If Candy Land is the classic first game, My First Orchard is the better first game. This HABA classic introduces toddlers to gaming through cooperation, chunky wooden pieces, and the thrill of racing against a hungry raven. It's been a staple in our house for over a decade.
What Is My First Orchard?
My First Orchard is a cooperative game where players work together to harvest fruit from four trees before a raven reaches the orchard. Players take turns rolling a large die that shows colors (matching fruit) or the raven. Roll a color? Pick a fruit of that color and put it in the shared basket. Roll the raven? He moves one step closer to the orchard.
If players collect all 16 fruits before the raven completes his path, everyone wins! If the raven arrives first, everyone loses together.
Why It's Better Than Candy Land
My First Orchard does everything Candy Land does — teaches colors, turn-taking, following rules — but adds several crucial elements:
- Cooperation: Everyone works together, eliminating the tears of losing
- Tactile joy: The chunky wooden fruits are satisfying to handle
- Tension: The raven creates genuine excitement
- Symbolic decisions: When you roll the basket, you choose any fruit — a tiny decision!
- Works solo: Kids can play alone, building independence
"No raven! Go away! We have to save the apples!" — My 2-year-old, fully invested in the outcome
The cooperative nature is the real magic. There's no winner and loser — everyone succeeds or fails together. For toddlers just learning about games, this removes the hardest part (losing gracefully) while still teaching everything else.
The Good Stuff
- Cooperative play: No tears from losing to siblings
- Gorgeous components: HABA's wooden pieces are beautiful and durable
- Perfect length: 5-10 minutes is ideal for toddlers
- Genuine tension: Will the raven win? Kids care!
- Solo play: Kids can play independently
- Age-appropriate: Designed specifically for 2-year-olds
- Durable: HABA quality means it survives multiple kids
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- Price: More expensive than mass-market games (~$25-30)
- Very simple: Even simpler than Candy Land mechanically
- Short shelf life: Kids outgrow it by 4 or so
- Raven can be scary: Some sensitive toddlers don't like the "bad guy"
Teaching Moments
- Colors: "What color did you roll? Can you find a fruit that matches?"
- Counting: "How many apples are left on the tree?"
- Taking turns: "Now it's your sister's turn to roll!"
- Teamwork: "We did it together! High fives!"
- Handling setbacks: "Oh no, the raven moved! But we can still win!"
The HABA Difference
HABA is a German company that specializes in children's games and toys. Their products are known for exceptional quality — solid wood pieces, non-toxic finishes, thoughtful design. My First Orchard has survived all six of my kids and still looks great.
If you enjoy My First Orchard, HABA makes an entire line of toddler-friendly games worth exploring:
- First Orchard (age 3+): Slightly more complex version with the same theme
- Animal Upon Animal (age 4+): Stacking game with adorable wooden animals
- Monza (age 5+): Racing game that introduces simple strategy
The Verdict
My First Orchard is the best first game for toddlers, period. It's cooperative (no crying), tactile (wooden fruit!), quick (10 minutes max), and genuinely engaging for little ones. The HABA quality means it'll last through multiple children.
Yes, it costs more than Candy Land. Yes, kids outgrow it. But those few years of play — the excitement when you roll the basket, the tension when the raven moves, the celebration when you win together — are worth every penny.
If you have a toddler, buy this game. It's been the starting point for a lifetime of gaming for each of my kids.
Final Score: 8/10 — The definitive first game for toddlers