Ani-gram-it is a tile game for kids and families from na2ure that combines science learning, the natural world, and play. (Disclosure: na2ure sent me a set of game cards for review purposes. All opinions are my own.)
Ani-gram-it is a great game for kids who love animals and classification. I'm used to saying no to review opportunities but when na2ure contacted me about the game and I read the description, I KNEW that my science, classification and animal-loving 9 year old nerdy son would LOVE it.
I was right.
Our first experience playing it was actually with our neighbors. I happened to get the game in the mail on the same day that we host our weekly pizza night and so two 9-year-olds and my 5-year-old (with my help) set about playing. It was a huge hit, and we don't normally play games with other kids. (I don't know why, but doing that hasn't been very successful for us.)
Ani-gram-it consists of 100 cards, each of which has two sides: a gorgeous photo and the name of the corresponding body part. Body parts are divided into 5 categories: move, see/hear/feel, eat, skin, inside. Players "build" animals by creating sets of different body parts in a crossword-style grid.
MORE: Tile Games for Kids and Families
Thoughts on playing Ani-gram-it with kids:
- If you've played Qwirkle (another game of the month), the rules of Ani-gram-it will be familiar to you. Building animals requires a similar strategy as building sets in Qwirkle.
- It is recommended for children ages 5 and up but my 5 year old needed assistance. I recommend at least one adult play the game if there are children under the age of 7 at the table.
- You need a large playing space on the table, or floor.
- By the end of the game, the boys were all making up imaginary animals. I loved that! It didn't bother me at all that they were stretching the rules.
- To extend the learning, have kids name the animal for each corresponding body part as they play their cards.
- There is a point-scoring system to the game, but it is easy to play without using it. If you follow my games recommendations, you know we frequently abandon keeping score.
Disclosure: Na2ure sent me a game for review purposes. All opinions are my own. We genuinely loved this game and I recommend it for families. Middle two photos used courtesy of na2ure.
Melia says
This looks so fun! Thanks for the game suggestions - you keep feeding our game obsession!
craftymomsshare says
Oh, it looks like a lot of fun!! My daughter will love it.
Ria says
Gorgeous imagesso appealing to nature obsessed me & kiddo. Love that the kids came up with their own animals!
Johanna says
Sounds like my kids would love it too. Thanks for recommending it!
Alyssa Rundle says
We play games often! Looks like a fun one! Alyssa R.
Jillian says
This game looks so fun! I can't wait to try it out.
Alex Wolf (@na2ure) says
Thanks Erica for the great review! So glad you all enjoyed, and played outside the "rule box" as well since open ended toys build creative thinking skills.
Ani-Gram-it and ferret for iPad are a great summer nature learning combo for on the go, and the board game is a perfect house present if you are going to visit friends and family and they already "have everything".
I'm looking forward to seeing the comments from your readers!
Jennifer says
Thank you for the game suggestion! My 5 year old is a nature kid so I think this will be a hit. We love games but I forget to get them out and play. I've been trying to bring them out more regularly since following your blog.
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
This looks like a fun game! We love your game recommendations. (I've been meaning to tell you we bought Rush Hour Jr. on your recommendation, and it has been a huge hit!)
Catherine says
My animal loving daughter and my science loving son would enjoy this!
growingbookbybook says
This looks like such a neat game. I love to discover new games through your recommendations.
Stephanie smart says
Looks like a great game! Love your blog!
Melissa Taylor says
this looks super fun!
Ixel says
This is a very attractive game! Love the design and colors. Thank you for your suggestions!
connie says
my animal loving boys would love this game!
Clarissa Hooper says
I am a game fanatic! This one looks so great for my niece, I'd love to win it!
Michelle says
We love games! Would love to win!
--anu says
I love the game review posts! I have found several additions to our game shelf 🙂
Edie says
Students in media ctr would love!
Sara Greenfield says
My students would love playing this in collaborative teams. Very excited about this product.
Serena Schreiber says
Looks like #STEAM learning to me! STEM + Art makes learning fun. I'd love to play this game with my daughter. It appeals to my author nerd sensibilities.
Alex Wolf (@na2ure) says
Right on #STEAM!! The STEM to STEAM movement is spearheaded by by alma mater RISD, and I'm one of their favorite practitioners. Do you have other favorite STEAM games?
Jennifer says
I love this feature... I've already started collecting a couple of your recommended games, though we're a bit far off for most of them!
Karolyn says
This looks like so much fun. Every month my kids and I look forward to seeing your new game. It has helped us grow our collection.
Diane L. says
I've never heard of this game before, but is sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to win it for my sister's grandchildren.
Deceptively Educational says
My son would go absolutely ga-ga over this! I'll be loading the app onto his iPad mini tomorrow for our game of the week! THANK YOU!
Julie Lee says
We are always looking for new games to play as a family! We would love this!
iGameMom says
looks wonderful. We just downloaded the app, and love it.
kaleigh andrews says
This looks like a fun game! I think my kiddos would enjoy it as well!! Thanks for the recommendation!
mlsweet88 says
That looks like fun!
Regina says
This looks neat. Would love to have it.
Birdiebee says
My grandkids would love this game.
sarah says
I love the vivid pictures bright colors and all the animals and so would my daughter!
domestic diva says
This looks like fun! Thanks for the chance.
Sarah Yurga says
I'm always looking for a fun New game to play with the kids!
Stephanie Shipley says
That game looks like a lot of fun! My son and little sisters would love to create their own animals 🙂
Sunnie says
This looks like a lot of fun, I would love to use it for a fun homeschool day.
Amber says
This game looks fun!
Megan Rivard says
LOL So cool! When I was in middle school in the mid nineties I invented a game similar to this in a class I was taking -- my teacher told me it wasn't good. I knew it was awesome! And I'm so excited it was made into a real game with (it looks like) better rules than I had.
britnee says
What a fun educational game for the whole family!
christy colln says
This game looks great and I think my son would love it thanks for the chance
Melissa Bowers says
This looks like a game my 6- and 8-year-olds would enjoy!
Shelley says
My son is obsessed with animals right now and would love this game. Personally, I'm grateful for your reminder that its OK to bend the rules when playing games with kids. I get a little fixated on rules and need to let that go. Thanks for the giveaway.
Heather says
looks like something the whole family would enjoy. so glad you accepted this review opp 🙂
Kelley says
Cool game. Thanks for sharing!
Leah says
Looks Fun
Megan Parsons says
My kids would love this game!
lee mckoen says
Looks like fun thanks for the chance!
Nicole Lancaster says
My family would love to play this game. It looks very interesting.
Ann says
This game sounds fun. I think my kids would enjoy building animals!
lisa says
this looks cool. thanks for the giveaway.
Nancy says
This looks like a fun and flexible game.
Shana says
Thanks, Erica, for sponsoring the giveaway and for your thoughtful review. We're looking forward to starting a monthly family game night when the kids get a little bit older, and we're always looking for cool new games!
Sam says
We have loved all of your game suggestions.... Perhaps maxed the credit cards but so worth it. This would be great for my 7 y old and my older girls!
FinallyStayAtHomeMomma says
This game would be perfect in an elementary classroom. I love it!
Shelia S
Sarah Brown says
I really love the beautiful presentation of this game, especially the photos.
Theresa (Capri + 3) says
This game looks like so much fun and I love that it is educational too!
Leela says
My kids would love this 🙂
Abby says
My science teacher husband would love this game for his classroom!
Emily D says
My kids would love this!
Brandy Fisk says
My son loves learning! This looks fun!
Debby Chandler says
this looks like a fun game for my grand children to play when they come to visit me.
Fiona N says
It looks so interesting! I would love to win it for my son!
Thank You for the chance
liz l says
Looks like fun
tina reynolds says
This game looks like a lot of fun my son would love it
jodi says
this looks like it could be really fun! great for family game night
Mandy says
Looks fun! Would love to play with my kids
jeremy mclaughlin says
My kids would love this, looks fun.
Kiley P. says
I would love to play this with my kids.