enjoyed the game even though the educational part was basic for her (she's 7). 

As with all of the Orchard Toys products we've bought and reviewed in the past - this product is well made and I know it will stand the test of time. The games are Made in England using recycled board so you can be proud that you are a) buying British and b) helping the environment!

With thanks to Orchard Toys for providing this game for review.