Plan Toys Plan Toy Balancing Cactus

by Plan Toys

• A Fast Paced Exciting Game For 14 Players Ages 38
• Choose Which Pieces To Add To The Cactus Without Making It Fall
• Develops Basic Math Foundations Through Fun Play
• Encourages Cooperative Play
• Winner Of Good Toy Award Thailand Spiel Gut Award Germany German Design Prize And Good Toy Award Japan

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.6 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Origin: Thailand
• ASIN: B0009B0M4E
• Item model number: 410101
• Manufacturer recommended age: 36 months - 12 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,768 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Plan Toy Balancing Cactus Game is a fun exciting game for 1-4 players. Each player takes turns adding pieces to the cactus, trying not to let it fall over. The players must estimate weight, size and placement to keep the cactus balanced. Sorting and decision making skills come into play. Balancing cactus is a fun way for a child to develop early math and analytical thinking skills. It is great for ages 3-8, winner of four awards.

Product Description

The Player who can balance the cactus without making it fall is the winner. The game is an exciting challenge for 1- 4 players.

Playtime Ideas:

• Each player can construct a cactus tree by adding or removing a cactus stem.
• The game starts by putting the base of the cactus tree in the middle of a table.
• The first player begins by trying to add a cactus piece to the base and the next player adds to this.
• Each player must try to balance the cactus as a new stem is added.
• The player responsible for making the cactus fall down first will lose.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Toy & Lovely Display Piece Too! February 15, 2010

By goonius TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

This is a fantastic toy, one of my favorites in the Plan Toys line, and we own more than a few of them. I don't mean just fun for the kids; my husband and I like playing with it also!

My children, two and four, were immediately taken with it. We haven't yet played it as a 'game' but that's really just a bonus interpretation of its uses anyway. It's fun to just stack it in really precarious ways (ie. those other than what's pictured) and see how long you can keep it from toppling while building it up as tall or wide as possible. If you were to build the cactus, as is pictured, it is very attractive and proves to be quite stable. This is nice for shelving the toy when I'm too busy to supervise my youngest with it. The real challenges are not in building what is expected, but are self-imposed; pushing the limits of what can be balanced atop this generally stable base.

This toy/game consists of a total of 19 pieces that fit together with a peg-and hole system. Each progressively smaller piece has less holes, and the coral-orange pieces have no holes, and so cannot be built upon. Another reviewer mentioned that the pegs fit loosely in the holes and this is true. A piece will often swivel downward from the weight of a successive piece. This doesn't bother me, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Here are the pieces that come with this set, and their measurements (information that seems difficult to come by per my observation before ordering):

- 1 Unfinished Wooden Base (5 holes): 3.5" tall x 2.5" (widest point at top) 1.5" (at bottom)
- 3 Large Dark Green Pieces (3 holes): about 3.25" tall x 1.75" wide
- 3 Medium Green Pieces (2 holes): 2.75" x 1.5"
- 3 Medium (Slightly Lighter) Green Pieces (2 holes): 2.75" x 1.5"
- 3 Small Red Pieces (1 hole) 2" x 1"
- 3 Small Yellow Pieces (1 hole) 2" x 1"
- 3 Small Coral-Orange Pieces (0 holes) 2" x 1"

Of note, especially with the many reviews stating that kids under three love this toy, is that the age recommendations are spot on. If you allow a younger child to play with this toy, it is important to be mindful of the fact that the smaller pieces are precisely the right size to cut off their airway if they were to accidentally swallow one.

Other than that already assumed issue I think this is a wonderful toy with the potential to be enjoyed by young and old alike.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun & Educational! June 30, 2009

By Karen A. Bryant

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I purchased this product for my twin 3 year olds. They love it! They play with it every day. My only complaint is that the pieces seem to fit less snug after lots of use so the pieces turn as you add a new piece but I would absolutely buy this again based on this purchase. My twins love building the pieces as high as possible and I know they are learning in the process. Great toy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A BIG hit with my toddler March 6, 2011

By cmeg42

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I picked up this toy on a whim because I love simple, durable wooden toys and the cactus shape was so novel. I wasn't fully expecting that my toddler (26 mos) would take to it as he has, but it truly is one of his favorite toys. He loves to try different combinations and when it topples is eager to "try again." He seriously will play with it for an hour. I also love that it teaches cooperation- it's been a great vehicle for teaching my toddler the foundations for social game-playing. I use the cactus to teach "my turn" and "your turn," and now he uses this language as well and LOVES it. Honestly the best toy I've found in months- wish other toys were such a hit for him. Fun and educational!