Discover the Underwater World of Reading in Squishyland
Picture this: a magical world where Squishies aren't just squishy—they're the heroes of their own stories, on a quest to conquer reading challenges! Each Squishy is on a mission, zipping across shimmering gem-strewn paths toward the enchanting Crystal Castle. With every dice roll, not only do these plucky little Squishies hop, skip, or swim forward, but they also dive deeper into the magical world of reading.
Squishyland is no ordinary board game.
It's a fantastical journey into the heart of early literacy, crafted by wizards (okay, they’re actually world-class educators, but they've got magical teaching powers!) specializing in the Science of Reading.
This game turns the adventure of learning to read into a rollicking, giggle-filled quest that kids from PreK to 2nd grade absolutely adore. So, buckle up—Squishyland is all about zany fun and dazzling learning, rolled into one!
Your Guide to Squishyland: How to Play
Setting Up Your Reading Adventure
Get ready to enter the enchanting world of Squishyland, where every corner sparkles with color and every roll of the dice brings a new adventure! Here’s how you can dive into this candy-colored universe:
Setting the Stage
Unfold the game board, a visual carnival of hues and whimsy. Each player chooses a squishy champion—each one a cute, charismatic hero in this vibrant realm.
The board isn’t just beautiful; it’s a playground of possibilities where learning lurks around every corner!
Choose your Challenge
Choose and shuffle the deck of cards, then place them face down where everyone can reach. Oh, and here’s the fun part—each player can choose a different deck of cards that matches their grade or reading level! This way, everyone gets a challenge that’s just right for them.
This means that if the players are in different grade levels or are practicing different reading skills, each one can use a different deck throughout the game in order to match or improve their current skills.
Gameplay
The youngest player gets to go first (Fair and square!). On your turn, draw a card from the deck and solve the reading challenge. Move your Squishy Character as the card directs, getting a gem closer to the Crystal Castle! After you move, place the used card in a discard pile, and your turn is over (for now!).
Some cards have magical gems on them that allow the Squishies to make larger jumps. They can have one colored gem or two of them!
- 1 Colored Gem: Move to the first matching gem on the board.
- 2 Colored Gems: Move to the second matching gem on the board.
Special Cards
If a player gets a Pink Gem Card: Move forward or backward to the matching picture space on the board.
If a player gets a Clownfish Challenge Card: Move forward 5 spaces.
If a player gets a Shark Card:
- 1 Colored Gem: Move back to the first matching gem on the board.
- 2 Colored Gems: Move back to the second matching gem on the board.
Special Moves
Using Shortcuts
Getting Stuck in Bubbles
If you land on a bubble space, this means Bubbles has trapped you in his bubbles! (Oh - that Bubbles!) Your Squishy is stuck and you skip your next turn.
Game Ending: You’ve made it to Crystal Castle!
In Squishyland, all gems lead to the dazzling Crystal Castle, where literacy legends are crowned in a spectacular ceremony! While there's always a champ who claims the crown, remember, in this magical realm, every player emerges as a winner.
That’s because here, victory isn’t just about reaching the castle first; it’s about the rich reading skills each adventurer gains along the way—a true triumph for all! So keep your eyes on the prize and your heart in the game, because in Squishyland, everyone leaves a little smarter and a whole lot happier!
Why Squishyland is Simply Amazing
Squishyland is no ordinary board game. It’s a complete gamified reading journey backed by the best educational standards like B.E.S.T, Common Core, and TEKS. Here’s why it’s the ticket to terrific reading:
- Crafted by Reading Wizards: Behind this game are the best brains in reading education, making sure every turn teaches something tremendous.
- One Size Fits All Fun: Whether you’re a quick learner, a little struggling, or somewhere in between, Squishyland welcomes you with open arms and open books!
- Everywhere’s a Classroom: Perfect for schools, homes, or any magical nook where learning to read meets laughter.
Be a part of our Journey
If you enjoyed this sneak peek and believe in the magic of this game as much as we do, we invite you to explore our full Kickstarter campaign. Check out our exciting video, read up on all the fun details, and become a proud member of the Squishyland Squad! We're super excited to bring Squishyland to life and deliver joy and excitement to every reader!
