My Six Year Old Son Loves This Game and You Will Too!
Written: Aug 27 '04
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Pros: Fun family game. Promotes logic and planning skills.
Cons: none.
The Bottom Line: I heartily recommend Connect Four for family game night. The game is simple yet oh so much fun!
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| bonzobean's Full Review: Connect Four |
I value family time. I remember as a child playing a lot of board games and those are some of my favorite memories. As a result, I want to make sure my children have plenty of good memories of our family spending time together interacting. I don’t want them to remember their childhood at home as a blur of television programs and video games. So, when I went out shopping for my son’s sixth birthday, I made sure to pick up a game we could play together.
The Game
Connect Four is “the classic vertical four-in-a-row game” according to the makers, Milton Bradley. For some reason, the makers have decided that this game is for ages seven and up. I got this game for my son when he turned six and he had no trouble picking it up. For that reason, I believe this game could be happily played by children ages five and older. The game is for two players, but as you’ll see, more than two people can enjoy playing Connect Four.
Playing the Game
Playing Connect Four could not be more simple. Once you’ve assembled the grid board (more to follow), place the upright grid between you. The grid board has seven vertical rows and six horizontal rows. One player uses the red checkers and his opponent uses the yellow checkers (or black depending upon when you bought the game). The first player drops one of his checkers in one of the slots at the top of the grid. His opponent then drops a checker into one of the top slots. The players take turns putting the checkers in the slots until one player manages to get four in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Could anything be simpler and yet so much fun?
Assembly of the Game
This game is so easily assembled and disassembled. The grid comes in four pieces. Simply slide the retaining lever (keeps the checkers in place during play) on the bottom of the grid board. Next slide the two end supports on the grid so that the board can stand up on it’s own and, Voila, you are ready to play.
Why we enjoy this Game
I remember playing Connect Four as a young girl on camping trips with my family. This game holds special memories. Now, my son plays either mommy or daddy and the winner takes on the next person. I am one of those people who does not let children win at games unless it’s a toddler game like Candy Land. When my son wins a game, I want him to know that he truly won the game. As a result, I won about twelve games before my son won his first game fair and square and, believe me, he let everybody know about it. He has had this game for almost a month and we’ve played this game almost every day since then. It doesn’t take long and we get to spend more time together having fun.
Why I, as Mom, like this Game
First of all, I am so tired of games with little pieces that get lost. Once the pieces are lost, that’s it, no more game. Aside from the grid board, you only need checkers and these are your standard, run-of-the-mill, ordinary checkers so they are easily replaceable (just use black checkers when you lose the yellow pieces). Second of all, unlike Monopoly and other similar board games, you don’t fall asleep waiting for the game to end. Each game lasts anywhere from approximately 60 seconds to five minutes depending on how much you think and plan. We will often play a series of six or seven games. Also, like checkers, chess and the like, there is some strategizing going on. If you want to win, it pays to plan ahead a few moves. I think this game helps strengthen my son’s planning and logic skills. My son also enjoys playing with this game on his own. He enjoys arranging the checkers in different designs.
Would I recommend this Game?
Hey, didn’t you read the review? YES, YES, YES, I do recommend Connect Four. I recommend this game for anybody who enjoys board games and certainly any family with children five or older. Connect Four is yet one more fun way to spend time with your family.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 9.99
Type of Toy: Game
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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Epinions.com ID:
bonzobean
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Location: West Coast
Reviews written: 134
Trusted by: 220 members
About Me:
I think the mistake many of us make is thinking the-state-appointed shrink is our friend.
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