Hoppers (game) facts for kids
Hoppers is a fun and challenging puzzle game. It was created by ThinkFun in 1999. In this game, players use a board with green frogs and one red frog. The main goal is to make the green frogs "leapfrog" over each other. You win when only the red frog is left on the board. Hoppers is a modern version of an old game called Peg solitaire.
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About Hoppers
Hoppers is a brain-teaser game for players aged 8 and up. Each game comes with a special board, several green frog pieces, and one red frog piece. It also includes challenge cards. These cards show you how to set up the frogs at the start of each puzzle.
How to Play Hoppers
Playing Hoppers is like a puzzle!
- First, you choose a challenge card.
- Then, you place the green and red frogs on the board exactly as the card shows.
- Your goal is to remove all the green frogs.
- To do this, a frog can "leap" over another frog. The frog that is jumped over is then removed from the board.
- You can only jump over one frog at a time.
- The frog you jump over must be right next to the jumping frog.
- There must be an empty space on the other side for the jumping frog to land.
- You keep jumping and removing frogs until only the red frog remains. If you get stuck with more than one frog, you can try again!
The Story Behind Hoppers
The game Hoppers was invented by a clever puzzle designer named Nob Yoshigahara. He based Hoppers on a very old puzzle game called Peg Solitaire. One specific version, known as “The Great Thirteen,” was patented in 1915 by W.C. Breitenbach. Nob Yoshigahara even used a computer program to help him create many different puzzles for Hoppers. This means there are lots of challenges to solve!
Meet Hoppers Jr.
If Hoppers sounds a bit tricky, there's also a version for younger kids! Hoppers Jr. is designed for ages 5 to 7. It is also sold by ThinkFun. This version has a bigger board, fewer frogs, and easier puzzles. It's a great way for younger players to learn how to play before moving on to the original Hoppers game.
Hoppers' Achievements
Both Hoppers and Hoppers Jr. have won several awards for being great games. These awards show that experts and parents think these games are fun and good for kids.
Hoppers Awards:
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio: Gold Award - 2001
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio: Gold Award - 2000
- Parents’ Choice: Silver Honor Award - 1999
- Dr. Toy: 100 Best Children’s Products - 1999
- Dr. Toy: 10 Best Games - 1999
- Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media: Children’s Media Program Award - 1999
Hoppers Jr Awards:
- iParenting Media 2008 Greatest Products Award
