Do you like simple games that are quick to learn, but fun enough to have real sticking power? We just tried a game like this called Battle Sheep, courtesy of the homeschooling team at Timberdoodle.
When you’re busy raising a family and managing a home, you tend to appreciate those games that can be finished up in a short amount of time, like checkers or bingo. Battle Sheep, being comprised of just two components – the moveable board grid and the sheep tiles – and averaging about ten minutes in play time, gets high marks from us for a family friendly game that young children can enjoy together or with parents.
Because you can set the board pieces up any way you like, it changes the shape and strategy of every single game. The sheep tiles are nice and heavy, feel great in your hand and make a pleasant clacking sound as you stack and move them. That they are decorated with colorful sheep wearing quirky expressions on their faces adds to the enjoyment.
The goal is to claim more pastures pieces than your opponent. You do this by splitting your “sheep stack” of tiles over and over again and spreading them throughout the board, while also attempting to block the other player from gaining ground.
The concept is simple yet very appealing. I find myself playing game after game, challenging this child and that child, having fun and learning new strategies as we go!
The components are made to last; pasture boards are full-color laminated card stock and the sheep tiles are constructed of heavy, shiny plastic.
Age recommendation is seven and up but my 6 year old daughter (first grade) picked it up very quickly. Younger children will need some guidance on strategies for success, such as counting their sheep tokens carefully before splitting and moving their stacks. That way, they’ll have enough to fill up nearby pasture tiles. It’s also good to remind players that getting blocked is deadly! Unused sheep tokens all stacked up will go to waste when they can’t move anymore, and that means less points at the end.
Strategy games can be a great homeschool resource, teaching children to think ahead and use trial and error to problem solve. Battle Sheep contains an added math component, as counting is crucial to token placement.
The Battle Sheep game includes:
- 16 pasture boards
- 4 sets of 16 sheep tokens
- Full color rule book
Designed by Blue Orange Games, Battle Sheep retails for $29.99 and is included in Timberdoodle’s 3rd Grade Curriculum Kit.
Be sure to follow Timberdoodle on social media and see what’s new for this summer and the coming school season!
Facebook ♦ Instagram ♦ Twitter
Thanks for sharing this great review of a fun game!
What a cute game. It would be perfect for my 3 year old grandchild
This looks like the perfect new fun easy to learn game for the whole family. Thanks for the awesome review.
It sounds like such a fun game! Sharing it with my SIL who has a little one!
What a cute little game! I’m sure my youngest would love to play.
I’ll suggest this to my homeschooling friend who is in need of something activities for her son while her older ones are working.
oh my goodness! This looks like such a fun game for the kids to play!
First time to hear about it, and it sounds like a unique game to play.