Guest Author - Megan Romer

Well, I've looked around for a good substitute for Candy Land, and I think I've found the perfect thing in Healthy Habits, a life-sized board game by Zang Games. The game is simple, it comes with 30 "board spaces", actually large laminated sheets with a non-slip backing that you spread around the room in a swirly, twisty path. Players take turns rolling the big foam dice and moving the designated number of spaces.

Once the player lands on a square, they (or a teacher or parent or caregiver) read what the game space says. The game spaces say things like "You forgot to wash your hands after you went to the bathroom. Move back five spaces." and "You ate all your vegetables today! Move ahead 6 spaces!" Topics covered include getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, drinking water, personal hygiene, disease transmission (the "You sneezed on your friend" space sends you all the way back to start!), dental hygiene and emotional health ("You hugged your family today and told them that you love them"). The only potentially objectionable space is the "You drank all your milk today" space, which vegetarian and vegan families may not like. However, a quick alteration with a Sharpie can add "SOY" in front of milk, and everyone's happy.

This game is definitely parent-approved, as not only does the game talk about healthy habits, but the act of playing the game itself is healthy! It's not an old-fashioned board game where kids sit still (which can be difficult for preschoolers), rather, they get to move around. It's learning by example! What a great game!

HEALTHY HABITS AT-A-GLANCE:

GAME BOX INCLUDES: 30 "playing pieces", 2 foam dice

YOU'LL NEED: A bit of floor space to lay out all the pieces, a passel of preschoolers

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $25, available at http://www.zanggames.com

AWARDS WON: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products, Dr. Toy 10 Best Active Products

TRY IF YOU LIKE: Actually, try if you DON'T like Candyland or similar kids' games.

PERFECT FOR: An afternoon of moving, hopping indoor fun on a rainy day.

RATING: 5 healthy servings of veggies out of 5