Pandabo Bamboo Game Stacks Up

These days it’s difficult to find a child’s toy that isn’t made of plastic. The number one problem is that plastic isn’t durable. As rough as kids are on things, it doesn’t take long to break even the best quality toys.

HaPe International, of Switzerland, designed a game called Pandabo for children ages 4+.

Pandabo is made from durable and renewable bamboo, which grows back completely in a mere three years, making this game very environmentally friendly. It also won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award in 2006.

The pieces are simple and include a rocking Panda bear and 24 bamboo sticks in a variety of shapes. Each player rolls the dice and take turns adding different shaped sticks on top of the wobbly Panda. The trick is to keep the bamboo sticks from all falling off the bear and the player who causes them to tumble is out of the game.

This is a wonderful game for building fine motor and problem solving skills. We spent an afternoon playing it with our 4.5 year old and really enjoyed it. My husband and I agreed that it reminds us of Jenga. I love that the dice is based on shapes, not numbers, which will allow younger children to play.

My only recommendation is that Pandabo should include a few more of the circle sticks, because we found ourselves a few short and had to substitute another shape a couple times.

A child could easily play with this game alone since stacking the sticks is a challenge in itself. An added bonus is the canister that creates easy storage.

For under $12 Pandabo is a steal!