Hullabaloo

Now this is a game!

If you can imagine a combination of Simon Says and Twister, played with endless laughing, high-fives, variations, funky music, and fun, you can just begin to imagine Hullabaloo. This game:

• Requires physical activity and burns energy!
• Is durable, durable!! Durable enough to play outside.
• Allows one kid to play alone, or many kids and adults, even grandparents, can play.
• All instructions are verbal with no reading required.
• Has winners as more random than skill so everyone gets to win--even the 2-year old.
• Is fast--each game only lasts a minute or two.
• Builds in hundreds, maybe thousands, of automatic game variations.
• Promotes cooperation.
• Does not need parental involvement. Kids can set up, start, and continue the game alone.
• Stores in a small space in its own box.
• Requires 3 AA batteries.

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Buy this game

Rainy day, snowy day, sunny day FUN!

Does it sound like a neighborhood free-for-all in your family room!?! It could be except for the fact that kids must listen to the Hullabaloo announcer to play. They stay focused because when they don't, they can't hear the next instruction. 

How to Play: Lay the Hullabaloo pads on the floor about two 'kid's feet' apart. Turn on the game console. A clear voice gives the simple directions necessary for play such as "Jump on a square shape,"  "Hop to a shape with an animal on it." or "Walk in slow motion to a triangle." Instructions also include freezing, giving high-fives, touching a body part, or putting one body part on one pad with a different body part on another pad. If you are even touching a particular pad at the end of that round, you are the winner. Winners get to sing, dance, bow, and act crazy. Kids control how long they play by pushing a button for more rounds.

Space required: Space in front of a love seat or around a coffee table is the minimum required for Hullabaloo. On a pretty day, it can be played outside, although it's real beauty is to burn energy indoors on bad weather days. 

Pads are thick and stick to flooring.

Awards: Hullabaloo won the 2003 Toy Industry Association Game of the Year award, which recognizes the most innovative, interactive, and playful game of the year. 

Included: Hullabaloo comes complete with a Hullabaloo talking audio console* and 16 colorful play pads.

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Educational? Certainly for the younger child as it teaches shapes, colors, musical instruments, animals, and foods. It is also excellent for training children to follow directions and think in "steps." But most of all, this game is fun.

I don't think you can possibly go wrong buying Hullabaloo.

Larger illustrations here.

Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 4 years and up.

CyberParent suggests 3 years to 6 years.

Game-Puzzle Review by Donna Green: Copyright © 2004 CyberParent. All rights reserved.

Buy this game