My Very First Games: Rhino Hero Junior (2020) Board Game

My Very First Games: Rhino Hero Junior is a children’s board game released in 2020 by HABA, a renowned publisher of kids’ games. Designed by Thies Schwarz, this game is a simplified version of the popular Rhino Hero game, tailored for younger players aged 2 and up. The game focuses on cooperative play, stacking and balancing skills, and is designed to be educational and fun for young children.

Game Components of My Very First Games: Rhino Hero Junior

Flowery meadow game board

Building site game board

6 levels (each made up of 2 wall cards)

8 roof cards

Baby spider monkey and wooden Rhino Hero Jr. character

Sturdy floor cards for building the tower.

How To Setup My Very First Games: Rhino Hero Junior

Setting up the game is straightforward and easy. Start by choosing one of the game boards – either the flowery meadow or the building site. Then, assemble the tower levels by matching the wall cards. The roof cards are used to complete the tower, and the baby spider monkey and Rhino Hero Jr. characters are placed on the tower as part of the gameplay. The game offers various setup options to accommodate different play styles and age groups.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Free Play: Children can build towers and knock them down, encouraging creativity and physical activity.

Color Matching: Match the colors on the roof cards with the corresponding floor cards to practice color recognition and beginning counting skills.

Build a Tower: Players work together to build a tower and place Rhino Hero Jr. on top without the tower falling down, promoting teamwork and fine motor skills.

Player Experience

Rhino Hero Junior is designed to be engaging and educational. The game’s variability allows it to grow with the child, starting as a free play activity and evolving into more structured games as the child develops. The sturdy and forgiving pieces make it perfect for young children, even those as young as 22 months, to build towers without easily knocking them over. The physical movement required helps rambunctious children focus and calm down while building.

Pros

Educational: Enhances fine motor skills, color recognition, counting, sequencing, and memory skills.

Durable: Sturdy pieces designed to withstand little hands.

Variability: Multiple ways to play, allowing the game to adapt to different developmental stages.

Engaging: Attracts children with its colorful design and exciting gameplay.

Cooperative: Encourages teamwork and collaboration.

Cons

Material: While durable, the pieces are made of cardboard, which requires some care to avoid damage.

Complexity for Younger Children: Some younger children might find the tower building challenging, though the game is generally forgiving.

Personal Thoughts on My Very First Games: Rhino Hero Junior

Rhino Hero Junior is an excellent choice for children under 6 who love building and playing. It is particularly suitable for rambunctious children who need physical movement and a fun way to develop their fine motor skills and other educational aspects. Once children outgrow this game, it serves as a perfect precursor to more advanced games like Rhino Hero Super Battle. Overall, it is a well-designed, educational, and entertaining game that will keep young children engaged and eager to play every day.

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