Hasbro's Pretty Pretty Princess Kids' Board Game

Pretty Pretty Princess may sound like a game that would appeal only to girls, but lots of boys enjoy it too. Kids seem to especially enjoy seeing their fathers and grandfathers wearing the baubles collected during the game. Well-designed and easy to play, Pretty Pretty Princess may not win any prizes for educational content, but it is a fun kids' board game.

This game consists of a round plastic box which holds plastic jewelry in four colors. The lid of the box has a mirror on one side and a spinner on the other. There are four gameboard pieces which fit around the jewelry box, and plastic playing pieces.

Players accumulate items of jewelry as they move around the board by taking turns with the spinner. The winner is the first player to accumulate a full set of jewelry--necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet, plus the much-coveted crown. No one can win, however, if he or she is wearing the black ring.

The game is suggested for ages five and up, which seems about right to me. My four-year-old granddaughter played with her cousins, and she wanted to choose her own moves on the board instead of using her spin, but she had a grand time anyway. The game board has some words, such as "Give one back," but non-readers will easily learn to recognize the pictures. My two grandsons, seven and six, played happily. The six-year-old flaunted every piece of jewelry he won, while the seven-year-old insisted on putting his on his sister.

If you're concerned about how toy companies market to girls, you may not approve of Pretty Pretty Princess. I don't want every toy and game that my granddaughters own to be of the princess variety, but neither do I think that such games and toys must be always out of bounds. The fact that my grandsons will play it means that it does have appeal beyond the girly package.

I like the game because it doesn't require much skill and therefore is good for my grandchildren of mixed ages. I enjoy playing it with them when there is a spot for me, or I can be the facilitator. It's good practice for kids in taking turns, as well as in handling emotions when someone takes their crown away! The plastic jewelry seems sturdy, and the earrings fasten with non-painful plastic clips. I think Pretty Pretty Princess will keep its place in my toy closet for quite a while.