Kids’ Game Review: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bakeshop from Briarpatch

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bakeshop, part of the Briarpatch brand from University Games, serves up fast-paced fun as players keep a watchful eye for matches. The Very Hungry Caterpillar debuted more than a half-century ago, and Eric Carle’s delightful artwork continues to draw generations of readers. While the story itself—small steps with incremental changes lead to big transformations—holds as a valuable theme, the iconic brushwork and bold shapes in the art are what stick with readers the most. This style continues as the Very Hungry Caterpillar goes on further adventures, and it takes a new form with delicious baked goods.

Quick and Easy Play

Each game of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bakeshop tasks players with collecting the most matches as cards come up. Each of the 31 unique designs features its own baked good, from cupcakes to croissants and turnovers. Players should especially keep an eye out for cameo appearances by that Very Hungry Caterpillar checking out a doughnut or cookie.

Play in The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bakeshop begins by shuffling the Bakeshop Cards and setting them face down where each player can reach. Players then take turns flipping over cards one at a time, placing them face up so that all players can see all cards that have been flipped. Players race to be the first to spot a matching pair and ring the included bell to call out “yummy!” They must also be mindful of ringing the bell if there is not a pair—it will cost them a previously collected pair, which must be given to the opponent of their choice. The game ends when the last card is drawn, and the players count up their pairs. The winner is the one with the most pairs!

All in the Reflexes

Each game speeds up as more and more cards turn over. Statistically, it is unlikely that pairs will be drawn early on, building up a large field of play that players must keep in mind as they watch a new card being flipped. Following the midway point, more and more cards drawn will match cards already in play. This means the trick is to keep track of where previous cards are, in order to be the first to match them. The last card should always be a match with the remaining card, making it a race to the bell for the final scoring pair.

Learning While We Play

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Bakeshop is a matching game for two to four players aged three and up. Games go fast, lasting about 10 to 15 minutes before all of the cards are matched. Keener-eyed players may end rounds even more quickly. Whether just starting out or already experts, players of all ages will benefit from the practice as Bakeshop is part of Briarpatch’s Play & Learn System encouraging basic skill mastery. Specifically, players practice coordination and math skills counting up their pairs, skills much needed for all ages.