Uncle Skunkle Toys
www.uncleskunkle.com/index.htm
4130 SW 117th Avenue #231
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
503-608-7581
Bambooga is a human puzzle game (similar to Twister) in which players attach
arms and legs while competing to be the first to grab the Boogabag with a free
hand. There can be four to six players, ranging from ages 8 to 108. I would think
that children younger than eight could play this game if they had the ability
to follow directions. It could help them learn colors as well as how to take
turns. Players wear four different colored bands to join themselves together
in all kinds of positions. Each band has two pieces of Velcro (one hook and one
loop) sewn onto it, which is how the attaching takes place. The Bambooga, a bamboo
shaker that holds two different balls, tells whether to attach a hand or a foot
to a specific color band on another person. The parts of the game are made from
second-generation materials, making it an eco-friendly game. All of the materials
are stored in a cloth bag. The instructions are even printed on the bag instead
of on paper, which I really liked because they can't be lost. The bag itself
is used as a part of the game. Bambooga is sponsored by Kids Ark Foundation of
Thailand, and part of the proceeds from the manufacturing of this game is given
to this organization.
We found the instructions to the game to be a little ambiguous. We were left wondering what to do in several situations. The directions do suggest playing in whatever way you feel, and that is what we had to do. Once we made up our own rules for the gray areas, the game went smoother. We also found it a little difficult to connect the bands at times. Because there is a hook and loop piece of Velcro attached to each band, each piece must be facing in the right direction. It can be tough to attach body parts when you don't have a free hand to slide the Velcro around or you can't physically twist your body in that direction. The Bambooga shaker was made to be held upside down and up in the air so that the balls fall to the bottom and show through the holes. In the beginning when you are standing up, this is a little awkward. But later in the game when you are bent over, it's quite handy.
Even though the game was confusing at first, we got a lot of laughs out of it, and the children found it very entertaining. It's a great game for tactile children, although those who are very active may find it difficult to hold a position for very long and remain attached. It's also a good game for working on coordination and balance. If you enjoy the concept of Twister--but with a little different spin on it and "green" materials--then this is the game for you. The game is priced at $29.99.
Product review by Heidi Miller-Ford, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March 2010
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