Monkey Around – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Monkey Around

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game

82%

WISE Score

6.5

Board Game Geek

A 10-minute wiggle-fest that teaches toddlers how board games work—then gets shoved to the back of the closet by age 4.

Monkey Around

Board Game

82%

WISE Score

6.5

Board Game Geek

A 10-minute wiggle-fest that teaches toddlers how board games work—then gets shoved to the back of the closet by age 4.

4.8

6.5

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Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a gateway drug to board gaming, and it does that job beautifully. If you have a toddler who's ready to learn turn-taking and following simple instructions, Monkey Around nails it—cooperative structure, giggles, 10 minutes and done.

The catch? You're buying a game with about 18 months of useful life, max. By age 4, most kids have moved on to games with actual decisions. Parents online are honest about this: it's great for the narrow window when your kid is too young for everything else but ready for structured play.

The price point (usually $15-20) makes it reasonable for what amounts to a developmental stepping stone rather than a forever game. If you've got a 2-3 year old and need something to bridge the gap between chaotic play and real games, grab it. Just know you're not buying Candy Land longevity here.

Age Fit

Built for ages 2-3, maybe stretching to 4 for kids who still enjoy simple physical games. Parents of 20-30 month olds rave about it; by kindergarten it's gathering dust. The 7-year-old who 'still loves it' in reviews is being kind to their little sibling.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Cooperative game with 'together' cards that encourage playing as a team rather than competing. Models positive social interaction and shared success. The silly movement prompts (balancing bananas, hopping) create giggles without chaos. Parent reviews consistently mention it builds connection between siblings and parent-child pairs.

Imaginative

Physical movement game with banana beanbag and simple action cards. The movements themselves (balancing, hopping, marching) are prescribed rather than open-ended, limiting creative expression. It's more about following instructions than inventing play, though toddlers do enjoy the silly monkey theme and physical comedy of the actions.

Safe

Essentially zero safety concerns. Physical movements are age-appropriate for 2+ (balancing, hopping). Cooperative structure avoids competitive conflict. No small parts hazards mentioned. Board games from Peaceable Kingdom have strong safety track record. The only 'risk' is a toddler bonking into furniture while hopping, which is just toddler life.

Enriching

Genuinely builds gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, body-part recognition, spatial awareness, and vocabulary in the 20-30 month range. The 'following instructions' aspect is solid executive function practice for toddlers. However, it's a 10-minute game with limited depth—you'll exhaust its educational value fairly quickly as kids age past 3.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely the best first board game for 20-30 month olds—teaches turn-taking and following instructions without tears
Cooperative structure means no one loses, which is clutch when your toddler's emotional regulation is still under construction
The 'together' cards where everyone does the action create actual family bonding moments (and hilarious videos)
Builds real gross motor skills and body awareness while feeling like pure silly fun
10-minute play time is perfect for toddler attention spans—you'll actually finish a game

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely short shelf life—most kids are done with it by age 4, some even earlier
Limited replayability once the novelty wears off (you're doing the same movements repeatedly)
Older siblings will humor it for a few rounds but won't genuinely engage long-term

Conversation Starters

"Can you show me your favorite monkey move from the game?"
"What other animals do you think could have their own game like this? What would they do?"
"Which card was the silliest today—the banana balance or the hopping?"

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