Build or Boom Game
(Proto.Toys $24.99)
Our testers loved this two player block stacking construction game. Players build their structures at the same time, following the same blueprint card. It's a race to finish first because when you do, you can send your opponents construction toppling over. Players each have a platform that is attached to a hose. As players build, their hose and pump sits with their opponent. First one done gets to press the boomer that topples the other player's building and wins the round and one point. Winner is the one who gets ten points first. The game comes with lots of playing cards for variation and more can be found online at the company's site. It's marked 4 & up but we think this will be tough going for fours and young fives, since stacking the plastic pieces requires some dexterity and following the sequence on the card images involves translating a flat image into a three-dimensional structure. That said, this is a terrific game for the family that takes little time to learn and lots of active interaction. It's smashing good fun even for adults.
Ages: Older Preschoolers, Early School Years
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2017
