Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
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Just a quick report since there is zero content for this game -- I sat down with my daughter (10) and two of my sons (6 and 4) to a game of Froggy Boogie that we just purchased for $25.95 full retail ("Family Game Store" in Savage Mill Mall, Maryland).
My daughter set up the game and I had one eye on it while the game got started. All three enjoyed the game very much, as did I, and the four-year-old stayed focused on the game until the end. Very simple rules, and easy for the little ones to stay in the game. Players who do not win can continue the game for 2nd place, 3rd, and so on. A good game, and on this first pass I am pleased with the purchase.
Pieces are solid wood by the way, cute and bright, simple and tough enough to last 100 years (literally). Even the box is plush.
Sag.
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Nissan Chaw
United States
California
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 This is a great game for families to play, adults have a bit of an advantage in the memory area... Although your kids my surprise you!!
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Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
-
I respectfully disagree. I have WAY too many things on my mind most days to have an advantage on the kids in this memory game. I play my best and hope to not embarrass myself.
Sag.
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Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
-
My kids are up to about 25 plays now, between themselves, with a neighbor, and with a kid they met at their brother's soccer practice. Still going strong -- they played this afternoon.
Sag.
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William Bekking
Canada
Kanata
Ontario
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Hi,
How similar is Froggy Boogie to Chicken Cha Cha Cha? I realize they are both memory games, but are they significantly different that owning both is not redundant?
This game certainly looks good and from your review, Sag, it seems like a winner. I am wondering though if there is something perhaps better for people who have Cha Cha Cha?
Thanks in advance.
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Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
-
From your choice of microbadges it is immediately apparent that you enjoy racing with your kids, although I think the checkered flag is a bit over the top.
Indeed Froggy Boogie is similar to Chicken Cha Cha Cha in concept, although its exectution is a bit different. I would not rule out both as I think Froggy Boogie has the advantage of being virtually heirloom quality. In my opinion this is a fine game for a grandparent to give as a gift and, considering the components, that may indeed occur with the copy you buy today in 2060 when your children have grandkids of their own. It doesn't hurt that I've found the game to be a very dependable hit.
Depending on the age of your kids, I might steer you to these games, which are not memory based:
Burg Appenzel -- Kids 4-10 (parent needs to be present for entire game). Move, Discover, Plan, Plunge opponents to their doom.
Amazing Labyrinth -- Kids 5-15 (little or no parental help depending on age). Puzzle Solve, Move, Plan Ahead.
Marrakesh -- Kids 6-12. Move, Manage, Make Critical Decisions.
All three of these are good kid's games and worth your review.
Goodness knows there are plenty more out there and I am open to any recommendations you have as well.
Sag.
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William Bekking
Canada
Kanata
Ontario
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Well, I see from your avatar that you are a very scholarly individual, so I thank you for your insightful response.
Froggy Boogie does look like a very well made game; I admit to being on the fence about it.
I have three girls (11, 8 and just about to turn 3). I am thinking of Froggy Boogie as a gift for the 3 year old. However, I would not like to get something too similar to what we already have if something else just as good is available. So, I will look into your other suggestions. Thanks.
My youngest has a lot of fun with Tumblin-Dice. She likes flicking the dice, but of course is too young for much else.
She also regularly asks for Chicken Cha Cha Cha and Gulo Gulo
She also liked Balancing Moon for awhile. I will have to reintroduce this to her.
Yesterday she asked for Cathedral.
Her game playing is more playing with the game than anything else (most of our games were both for the older two).
I enjoy reading your posts and reviews, Sag. You seem to have quite a good handle on what it takes to play games with kids.
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Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
-
Given the age of your kids, I would likely recommend against Froggy Boogie, as it will soon be out-of-scope for you. What I would recommend instead would be:
Diamant -- Three-year-old can participate and the older kids will enjoy as well. I'm pretty doggone tired of the game after 28 plays but my kids (10, 7, 4, and 4) still love it and my buddies want to pull it out each week too. I have been listing record wins in the box lid (name, number of players and gems scored) which I think keeps everyone interested in breaking the records. Easy, quick, fun, we actually play on weekend evenings during dinner, with the board in the middle and the food on the outside. Yes, I treat my important games with this little respect. I am so ashamed.
PitchCar -- Pricey, but well worth the money. Virtually indestructible short of flood or fire, easy to play even for my little ones, and a lot of fun from the first game forward. I have 33 plays on this game and still greatly enjoy it. The kids love it, and my buddies and I use it regularly as the closer game for the night, with a lot of noise and action to keep the fun up. I had this on my "thinking about it" list and my wife bought it for me for my birthday instead of my "loves" and "likes" because she said it looked like more fun than the stodgy games, and to a large extent she's right. Any age can get in the game and have a lot of fun, and I've had it on the table when my NASCAR-loving neighbors have stopped by and they've jumped into the game.
The mini version is cheaper and apparently just as much fun, but I have not seen it.
My buddy Pepsi4Me2 is due to get Tumblin-Dice so I'm holding off on that one for the moment.
My youngest two are growing out of the very youngest games, and their tastes are lifted by their older brother, so I will soon not have my testbed for the very youngest games. But Cathedral has been on my list.
As a quick aside, my seven-year-old loves the box that El Grande comes in, and asks to play on a regular basis. Needless to say I steer him to other titles. I think this is the heart-and-soul issue about gaming with kids. They realize that playing a game with you means they are going to get an hour of uninterrupted time so they're pretty much willing to play anything that will get you to sit down. A seasoned, mature parent will understand that, in spite of what the child has picked, it is incumbent upon you to play a game suitable for them, not you, and that the compromises between those two are exceptionally rare (the two games above are notable selections). It frustrates me to no end to hear a parent talk about how their kid wants to play Pax Romana with them. In my opinion that indicates that the child is starving for attention, from a parent that likes games no less.
Your collection indicates a very different scenario in my opinion. Bully for you!
Sag.
Note -- I have self-thumbed this thread because Aiken Drum's contributions deserve attention from parents of gamers.
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William Bekking
Canada
Kanata
Ontario
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Thanks for the advise, Sag. I will take your advise regarding Froggy Boogie. Actually, it's a bit of a coincidence that you mentioned Pitch Car. My 11 year old has been wanting that for quite awhile. But I don't know how it'll play with the 3 year old.
Another game I have been looking at getting for quite awhile is Qwirkle. It's for 6+ but seems like it'd work for her with some help.
Thanks Again,
Bill
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John W
United States
Sacramento
California
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Sagrilarus wrote: As a quick aside, my seven-year-old loves the box that El Grande comes in, and asks to play on a regular basis. Needless to say I steer him to other titles. I think this is the heart-and-soul issue about gaming with kids. They realize that playing a game with you means they are going to get an hour of uninterrupted time so they're pretty much willing to play anything that will get you to sit down. A seasoned, mature parent will understand that, in spite of what the child has picked, it is incumbent upon you to play a game suitable for them, not you, and that the compromises between those two are exceptionally rare (the two games above are notable selections). It frustrates me to no end to hear a parent talk about how their kid wants to play Pax Romana with them. In my opinion that indicates that the child is starving for attention, from a parent that likes games no less. I can't believe it took me this long to find and read this comment of yours -
you are the only other person on BGG who even breeches this concept ; of parents playing age-inappropriate games with their kids.
I've almost given up on mentioning it even when it is blatantly apparent, since all I get in response is acrimony and "that's so cute - it's great you play (Power Grid, Race for the Galaxy, Settlers, etc) with your 4-yr old!" 
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Take joy from you wins; take lessons from your losses.
United States
38.978164N 76.486881W
Maryland
-
The Golden Geek nominations are coming up, so I'll have plenty of opportunity to pontificate a bit more. Thanks for the kind words.
Sag.
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