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Animal Scramble

Animal Scramble™, Made by Wild Planet; Retails approx. $29.95, Recommended for 1 to 6 children ages 3 and up.

Welcome to Hyper Dash for the preschool crowd.

Animal Scramble is one of this year's Hot Dozen Toys for the season, and rightfully so. Briefly, it is an electronic game that features a hand-held tagger shaped like a giraffe and four friendly animal targets. Kids listens to the giraffe call out a clue, and then they run to the correct animal goals, sit the giraffe on its head, and listen for the next clue. The clues are things like "who says Roar?" ... "M is for…" ...or "who is brown?"

When the giraffe is placed over the correct animal, the circuit is complete and the players advance. In team mode, kids pass the giraffe to other players as they work cooperatively, passing the tagger and taking turns. There are five different levels of play and 4 different games.

The tagger uses radio frequency identification (RFID) to recognize the different animal goals, so they can be set up side-by-side, or spread out. There's no limit to the distance between targets. Farther distance between targets results in more running and exercise. It is pretty quick and easy to learn. The kids get out there, running, giggling, jumping, and just having a great time. We were not surprised given that its predecessor Hyper Dash was such a big hit with the older kids.

You can play indoors or outdoors; with up to six players. Animal Scramble will provide a nice mix of fun, physical, and mental challenges (with the emphasis on fun).

Animal Scramble encourages and promotes

• Better listening skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Animal, color, and letter, recognition skills
• Cooperation skills
• Teamwork
• Gross motor skills
• Muscle development
• Most of all - great fun.

Requires 3 AA batteries, not included.

About the Author: Mary Rose is a Mommy, a writer and an early childhood educator who believes in learning through play and the value of good toys.