Sofia the First Royal Prep Academy

OVERVIEW

What it is

Sophia the First is the newest princess from Disney. She appeals to the preschool crowd and her TV show is shown on Disney Jr. With the intention to teach "princess morals" (like sharing and being graceful), the game, like the TV show, focuses on important skills for young children to have. However, actual game play means that these morals can be quickly ignored if you just want to play the game. It is, at base, a two player "find and seek" game, best for a parent, guardian or caretaker to play with a single preschool aged child. 

Quick start rules

This game is very simple to learn and very simple to play. It is usually best to start with a Princess Sofia preschooler and an adult hider. The adult hider draws cards and hides charms. The Princess Sofia player, wearing the pink bracelet, spins the spinner (to determine how many windows to open) and tries to find the hidden charms. If s/he finds one, s/he hangs it on his/her bracelet. If the hider draws a prince/princess helper card, use that token to show "Princess Sofia" where a charm is. Game play stops when you run out of cards or Princess Sofia finds all of the charms. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This is a really cute game with the most difficult initial set up we've had to deal with for a preschool game. Don't do what we did and hang all of the windows backwards. It's hard to undo and you may break the board in trying to fix it. However, game play itself is really cute and easy. It readily appealed at first blush to our 3 year old. 

WHAT WE THINK NOW

This is still a really cute game. You can mix up game play by introducing the princess morals or house rules. 

Our preschooler likes the game and will play it a couple of times through, but noted that she likes it a little less than she likes her pink sparkly Megablocks with the unicorn.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Suggested ages

Box: 3+

Developmental Skills Actually Necessary:
I probably wouldn't go much below 3 here, as there are a number of small parts. Although an adult should be right with the child at all times, the pieces would be very easy to swallow. Adults could help a child easily with any of the additional tasks, but a slightly older child could be challenged to read the numbers (to 4) and count out how many windows s/he opened. 

Rating and Maturity:

You do not need to be mature at all to play this game. This is solidly G!

Our Final Assessment:

Play Time

Space Necessary