HABA My Very First Games - Animal Upon Animal Junior Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

The HABA My Very First Games - Animal Upon Animal Junior is a stacking game designed for toddlers aged 2 and up. This game promotes the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and introduces basic concepts of following rules and cooperative play. It offers three distinct ways to play, ensuring engaging and educational fun for young children.

This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up, playing, and maintaining your game to ensure a lasting and enjoyable experience.

2. What's Included

Carefully unpack the game box and ensure all components are present:

• 8 colorful wooden animal figures
• 1 wooden die
• 1 green meadow game board
• 1 waterhole game board
• 8 sun tiles
• 2 shoreline tiles
• 1 rulebook (this manual)

Image: All game components of HABA Animal Upon Animal Junior laid out, including wooden animal figures, game boards, sun tiles, and a die.

3. Setup

To prepare for play, follow these steps:

1. Place the green meadow game board and the waterhole game board side-by-side on a flat playing surface.
2. Distribute the 8 sun tiles and 2 shoreline tiles around the game boards.
3. Place the 8 wooden animal figures and the wooden die within easy reach of all players.

Image: Two stacks of wooden animals on the game boards, demonstrating the stacking gameplay.

4. Operating Instructions: Game Modes

HABA Animal Upon Animal Junior offers three engaging ways to play:

4.1. Free Play Stacking

This mode is ideal for the youngest players to explore and develop their motor skills without strict rules.

• Players take turns or play simultaneously, stacking the wooden animal figures on top of each other, either on the game boards or directly on the table.
• Encourage creativity in stacking and balancing the animals.
• There are no winners or losers; the goal is simply to enjoy the act of stacking.

Image: A fox and snake wooden animal figures stacked on the green meadow game board.

4.2. Dice Stacking Game

This mode introduces simple rules and turn-taking, enhancing decision-making and fine motor skills.

1. Players take turns rolling the wooden die.
2. The die has different symbols: a blue dot, a green dot, and a sun.
3. If the die shows a blue dot or a green dot, the player must choose an animal figure and stack it on the corresponding colored game board (blue for waterhole, green for meadow).
4. If the die shows a sun, the player can choose any animal figure and stack it on either game board.
5. The game continues until all animals are stacked or a stack tumbles. Players can decide if the game ends when a stack falls, or if they simply rebuild and continue.

4.3. Cooperative "Beat the Crab" Game

In this cooperative mode, players work together to achieve a common goal, fostering teamwork and shared success.

1. Place the crab wooden figure on one of the shoreline tiles.
2. Players take turns rolling the die and stacking animals as described in the Dice Stacking Game (Section 4.2).
3. After each player's turn, if no stack has fallen, move the crab figure one step along the shoreline tiles towards the waterhole.
4. The players win if they successfully stack all 8 wooden animal figures before the crab reaches the waterhole.
5. If a stack tumbles, the crab moves two steps instead of one. If the crab reaches the waterhole before all animals are stacked, the crab wins.

Image: The crab wooden figure on the waterhole game board, a key element in the cooperative game mode.

5. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity of your HABA Animal Upon Animal Junior game:

• Store all game components in the original box when not in use to prevent loss or damage.
• Clean wooden figures and game boards with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, which can cause the wood to warp or fade.
• Regularly inspect components for any signs of wear or damage. Discontinue use if any parts become broken or pose a safety risk.

6. Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with your game:

• Missing Pieces: Double-check the game box and playing area. If a piece is genuinely missing, contact HABA customer support.
• Difficulty Stacking: For very young children, start with Free Play Stacking (Section 4.1) to build confidence and motor skills before introducing dice or cooperative rules.
• Game Rules Confusion: Refer to this manual for clarification. For younger players, simplify rules as needed or focus on one game mode at a time.

7. Specifications

• Brand: HABA
• Model Name: Animal Upon Animal Junior
• Item Model Number: 306069
• Material: Wood
• Item Dimensions (L x W x H): 8.75 x 6.75 x 1.8 inches
• Item Weight: 1.32 pounds
• Number of Pieces: 15 (8 animals, 1 die, 1 meadow, 1 waterhole, 8 sun tiles, 2 shoreline tiles)
• Recommended Age: 2+ years
• GTIN: 04010168255859

Image: A young child engaged in stacking the wooden animal figures.

8. Safety Information

This product is designed for children aged 2 and up. All HABA products are rigorously tested to meet US and European safety standards. Ensure children play under adult supervision, especially when first learning the game, to prevent accidental ingestion of small parts (though the pieces are generally large and chunky for toddlers).

9. Warranty and Support

HABA stands by the quality of its products. For warranty information, replacement parts, or customer support, please contact HABA_USA directly. You can find contact details on the official HABA website or through your retailer.

HABA has been creating high-quality, sustainably-designed toys and games for over 85 years, with many wooden products made in Germany from sustainably managed forests.

Image: HABA's commitment to using sustainably sourced, PEFC certified wood for its toys.