Orchard Toys Shopping List Game > Reviews (13)

I had heard a lot about the shopping game from Orchard Toys and had previously bought it for a lot of my daughter’s friends as birthday presents through last year. It was always on my list to buy for her as she loves anything to do with shopping at the moment, so it was great to see that Santa had been thoughtful enough to bring it for her.

The game consists of four cardboard shopping trolleys, four shopping lists and 32 game pieces. I have to point out that like all of Orchard Toys games; the cardboard pieces are super thick, glossed and very sturdy. These will withstand an excited small child which is all good.
The game is for up to four players, but can be played with two should you require. Basically you choose a shopping list and a trolley each, and lay out all the cards face down on your playing surface.

The basic idea of the game is memory, but you can develop this into many other ways. Each player takes it in turn to choose a card and turn it over. If it matches an item on their shopping list then they get to keep the card and place it in their trolley. If it doesn’t match their list then it goes back face down.
Obviously the other players will see the card and have to remember if this is a card they need. The winner is the person to fill their shopping trolley first.

Orchard Toys recommend this game for player’s age 3-7 years. My daughter is 3 and a half and understands completely how to play the game. We have found it’s easier and quicker to play with four people rather than two, as all the cards are needed and picked up quicker. When just two of us are playing we could be turning cards over for ages before either one of us spots one we need. This can result in my daughter losing interest quicker than if there are lots of us playing.

We adapt the game by asking questions as we’re playing. How many items do you need? What is left on your shopping list? Where does cheese live in the house? There are different ones I use, but just general learning questions to hone her knowledge of food and supermarket items.

The game is recommended at the £7 mark, but if you shop around you can buy it cheaper. I have to say though you will get value for money from the product even if you did buy at the full retail price. I think this game will last us for a few years, and should my daughter get bored, there are booster packs you can buy to add on with themes of clothes and other items. I think we’ll be investing in these in the future.