For this final instalment of Orchard Toy Games, I want to look at the upper age limit of their games. Whist some of their titles feature gameplay suitable well into childhood many of their games are designed to be played at those formative pre-school years. For a 6-year-old who is now in school these games still provide many benefits for this age range.
Language – Buzz Words
Think of the classic New York Times puzzle with this game. Buzz words has players racing, grabbing, pairing and matching words in this 4 ways to play game. Designed for 5 years and older this is perfect gift for young school children. In this first game you’ll be setting a timer and trying to spell the words as quickly as possible. Game 2 feature grabbing the right word for a pile in the middle of the table. The 3rd game has players slipping and trying to match like snap the words and pictures. The final game has players contesting for words to match to their pictures.
All these different game play elements help children to learn and spell. And is a great tool for active learning. Outside of language observational skills are developed across all the games as children recognise different patterns in words and pictures at the same time.
For parents wanting to push their child the right amount in an interactive way then Buzz Words is a fantastic option for families. With no upper age limit this game could easily see a child through their primary schools’ years as they hopefully become their own spelling bee king or queen.
Coordination – Dinosaur Dig
Build the bones of epic dinosaurs and practice your coordination skills in this digging fossil themed game. Players will be trying to pick up bones and building dinosaurs from an archaeology filed of wonders. Using cardboard tools these bones can then be constructed to created epic 3D models. Featuring Made For Mums Award 2023 this game is a gold standard in dexterity and enjoyment.
Dinosaur Dig will have players chatting and laughing alongside each other as they try and piece together the right pieces. Dinosaurs must be built in the correct order to justify a winning digger. This develops the child's memory skills needed for later life and day to day tasks.
Like all Orchard Toys games this one has free sheets of extra fun once the box is put away. For something a little different and more akin to Operation and Jenga this game is a perfect practice group for these titles aimed at older players.
Numbers - Number Bears
Time for adding and subtracting in a fast maths game. Players will be making totals by adding or taking away numbers. A great introduction to making learning fun, this game has a great competitive element as players try and gets the most right answers to be victors of the homey pot.
From pandas to brown bears each person has their own character card which they flip for adding or subtracting depending on the numbers they have. Adults can get involved to help and provide additional support but with an age range of 5 plus, this game is great for that much need independence.
Number Bears is a fun themed, maths games with plenty of problem-solving opportunity to discover. Each sum is random and different allowing for on-the-fly discovery of the answer. Play sessions will always be fun as you race to get home to your cubs and not get distracted by other options along the way.
Imagination – Pop to the Shops
Featuring pretend money Pop to the Shops has one of the highest age ranges of any Orchard Toys game. A Good Toy Guide Recommended game, it isn’t hard to see the appeal. Outside of rolling and moving, Pop to the Shops offers chance to say please and thank you. And has children managing their own budget of coins to fill boards.
The imaginative elements comes from pretending to be both shoppers, shopkeepers and bankers. Of course, their math skills will be tested with subtracting amounts from certain items making sure they have enough to buy all six! Children will love buying socks to sweets to cheese and milk. Of course children will be competing to be first and fill their bags as quickly as possible.
Pop to the Shops has the same recycled FSC paper and is fully recyclable at the end of it’s life. For children 5-9 the might be one of the last Orchard Toys they will ever own but what an outstanding title it is! Teacher tested as usual and education of course.
Conversational – Bus Stop
One of the most popular games from Orchard Toys and it isn’t hard to see why. Players spin the spinner whilst moving their bus around the board. Each space denotes subtracting or adding passengers to their double decker. A roll and move at heart the added maths elements really help the game to shine.
Of course, the wheels go round and round on this one in terms of benefits. From conversations about where the passengers might go. To reminiscing about journeys children themselves have been on. The options are endless. Further there are observational skills plus those all so helpful maths skills which last a lifetime.
Bus Stop is a fun themed game base of course on the famous nursery rhythme but this game offers something for everyone. Children have fun as they see goodbye and help to passengers old and new. For me Bus Stop is a must have as bridgeway to more complex games like Azul or Kingdomino.
Conclusion
So there you have it a mighty list with 6 different blogs! You can check out each age group here. Next time we’ll be counting down the best Orchard Toys games – see you there!
