First Orchard (2009) Board Game

First Orchard is a children’s cooperative board game designed by Anneliese Farkaschovsky and published by HABA in in 2009. It is aimed at children aged 2 and up, making it one of the first board games that young children can enjoy. The game is designed to teach young children about colors, taking turns, and working together towards a common goal.

Game Components of First Orchard

Chunky wooden fruit in 4 different colors and types: red apples, green apples, yellow pears, and blue plums.

5 path tiles.

4 tree tiles.

A color symbol die.

A cardboard basket.

A wooden crow.

How To Setup First Orchard

To set up the game, place each piece of fruit on its matching tree tile. Assemble the path tiles end to end and place the crow pawn at the beginning of the path. This simple setup prepares the game for immediate play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Rolling the Die: Players take turns rolling a color symbol die.

Picking Fruit: If the die shows a color, the player picks a matching colored fruit from its tree and places it into the basket.

Moving the Crow: If the die shows the crow symbol, the player moves the crow along the path.

Passing: If the die shows a color with no matching fruits left, the player must pass their turn.

Objective: The goal is to collect all the fruit before the crow reaches the end of the path.

Player Experience

**First Orchard** is designed for toddlers aged 2-4 years, teaching them basic cooperative gameplay. Players work together to collect fruit, developing their fine motor skills and color recognition. The game is simple and easy to understand, making it perfect for young children to learn and enjoy.

Pros

Cooperative Play: Encourages teamwork and cooperation among players.

Color Recognition: Helps children learn and recognize different colors.

Fine Motor Skills: Develops fine motor skills through picking and placing fruit.

Simple and Fun: Easy to understand and enjoyable for young children.

Cons

Limited Appeal for Older Children: The game is too basic for children over 4 years old.

Color Choices: Some fruit colors (like blue plums) are not realistic.

Non-Wooden Components: The cardboard tiles and basket may not be durable for free play.

Personal Thoughts on First Orchard

**First Orchard** is an excellent introduction to board games for young children. It offers a fun and interactive way to teach basic gameplay mechanics and cooperation. While it may not be engaging for older children, it provides a solid 2 years of fun and educational play for toddlers. Despite some minor quibbles with the color choices, the game is well-designed and enjoyable for both children and parents to play together.

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