Snug as a Bug in a Rug

Snug as a Bug in a Rug -Features counting, colors and shapes

Peaceable Kingdom has a line of cooperative games for kids, and Snug as a Bug in a Rug is one of those games. There are three levels of play and the instructions read that Level 1 is for ages 3+, Level 2 is for ages 4+ and Level 3 is for ages 5+. Manufacturers ages often don't factor with me, but I mention it because it means that there are three versions that get a little more difficult as you go. It always seems like a better value when games offer several ways to play. 

Board and pieces.

Above is an image of the box contents. The game board is in the shape of, and printed with the image of, a rug that measures about 14.5" x 10". The board has 8 cardboard "feet" discs on the bottom that measure 1/8" tall and will raise the game board up off the table a little so the round bugs can be slipped under it. The board has a built-in spinner that includes 4 different levels: 1) big and little eyes, 2) four shapes, 3) numbers 1-4 and 4) six colors. The arrow spins freely. There is also a die that features three different attributes (shapes, colors and numbers). Two sides for each attribute. The die is oversized, 1" square. You will use either the die or the spinner to move.

Now for the bugs. There are 24 colorful bugs (cardboard circles) and 3 grey stink bugs. Bugs are all printed the same front and back.The overall goal is to work together to get all of the colored bugs safely hidden under the rug before there are three stink bugs on the rug. How you get them there is how the games differ.

To see other cooperative games I have blogged about, click here.

Object:
Get all the colorful bugs under the board before the three grey stinkbugs are on to of the board.

Set up:
Open the board and place it between the players. Place all the colorful bugs randomly on the board. Place the three stinkbugs and the die nearby.

Play:

• LEVEL 1
• Roll the die once and then set it aside. Which ever attribute (number, color, shape) comes up will be the attribute that the players will match during the game. For the sake of explanation, we will say that COLOR comes up.
• Players take turns. Spin the spinner and see which color comes up. Now find a bug of that color on the rug and slip it completely under the rug. If there are no more of that color on top of the rug, then a grey stinkbug is placed on the rug.
• Now you will only look to match the eyes (big or little), not the attribute you threw on the die. Continue to hide bugs under the rug as they match the eyes. If no eyes match the spin, add another stinkbug to the top of the rug. Keep playing until either all the bugs are under the carpet safely (you win!) or the three grey stinkbugs are on top of the rug before the colored bugs are all safely under the rug (you lose). Win or lose, you will do it as a group.
• LEVEL 2
• In this level you will roll the die on every turn.
• Players take turns. Roll the die and notice the attribute. Now spin the spinner and look at the ring on the spinner with the numbers that is directly above your attribute. Now find a bug with that many of your attributes. For instance in the image above, the arrow landed on the circle and number above it is 4. Find a bug with four circles, remove it and slip it under the rug. Keep playing until someone cannot find the correct combination. At this point you must put a grey stinkbug on the rug.
• Now you will only look for eyes, big or little. Keep taking turns, removing bugs and adding stinkbugs. You win if you get them all under the rug before you place all three stinkbugs on the rug. You lose if all 3 stinkbugs are on the rug before you have removed all the colorful bugs.
• LEVEL 3
• Only the spinner is used on this game, no die is used.
• Players take turns. Spin the spinner and the player must find a bug that matches any two of the attributes that show on the spinner (three will show - shape, color, number). Once no match can be found, follow the same rules as the two games above until you have a winner.

Try this:

• Skip the game. Choose any one attribute and sort the bugs into piles. For instance by colors or by shape. Then mix them all together, choose another attribute and go again.
• Skip the game. Place all the colored bugs on the table. Spin the spinner and look at the color and attribute. See who is the first person who can spot that bug on the rug. Give that person one point. Keep playing until someone has five points and wins the game.
• Stack several bugs in a small stack. Pick up the stack and push them off, one at a time, onto the rug during set up.
• Cup the hand to hold the die. If a person has difficulty cupping the hand, place a ball in the hand and ask the player to cup it, then remove it and replace it with the die. Ask the player to keep the hand in that position while saying snug as a bug in a rug three times. Or, cup both hands and put one over the other while shaking the die.
• Isolate different fingers to flick the spinner.
• Look for a nice "O" in the web space while spinning the spinner.
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial relations, counting to 4, shape, number and color recognition, arch strength and support, in-hand manipulation, isolating fingers, flicking, process skills, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 1 game board, 1 die, 24 colorful bugs, 3 grey stink bugs

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.