Cardboard Corner: Review of Little Bird, Big Hunger

I noticed the other day on Board Game Geek that it’s possible to track the number of times you’ve played a particular game. Thinking about our family’s collection, I came to the realization that Little Bird, Big Hunger would take the top spot. The reason? The (figurative) niche it occupies on the shelf, i.e. the age of my children.

Little Bird, Big Hunger is a Haba children’s game for little people as young as 2 years old. Collecting food for your little hatching by rolling dice, kids feed their bird throughout a four-stage growth cycle—cracking its egg to flying. That’s it. But for as simple as it is, my children—my oldest at age 6—still enjoy playing. Somewhat cooperative, somewhat competitive, and overall relaxing, players work together feeding their birds. Roll the die. Check if your bird needs the food source showing on the die. If yes, take the appropriate token. Fill all the food requirements, and you're ready for the next stage in the cycle. The win condition is the first bird to fly—to reach the fourth stage, but, as the designers suggest, the better goal is to see all the birds through their full cycle of development. Putting this philosophy into play, my children have never been disappointed or sad their bird was not first to fly.

I’m sure there are many games in the running for the proverbial “My First Board Game”, and Little Bird, Big Hunger is certainly one of them. A 2-year old able to play, our littlest ones have the joy of seeing their little bird grow with nurturing and nutrients. The game teaches the skills of taking turns, set collection, as well as the facts of life with minimal cooperation/competition. Surprising me again and again, my children are always ready whenever I suggest we play it, making it the most played game on our shelf.