Review: Garden Games Ltd - Giant Snakes & Ladders

As you know, I don't do many reviews, but when I was given the chance to review a game of my choice by Garden Games Ltd - I literally hop, skipped, and jumped at the chance.  Better still, they told me I could choose whatever I wanted to review, and I was absolutely spoiled for choice as the product range is amazing.

I have to say that I did have my head turned by the amazing looking croquet sets, not to mention le magnifique Boule - most evocative of nights spent in the French countryside, sipping vin rouge and setting the world to rights.

But considering what would be age appropriate for my 3 year old daughter (damnit!),  I decided upon Giant Snakes & Ladders - and I have to say I was pretty excited by it too, being that the board game version was a favourite of mine as a child and is now one of Babyzoid's.

My daughter is, as I've said, already familiar with the game - so a giant version in which she was a moving piece would bring a whole new fun element to it.  And an opportunity to get some fresh air into our lungs is always welcomed.

We received the game impressively quickly direct from Garden Games, but were slightly stymied in our ability to jump straight in by a chest infection (Babyzoid's), and my travails following last month's procedure.  Throw in a bit of snow in the middle and we haven't had much luck.  But at the first (non-freezing) opportunity Family Zoid went along to the park, taking our giant board game with us.

Waiting impatiently by the door!

Once there, we set to spreading our game out on a suitable area of grass.  The giant board is made of a very sturdy material and I was really pleased with the quality.  I had expected it might be flimsier, but it was impressively heavy duty and yes, gigantic.  There is no way it is tearing anytime soon.

You need a big lawn for this baby, which we don't currently have, but living on the edge of our village we are surrounded by so much park and woodland that it's good encouragement to make more use of it and take it along on our picnic outings, once the better weather arrives.

Back to the game itself:

The canvas is pegged down by plastic pegs in each corner and in the middle of each side.  It is brilliantly effective for ensuring the board stays flat, and more importantly, stays put.  You will need two people for this job.

Trying it out for size

The inflatable die was a bit more of an issue for us, simply because we did not have the right type of pump - I'm guessing you need the type that pumps up an airbed.  We attempted to blow it up with our mouths.  This didn't go brilliantly, but it was to be expected.  I had fully intended to purchase a pump beforehand, but as I've rarely left the house lately through rubbish health, I hadn't gotten round to it.  I will definitely do so for next time!

Having got the board pegged down, we left Daddy on blowing duty....

It has beaten me - I feel deflated!

...while we headed for the swings!

Daddy did eventually manage to get the die to a point where it was virtually a cube and would do the job, so we were good to go.  A common sense tip is to blow it up before you want to play!

That'll have to do!

Someone couldn't wait to get going!

I won't give you a blow by blow account of how many ladders were climbed and how many snakes we slipped down (I landed on every bloomin' snake on the board - TWICE) but suffice to say, we had a lot of fun.  A LOT.  In fact I'm pretty sure that Daddy got a bit cheeky when I had to pass him on the board, but we won't go into that!  Anyway, Daddy won, which wasn't how it was meant to go but there you have it.  He got to pack the board away as his prize (or punishment) :)

Yay! Ladder!

Yes, I am right near the start. Again.

So yes, the game was of a very good quality, highly enjoyable, a lot of fun and I would have no problems in recommending it.  There are also full instructions on the website which are available to print out, though there are basic instructions on the box also if you are not one to plan ahead, like me.

A minor quibble would be that the squares could possibly be numbered.  This would help to remember exactly where you are when you go to retrieve the die, and of course aid number learning.  Or if not numbered, then perhaps there could have been different coloured squares, though the board is very attractive and non-garish as it is.  However, it's only a very minor point. Babyzoid only strayed off the board once or twice - and Daddy has eagle eyes (as well as straying hands) so it wasn't an issue for us.  It certainly wouldn't have put me off buying the game and I'm glad we chose this as we had such a brilliant time playing in spite of the chilly weather.

Outdoor games like this are great for not only encouraging outdoor play with all the health and fresh air benefits that brings, but it's also fantastic for family bonding.  We had such a laugh and the outing will stay in my memory for a long time.

In terms of ordering and price, the website points you to recommended retailers who stock the game.  From what I have been able to gather the price for this particular game seems very reasonable to me considering its size, the quality, and how much I imagine I would pay for something of inferior quality at Argos or Toys R Us.

And as a final point to make, one thing that I don't think has been considered by the games manufacturers is that the board would also double up as the perfect wipe-clean picnic blanket!  Now, how cool is that?

*Disclosure: I received the game free of charge from Garden Games Ltd.