Here at The Healthy Parent we are huge advocates for learning through play, whether that’s role play, board games or even (some) computer apps, we firmly believe that children learn better when they are having fun. One of our favourite brands for educational games has always been Orchard Toys, they have a great selection covering all the basics from colours to shapes, numbers to letters and so much more, so when they asked if we would like to review the new Bluey games we jumped at the chance.
Below you can find out all about the three Bluey games we were sent: Shopping List Game, Fancy Restaurant Game and Grannies Game, along with an honest review of each one.
Shopping List Game: Bluey Edition
You may already be familiar with Orchard Toys’ iconic Shopping List game, if so you will already appreciate how good this game is only now it has a Bluey twist. For those that don’t know, the aim of the game is to fill your shopping trolley with items by matching the cards to the pictures on your shopping list, if you turn over someone else’s item you turn it back over and leave it there.
This game is great for helping promote concentration and encouraging memory and matching skills as well as turn taking. For younger children it would also be great for learning the names of different food items too. It’s fast, simple, and can be played with 2-4 players.
According to the box it’s aimed at those aged 3 and over, we played it with our daughter who is 5 and it was a big success, she loved the concept, was really proud of herself when she remembered where her items were and found it hilarious that the items were linked to Bluey episodes.
5 stars from us
Fancy Restaurant Game
The fancy restaurant game is inspired by the Fancy Restaurant episode which our daughter recognised straight away making it a very exiting game to play. The aim of this game is to once again match your tokens to the unturned cards, if they match you get to add them to the parents plate, if not turn it back over and the next player goes.
This game also promotes memory, matching and encourages turn-taking. It also allows for some role play if you want as you and your children can act as the chef/waiter as you dish up the dinner!
Personally we loved it and think if you like the shopping list game or similar matching games you will enjoy this.
5 stars from us!
Grannies Game
This game is pure Bluey silliness in a box. The aim is for players to race to the finish line by (you guessed it) matching their picture to one on a card, the first person to the finish line gets to ring granny and teach her how to floss.
However, this game is a little more complex than the previous two, for example if you turn over a granny your player must lie down and have a granny nap and if you turn over the other granny card you go back a space and mix up the unturned cards. This was a lot for the 5 year old to handle, despite absolutely loving putting on her best Rita and Janet voice and declaring that she was taking a nana nap and howling when ever any of us had to floss, the mixing up of the cards when she had memorised where hers was and the going back a space was frustrating.
Personally I think this should be aimed at children a little older as it says 3 plus but we struggled at 5 and have since adapted the game a little so that we don’t mix any cards and she can continue to practice her memory skills.
That being said, she did enjoy it, does still ask to play it and thinks the role play aspect is hilarious.
4/5 stars from us.
Final thoughts
Overall we loved these games and would recommend them. They are perfect for Bluey fans, especially as the die hard fans will recognise each game from a specific episode, which in our house made this even funnier for our 5 year old as she thought she was reenacting the show. That being said, if your child has never watched Bluey it wont impact there ability to enjoy these games, they will still make perfect sense and be educational and most importantly fun!
They are thoughtfully designed, wonderfully illustrated, durable games so why not order yours today