Family game nights are a tradition in many homes, but most board games are not toddler or even younger kid-friendly. I’ve been really excited to start playing formal games with Toddler Boy – there’s just something about it that is so appealing to me. So, many times I’ve walked the board game aisle, picked up a game, read the description and thought “There’s just no way he’ll get this.” And, like all parents, I think mine is brilliant, but realistically I knew he wouldn’t get it and it would just be frustrating for all of us. So, naturally, I was excited – and a bit hesitant – to try Mattel’s UNO Moo!
How to Play UNO Moo!
Gotta get the critters back in the barn! Round ‘em up by matching colors or animals. Is there a blue pig on the roof? Pair it with any blue animal or any color pig. Or use a farmer figure — he’s wild and matches anything. The first player to get all their figures back in the barn wins the game!
UNO Moo! is a toddler’s version of the classic card game UNO. Rather than matching numbers and colors, players must match animals and colors. The game comes with 28 animal and farmer pieces in five colors, a barn for storage and game play and four haystacks to shield players’ animals.
Our Experience
We’ve had so much fun playing UNO Moo! that we’ve played literally every single night since we received it a couple weeks ago. It’s become part of our nightly routine – we play after Baby Girl goes to bed. Toddler Boy picked up on how to play the game almost immediately and loves when someone gets “skunkeded” – his term for having to pick 2 animals if the player before you plays the skunk. He doesn’t really get the strategy behind the game, but he does understand the basics so it’s easy for us to play. The game is also quite a fast play with minimal set up so it is perfect for a toddler’s non-existent attention span.
To Buy or Not to Buy
To Buy… UNO Moo! is a great introduction to the patience and rules and such required to play a board game. I have really, really enjoyed playing the game and Toddler Boy asks to play every single day so I think he likes it, too! I highly recommend it for a fun holiday gift. It’s also an affordable option for a toddler birthday.
Or Not to Buy… I wish there was a way to pick animals from the barn without opening the top to see all the available animals. If you’re sneaky and competitive, like my husband, it’s very easy to pick and choose what animals you pick.
Shop! UNO Moo! is available in stores nationwide and online at Mattel – where ground shipping is currently FREE – for $20.99.
Whitney
November 20, 2009This is so neat! I hadn’t heard of this. My son isn’t old enough just yet, but we are a card game lovin’ family, so I know we will have to get this game when he is. Thanks for the review.
shari
November 20, 2009I saw this at Target–it looks super cute and I think I’ll pick it up for Bean for Christmas
Franny
November 25, 2009What are the age ranges for the game? Just wondering if it was to young for my 4 & 6 year old? Thanks!
Kate
November 25, 2009Franny,
It’s recommended for 3 – 5 year olds. So your 6 year old might find it kind of boring, but it’d probably be great for a 4 year old.
jami
December 26, 2009MY DAUGHTER GOT THIS GAME FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE THROWN AWAY…CAN ANYONE HELP US!! THANKS
June
December 27, 2009instructions got lost. Does anyone have a copy?
Kim Strickland
January 6, 2010I lost our instructions as well. Must’ve been thrown away with the wrapping paper. Help please?
We lost our directions too. Did you get them from anyone? If yes will you email to me? Thanks
Kate
January 9, 2010The instructions can be found here: http://theshoppingmama.com/2010/01/howtoplayunomoogame/