A playful Bug (Build a Beetle)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	Build a Beetle
Date:	24/02/06 (755 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

Like most children my 3 –year old loves to play simple games with me. He likes it even better when he wins and is a dab hand at finding ways to ensure he does!

I always buy a few new games for Christmas and this year I bought the game build a beetle. There are several versions of this popular game and all are similar. The version I choose is by Chad Valley and exclusively available from Woolworth’s. I paid £ 3.99 during a promotional offer period.

What do you get for your money?
****************************
The game comes in a fairly compact square box making it easy to store. Inside the box are 4 plastic beetle bodies, 4 beetle heads, 4 noses, 8 eyes, 8 feelers, 24 feet and 1 dice. There is also a storage tray and an instruction sheet.

The object of the game is very simply to be the first to build up a beetle. The first player has to throw a 1 to choose a beetle body. Each number thrown represents a different beetle part. For example throw a 6 and you can add a leg.

The parts are made of coloured plastic and seem very durable.

The verdict
***********
For the money this game is a real winner. It is simple to play and does not last too long. It is good for teaching early maths and my son can now recognise the number patterns on a dice. It is also good for teaching co-operation, as you have to wait your turn. Any game that is still played regularly several months after it arrives in our home gets the thumbs up!

The plastic storage tray supplied is useful to store all the beetle parts before you start to play the game. My son enjoys sorting them out into the correct section, another useful early mathematical skill.
The box states that the game is suitable from age 4. As there are small parts I always supervise my son when this game is out. As he gets older I hope he will continue to play the game with his older brother.

I would recommend this game as a great addition to any toy cupboard!

Summary: A popular ,classic game