 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Backyardigans
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
- Price: $29.99
- Genre: Preschool
Common Sense Media says
Fine but somewhat repetitive preschool TV show game.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this three-episode collection of Backyardigans adventures freatures the endearing characters from the Nick Jr preschool series and provides players with an opportunity to use basic early-education concepts in order to advance the story. Each adventure can be completed relatively quickly and, while the scenery and storylines change from adventure to adventure, the actions the player must perform remain basically the same.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn a variety of basic early-learning concepts, including color and shape identification, pattern recognition, number order, and rhythm. Kids tap musical instruments to a designated rhythm, match items of similar color and shape, and hone their hand-eye coordination by steering through a maze-like obstacle course. All instructions are spoken aloud, so following directions is also a major part of the lesson. By having to overcome obstacles with the help of others, players are introduced to the benefits of collaboration. The Backyardigans engages preschoolers with early learning, although somewhat repetitively.
Skills
- Collaborationmeeting challenges together, respecting other viewpoints, teamwork
- Communicationlistening
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningpart-whole relationships, solving puzzles
What's it about?
The Backyardigans game, just like the TV series, follows five animal friends who play together in their backyards, which they imagine to be different wild and exotic environments. In this game, the friends act out three different adventures -- pirates on a treasure hunt, superheroes stopping supervillains from stealing a giant key, and space garbagemen hounded by space junk collectors who want to swipe trash from them. As classic as the themes of those first two may be, no one can accuse that third story of being clichéd.
Is it any good?
The Backyardigans is a fine, if unexceptional video game for preschoolers. The characters and stories are cute, and all the right early-learning concepts are called upon during play. But the adventures are over quickly and the same activities -- guiding a vehicle around obstacles, hitting numbers in order to create dance steps, shouting words into the microphone when cued -- are repeated from story to story. Too often, the game actions are unconnected to what's actually going on in the story, like matching shapes in order to hoist a sail. The addition of a freestyle music game helps add an extra fun element. In the end, though, this game is best for fans of the TV show who will enjoy the chance to interact with beloved characters.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the value of imagination. How can the adventures the Backyardigans undertake seem so real to them when the stories only exist in their heads?
Parents can also use the game as a jumping off point for reinforcing basic preschool concepts, such as numbers, shapes, and colors.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn a variety of basic early-learning concepts, including color and shape identification, pattern recognition, number order, and rhythm. Kids tap musical instruments to a designated rhythm, match items of similar color and shape, and hone their hand-eye coordination by steering through a maze-like obstacle course. All instructions are spoken aloud, so following directions is also a major part of the lesson. By having to overcome obstacles with the help of others, players are introduced to the benefits of collaboration. The Backyardigans engages preschoolers with early learning, although somewhat repetitively.
Subjects
- Arts: music, rhythm
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading:
- Math: patterns, shapes
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration: meeting challenges together, respecting other viewpoints, teamwork
- Communication: listening
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: part-whole relationships, solving puzzles
How kids will learn
Kids play through three fantasy adventures dreamed up by the young Backyardigans characters. By visualizing pirates on a treasure hunt or superheroes stopping villains, kids can see that pretend-play and using their imagination is fun. Plus, they take on these baddies with the help of the other characters.
How parents can help
- Watch the Backyardigans TV show with your kids; ask them what they've learned from each episode.
- Engage in pretend play with your children and resist imposing too many rules.
- Provide musical instruments and play songs in an impromptu band with your kids.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Great game for pre-schoolers!!
My daugher really likes this game. I like that she is learning while she is having fun, she likes playing the mini games. She LOVES feeling like she is in the show, helping the charaters solve the problem!
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Preschool |
| Developer: | 2K Play |
| Release date: | November 5, 2009 |
| Price: | $29.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for (No Descriptors) |
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