Alana's Animals

Alana's Animals

Alana's Animals is a really simple collection game that has more "game" in it then other collection games that Orchard Toys make. I would definitely call this a game whereas some of the luck based games that Orchard Toys produce (or Hasbro) I would call toys.

The reason this is more game is because I feel it grows with the child. There are three ways to play plus an additional variation. The simplest is slightly random but the others add a lot more choice for a young child and teach game techniques like drafting (where you take one card from your hand and pass the rest along to someone else). Drafting is in lots of other games so it is great to be able to teach a child this from a younger age so they can play more games later on that are on an adult level (hopefully sooner!).

My now 4 year old still loves this game and we have been playing it since he was about 2. One week he and his dad played it 30 times over the course of 4 days - so really our copy as been well loved and worth every penny.  However this is not a game that a very young child can play totally alone, as with most kids games they need someone to play with and guide them through the steps of the game so they remember what happens on each turn.


Game Play

There are three ways to play the game depending on the age of your child, which is another reason why I love this game as it doesn't get boring playing as an adult.  Basically all three games are about collecting animals to then score with the reward cards.  We started playing the "easiest" version of the game with my then 2 year old. He struggled a little but he could recognise animal shapes and numbers 1-10 and really that is all he needed to do as we could help him with the rest.

I will write the game play for this easy version since we have played that one we play the most.


Firstly you shuffle and deal face down the animal cards (differentiated by the backs of the cards and by the fact they have animals and not apple rewards on them). Four to six reward cards are then placed out face down and the rest are put away.  After all the cards are placed out, each player takes it in turns to select a face down card.  These cards that are taken are placed face up in front of the player and that becomes their hand of cards that can score rewards. This is the most "luck" based game in this set as really there isn't information given to anyone about the animals you are selecting or the rewards you can get. However for a young child that is fine because the object of this game isn't to make decisions it is to work on number recognition, shapes and maths (and to have fun playing).

After all the animal cards are taken by the players the reward cards are turned over one at a time and scored. This happens by one person reading out each reward card and everyone trying to find out if it applies to them.  One for example is having the most brown animals - so each player would need to count all the brown animals they have and the one with the most would get the reward card.  Most reward cards have a 1 apple reward but a few have 2 apples. Most apples at the end (after all four or six reward cards are read out) wins. We have had a number of ties and that is fine as I am also teaching my son that he can't always just win every time he wants to. I like that about this games as it teaches more than just a winner or a looser - sometimes we can tie.

The other two games included have more decision making for the player. So either they can see the animal cards or rewards (or both) and they then have to make strategic decisions about which combinations would get them the most points. Obviously this isn't as easy for a 4 year old to do but after we have played this a bunch my son doesn't even realise he is doing it.  For example when we have some information (like some of the reward cards are face up) he often goes "oh to get that reward card I need another goat" which is great to see him looking at his hand and making decisions about what he might need to achieve a goal. This is super important for older strategy games later on!


Review

I love the art work and the detail included (there is even poo behind some of the animals). I love the fact that squares with dots are used for numbers as well as the number itself for different types of learners. I love the colours and the fact that there are two farmers one male and one female. There are a lot of little details in this game that make it just lovely to play with. Sometimes my son and I play the game and he end up playing I Spy instead of the game itself because he is just in that kind of mood - not may games offer that up as an option!  Also there are more reward cards (see picture below on right) than animal cards so you can play this game for a while and the rewards stay really fresh.

Like I said above our copy has been played tons and really its worth every penny.  As it comes in a normal card box we take it travelling with us. We have played this on bus seats, airplane tables and in cafes around the world (furthest so far has been Tokyo) and so far my son doesn't tire of it.  We haven't even made it to the most complicated version of the game that is included (the drafting one) as mostly my son is still happy with the simpler versions still.

You can buy Alana's Animals at most Friendly Local Game Stores (I know this linked one sells it in store but not always online) or direct from the guy who made them here.  The same company (ThinkNoodle) has made another game that will show up in this blog called City of Zombies which is for slightly older kids but still a fantastic game!

Here is the Facebook page if you want to follow Alana's Animals. Seriously I just love everything about this game!