Grabbing Hippo's

Have a chomping good time with the Hippos game! Hippo and his pals are ready to join in the feeding frenzy. Release all the marbles onto the game base, and then start chomping. Move fast, the player whose hippo chomps the most marbles wins!

Features:

• Base board measuring 22cm x 23xm
• There is some simple assemble required initially to put the hippos together, then you snap them onto the base. 
• For 2 to 4 players
• 20 marbles 19 red/ one yellow

What our OT says:

This is a classic game and I remember this from my childhood. However there are a few different ways to play this game.. Let me share some ideas: 

• Game where the marbles are released all at once before the game starts. All players play at the same time, trying to gobble up as many marbles as possible. Keep pushing down on the hippo's tail to eat as many marbles as possible before they are all gobbled up and the game is over.
• Game where the marbles are released one at a time from the grooves. Take turns releasing the marbles one at a time. After each marble is released, play until someone eats it. Then release another marble. Play this way until all marbles have been eaten.
• Game where the yellow marble means something. Release the marbles all at once. Players play simultaneously until someone eats the yellow marble and wins the game.

Fine Motor Skill Development: Using different fingers to push down on the hippo’s tail helps develop finger strength and dexterity. The tail requires a bit of force, which encourages children to use multiple fingers and even their whole hand, enhancing their fine motor skills. This activity is especially beneficial for strengthening the muscles needed for tasks such as writing and buttoning clothes.

Counting and Number Recognition: A fun variation of the game involves picking a number, such as 4 or 5, and playing until someone gets exactly that number of marbles in their reservoir. This introduces an element of counting and number recognition, turning the game into a math exercise. Children learn to count their marbles accurately and strategise to reach the exact number without exceeding it.

  In-Hand Manipulation: Before starting the game, ask players to grab a few marbles in their hand and bring them to their fingertips one at a time to place them into the groove. This exercise improves in-hand manipulation skills, which are crucial for tasks that require precise hand movements, such as using scissors or tying shoelaces.

 Storage and Cleanup Practice: When the game is over, take the hippos off the base for storage. Dump the marbles into the base and pick them up one at a time, squirrelling them into the palm. This activity not only teaches children about responsibility and organisation but also reinforces in-hand manipulation and counting skills as they store the marbles.

 Bilateral Coordination: Try coordinating your hands so that you control two hippos side-by-side, playing them both at the same time. This activity enhances bilateral coordination, which is the ability to use both sides of the body together in a coordinated way. Bilateral coordination is essential for many daily activities, such as tying shoes, cutting with scissors, and typing on a keyboard.

 Strategic Play and Social Interaction: Playing across from each other, if only two people are playing, adds a strategic element. If a player misses a marble, it can shoot across to the other player, creating a back-and-forth dynamic that makes the game more challenging and interactive. This setup encourages social interaction, turn-taking, and strategic thinking as players anticipate and react to their opponent’s moves.

Versatile and Engaging: This Hippo game is a versatile game that can be adapted to suit different skill levels and therapeutic goals. Whether focusing on fine motor skills, counting, or bilateral coordination, the game offers endless possibilities for engagement and learning. Its fast-paced nature and colorful design make it appealing to children, ensuring they remain interested and motivated to play.

Please note: When you assemble the board game, it won’t fit back into the box. However, the hippo heads can be removed again if you want to fit it into the box.