Rat-a-tat Cat

Number of Players: 2-6
Length of game: 5-10 minutes
Publisher: Gamewright
Price: 7.50 (time well spent)

This was one of our new games for Christmas and it has been a big hit. Each player starts with four hidden cards in front of them. You start by looking at your outer two cards. This will be your only free look at them so you must remember what and where they are. The other two cards remain a mystery for now. On your turn you can choose to take the top discard or draw a card and either replace one of your cards or discard it. The object of the game is to get the sum of your cards to be lower than anyone else. When you think you are the winner you say rat-a-tat cat. Everyone else gets one more turn and you reveal.

There are number cards and three special cards to add some variety. There is a draw 2 card. A peek card allows you to peek at one of your cards that you don't know or don't remember. A swap card allows you to swap one of your cards with another players. The catch you can't look at your card or the card your swapping for.

This is a fun very quick game. Whenever we sit down to play we usually play at least 5 games

It is a fun variation on the memory theme. You have to remember not only where cards are but when you or the fellow players exchange them. I like that there is a decision to be made with every turn. It is also a fun exercise in reading other peoples face and body language to pick the right time to say Rat-a-tat Cat.

My 5 year old really likes this game and is usually the first to say Rat-a-tat Cat. I suppose he is less cautious than I am. Sometimes that pays off for him and sometimes it doesn't. The manufacture suggests an age of 6 and up. I think 5 or 6 is a good minimum. You need to know all your numbers through 9 and understand greater than or less than to enjoy the game.

From an educational stand point this game is great for increasing awareness of the numbers and their value. Adding the score up at the end is also great for practicing simple addition.

My take, this is an inexpensive fun game. Also it is popular enough you may be able to find it at a local toy store. Pick this one up you won't be disappointed.

Clue Jr. Case of the Missing Toys

Clue Jr Case of the missing Toys
# of players 2-4
Length of game: 10-15 minutes
Published by: Parker brothers
Cost: 11.99 (amazon)

I am a Clue lover so when I found this at a garage sale I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately as with most Jr. games this was a disappointment. This game is not much more than a roll and move game with very little decision making.
There are 10 different toys in the game and you are attempting to discover what the two are that are hidden in the tree house. The rest of the toys are at different areas around the board and under all the players. You roll the dice and attempt to land on one of the spots with a hidden toy so you can discover what it is and eliminate it from being in the tree house.
Essentially it is simply a race to move to all the spaces where toys are hidden. The only decisions to be made are to remember what locations and people you have been to so you do not return.
My five year old does enjoy this game. He feels like a real detective and is all sneaky with his detective pad hiding what he has discovered. So it was worth the $0.50 at a garage sale but I wouldn't have bought it new. Manufacturer recommended age for this game is 5-8. I think the game could be played at age 4.