Animal Upon Animal is one of the greatest kid’s board games of all time and a true HABA classic. It is a simple stacking game with chunky wooden pieces, where players see how many animals they can stack up before it all comes tumbling down.
I’ve played this game with two-year-olds, five-year-olds, ten-year-olds, adults, grandparents. It doesn’t matter. This great game never fails to get people gathered around the table and engaged.
It’s simple. It’s fun. It’s certainly one you’ll want in your collection.
Not convinced? Let’s dig in.
What is Animal Upon Animal?
Animal Upon Animal Game is published by HABA Games, an exceptional company from Germany that produces quality kids’ games with simple rules and excellent components. The HABA Animal Upon Animal game is no exception and it just celebrated its 10th anniversary – demonstrating the staying power of this classic game.
It includes a big, red, custom die and 29 wooden animal pieces including frilled lizards, sheep, toucans, monkeys, and one green alligator base, which forms the base of the tower in every play session. Such a motley mix of animals ensures that each game is unique and entertaining. All the pieces are different shapes and sizes presenting different challenges and opportunities when trying to place them on the stack, but each is cute and has its own unique characteristics. It will certainly engage kids’ imaginations as they place their hedgehog, on top of the penguin, on top of the snake. Quite a spectacle.
The game also includes a set of game instructions that emphasize safety standards and environmentally friendly manufacturing.
It’s a dexterity game, which means it’s a game that relies on the player’s physical skill. Kids and adults will take turns attempting to skillfully place the wooden animals in a stack without knocking everything over.
How to Play this Fun Family Game
The alligator is placed in the center of the table, then each player places one of each of the seven other available animals in front of them, forming their supply. This forms the initial animal pile.
Players take turns rolling the wooden dice and take action based on the result.
One pip: place one animal from your supply on the stack.
Two pips: place two animals from your supply on the stack.
Crocodile: place an animal from your supply on the table, either in front or behind the crocodile – expanding the base of the tower.
Hand: Pick an animal from your supply to another player, they must successfully place it on the stack.
Question Mark: the other players tell you which of the animals from your supply you need to place.
If, when placing one or two animals on the stack, any animals fall off, you pick up any that fell and put them in your supply, ending your turn.
The first player to clear all the animals from their supply wins.
Benefits of Playing Animal Upon Animal
While Animal Upon Animal is a fun game it also has a lot of developmental benefits for kids. Dexterity games help kids improve fine motor skills through stacking and balancing and help unlock kids’ creativity and hand-eye coordination. Playing this game is so much fun for both kids and adults.
Kids will need to think strategically about which animal piece will fit best into the available space, promoting spatial awareness, strategic thinking, and creativity.
Like all games for young kids, it also helps develop the skills of taking turns and learning how to deal with victory, disappointment, and defeat. Because it’s a quick family game, with low stakes, it is a perfect environment for kids to develop these skills.
Check out our list of the best dexterity games for kids.
Why Choose Animal Upon Animal?
The amazing components are a big part of what sets this game apart. The chunky animals take this from being another entertaining animal stacking game to something special, that kids will sit and play with by themselves, long after you’ve finished playing. HABA is known for creating toys, and it shines through in the quality of wooden animals and wooden dies, all made with eco-friendly materials.
It works with a lot of different groups. Kids as young as two or three could play this game, but it’s still fun even as they get older. It’s one of my favorite games to have older kids play with their younger siblings, because the rules are so simple and the gameplay is a great equalizer. I also love to have them play with their grandparents and have them teach the rules – which is great practice and a valuable skill to learn how to teach. Grandparents are a very patient audience for that, I’ve found.
It’s simple, quick, and portable. The game usually takes less than 15 minutes, so you can sneak it in any time and can often sneak in a couple of rounds, so everyone has a chance to do well. It’s one I take on trips, to parties, or to restaurants because I know it’s likely to work everywhere. I do pack it in a smaller box, to make that easy.
There’s also a miniature version which is even better for this purpose, but it can be tricky to find. We were lucky enough to find it in a toy store by chance, and it goes with us everywhere. The big version is not much bigger and plays up to 4 players (the mini only plays to two), so it’s still an excellent choice.
Conclusion: A Game for All Ages
It’s easy to recommend this fun game. It could be your kid’s very first game, but honestly it would do just as well for an adult game night as a drinking game.
We specifically recommend it as one of our top dexterity games, but also as one of our best games for both 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds.
Its simple rules set, quick gameplay, and inviting aesthetic have cemented its place as one of the classic children’s board games, and deservedly so. You’ll have no trouble getting your family to the table with this one and kids will find it fun and challenging and will ask for it again and again.
Don’t hesitate to add this one to your collection. You won’t regret it.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What ages is Animal Upon Animal suitable for?
A: Animal Upon Animal is suitable for children as young as 2 or 3 years old. It’s also engaging enough to be enjoyed by older kids, teenagers, and even adults.
Q: How many players can play Animal Upon Animal?
A: The game is designed for 2 to 4 players. There is also a miniature version of the game that is suitable for just 2 players.
Q: How long does a game of Animal Upon Animal typically take?
A: A typical game lasts about 15 minutes, making it a quick and enjoyable activity that can easily fit into a busy schedule.
Q: Is Animal Upon Animal environmentally friendly?
A: Yes, the components of Animal Upon Animal are made from eco-friendly materials, continuing HABA’s tradition of quality and sustainability.
Q: Can very young children understand the rules easily?
A: Yes, the rules of Animal Upon Animal are simple and straightforward, making it accessible for very young children to learn and enjoy.
Q: What skills can children develop by playing Animal Upon Animal?
A: Playing this game can help children improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, spatial awareness, and the ability to take turns.
Q: Are the animal pieces safe for small children?
A: Yes, the wooden toys and animal pieces are chunky and well-crafted, reducing the risk of choking and ensuring they are safe for small children.
Q: Is Animal Upon Animal a good travel game?
A: Absolutely, due to its quick gameplay and compact size, it is an excellent choice for travel, parties, or even restaurant outings.