Ravensburger, 1-6 players, ages 3+
Eye Found It is a series of games that has kids exploring different worlds and universes including Disney and Marvel looking for hidden objects. There are cooperative and competitive versions of the game, but either way, kids will enjoy looking through colorfully illustrated scenes from their favorite movies and TV shows for apples snakes, or stars – all kinds of things.
Eye Found It game is also very easy to teach and one of the best games out there for really little kids and we recommend it as one of our best games for 3-year-olds.
But is it right for you and your family? And if so, which version do you choose? For a simple game, there are a few options to consider, but we’ll walk you through everything you need to know in this article.
About Eye Found It Game
A brief history of Eye Found It Game
In 2009 this game was first released as Richard Scary’s Busytown Eye Found It (which is still available today from a different publisher as Richard Scary’s Busytown Seek and Find) exploring the art and characters of Richard Scary. It was immediately apparent how great this concept that combined racing, cooperative play, and hidden images was for really little kids and could work as a first board game.
In 2013, a Disney version of the game was released and, with the broad appeal of those realms and characters, quickly became one of the most popular games for kids.
A few other versions have come out since then, including short-lived Minions and Dreamworks versions, and one that travels through time, but nothing really competed with the Disney version, until 2022 with the release of the Marvel version of the game, which has had similar appeal.
In 2015, they also released a card game version, which is now available for both the Disney and Marvel versions. It further simplifies gameplay and is portable enough to be taken anywhere. We’ll discuss that option more below.
How it combines Theme with Gameplay
Eye Found It manages to seamlessly integrate the theme with the mechanics, which is why it has been able to support so many IPs over the years.
A good theme can go a long way to getting kids to the table, so whether your family likes classic Disney Characters like Mickey Mouse, Sleeping Beauty, and the cars from Radiator Springs, or if they prefer the Marvel Universe with heroes like Spiderman and Black Panther – they’ll get to explore it all in this game.
Whichever version you choose, they’ll be traveling through familiar lands and facing off against iconic villains, like Maleficent or Thanos.
Gameplay Mechanics
Set-Up Eye Found It Game
Lay out the six-foot jumbo game board. It goes together like a puzzle and it’s covered with illustrations of familiar locations from their favorite movies, so kids will want to help out. Note: it is huge, so unless you have a great big table, you’ll probably be playing this game on the floor.
Players each select a character, which, depending on the version you choose, will join Mickey Mouse and other beloved Disney characters, or the Marvel superhero, like Iron Man.
Shuffle up the item cards, and place them near the board. Place the little circle pieces that will be used to identify items found while searching, where everyone can reach them.
Select a First Player and you are ready to go!
Gameplay
It is a cooperative game, so all players are working together in an exciting race across the map, searching for hidden treasures, before the villain can complete their nefarious plans. Players take turns either spinning a dial or rolling a dice. they will get one of three possible types of results. If
If they get a number, they move their character in that many spaces on the board.
If they get a search icon, they draw a card with an item on it, then players search for those items on the board. The number of iconic Disney objects they find in a minute is the number of spaces all players will get to move forward.
If they get the villain’s symbol, then the villain will move their clock forward or advance along their track.
If all players arrive at the end of the track before the villain makes it to the end of theirs, the players win!
Card game vs. board game: What’s the difference?
The board game is big, which, when you have the space is a huge advantage, in my opinion, because kids love the giant map, with the thematic artwork. They’ll enjoy searching through all the different lands and realms – it’s very interactive and fun, plus there’s something about a race, that gets everyone engaged.
But what if you are out and about, or don’t have much time to set up the full game to play? The Eye Found It Card game has you covered. In place of an oversize box and board, you have a single deck of cards. On one side of the cards is a portion of the illustrated scenes from the full game, on the other side is an object to search for.
How to Play
The game starts by assigning five cards to each player and then putting the rest in a pile in the middle of the table. You flip a card revealing an item to search for and all players look for that item on the cards they were dealt. If they have it they flip their card and place it in the middle of the table, revealing the next item to search for.
The first player to get rid of all of their cards wins!
Which version is right for you?
The card version is super fast to set up and play and has even fewer rules than the main version. You barely even have to teach it.
It is competitive, so you aren’t working as a team against a common villain, but it’s so fast to play, that you can play a few rounds, to make sure everyone gets a chance to win.
It does a pretty great job of distilling the game down to its essential element of searching for a hidden object, and it’s one I throw in the bag whenever we are out and about, because it’s easy to play anywhere – at a restaurant while waiting for the food, in a waiting room, and even outside at the park.
It doesn’t entirely replace the original game for me, because the full game is a better thematic experience – and the cooperative element is extremely useful with young gamers, but it’s become a family favorite and my go-to quick game with my four-year-old.
Why Eye Found It is Perfect for Young Kids and Families
Encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
Up to six players can work together toward a goal of, in the case of Disney Eye Found It, racing through all the Disney realms to Cinderella’s Castle before the clock strikes midnight. Or in Marvel, saving the universe, before Thanos is able to collect all the infinity stones.
Because you are working together, kids and parents will need to strategize about what area of the huge board they are going to search, since splitting up, will generally be the best strategy. It’s collaborative fun and creates a great sense of camaraderie and teamwork. It is also nice that, since you are on a team and there is no hidden information, it’s easy for you to help your little ones. That’s a big plus since this could be one of the first games they play
Develops attention to detail and observation skills
Kids will get into looking for the hidden treasures in the whimsical artwork. They’ll see their favorite Disney characters in classic Disney realms like Alice’s Wonderland, Peter Pan’s Neverland, Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood, or the Pride Lands from The Lion King. But they’ll need to pay attention and look closely to find the item from the search card. This is great for developing an eye for detail and observation skills that will get kids engaged and learning as they play.
A fun and interactive way to spend quality time together
Whichever version you choose, it’s a collaborative race with plenty of interactive elements to keep your kids engaged. They’ll pick it off the shelf because of the familiar characters, but they’ll keep coming back to it because they enjoy working together with you to explore those worlds.
You’ll have fun teaching your kids how to take turns, follow the rules, and endure potential defeat. But what’s even more rewarding is seeing how they think and work to solve problems. That was my favorite part about playing this with my kids when they were really young and it developed into what I hope will be a life-long love of gaming together.
Also Read: Board Games For 3 Year Olds: Our Picks
Conclusion: Pick Your IP, Then Pick This Up
So whether you prefer Disney or Marvel, it doesn’t matter. Pick this one up to play with your kids, or for your kids to play together. It’s simple enough that they can teach it to friends or (my favorite) their grandparents – which is good practice and a great skill to develop.
The Card game version is really cheap, under $10 at the time of writing, so if you ever find yourself gaming on the go or in need of a quick game that doesn’t require much set up, I wouldn’t hesitate to grab that two.
Personally, I decided to split the themes and have the full box version of Disney Eye Found It and got the Marvel version of the card game – that way I have all my thematic bases covered, because, at our house, we love both.
In any case, this one is bound to get your kids off their screens and to the table, so if you got 3-5-year-olds in the house, I’d give this a go.
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FAQ
Q: What age group is Eye Found It suitable for?
A: Disney Eye Found It game is perfect for young kids aged 3-5 years old, but even older children and adults can enjoy it. The simplicity of the rules and the cooperative nature make it accessible and fun for the entire family.
Q: How long does it take to play a game?
A: The card game version is very quick to play, usually taking around 10-15 minutes per round. The full box game might take a bit longer, typically around 30-45 minutes, depending on how thoroughly you search and interact with the board.
Q: Can Disney Eye Found It be played solo?
A: Disney Eye Found It game is designed as a multiplayer game with a focus on teamwork and cooperation. While it’s possible to play solo, the experience is far more engaging and enjoyable with multiple players.
Q: Are there different themes available for Eye Found It?
A: Yes, Eye Found It comes in various themes, including Disney and Marvel versions. Each theme offers unique artwork and characters, making it more appealing to fans of those franchises.
Q: How portable is the card game version?
A: The card game version is highly portable and easy to carry. The entire game fits into a single deck of cards, making it convenient to take along to restaurants, waiting rooms, or parks.
Q: Do the card game and the full box game differ significantly in gameplay?
A: While the core mechanics of searching for hidden objects remain the same, the card game is a more distilled and faster version of the full box game. The full box game offers a richer thematic experience with a larger board and more interactive elements.
Q: Can the game be played with more than six players?
A: The game is designed for up to six players, but with some creativity, you can split into teams to include more participants. However, keep in mind that playing with more than six people might slow the game down.