Backyard, The
© 1993 Brøderbund (The Learning Company)
Six activities are hidden in a backyard scene filled with marching ants, a dancing goldfish, a tic tac toe contest, a musical fence, a skywriting airplane, a sprinkler, and more (see illustration). Children get to search for a treasure using a mechanical digger and map (Sandbox Treasure). This clever activity automatically adjusts in difficulty. They also experiment with faces, while learning about emotional expressions (e.g. disgusted, happy, etc.) by combining eyes, mouths, or noses (Scarecrow). In a "silly faces" option children tinker with mouths, eyes, noses, hats, hair styles and outfits. In another face building activity, 15 fruits or vegetables can be dragged and pasted onto a pumpkin head (Pumpkin Patch). Four "caterpillar tools" allow the items to be flipped, copied, turned, or erased. Children also play with animals -- piecing together scrambled animal silhouettes (Animal Cookies Game), playing an animal body parts board game (Knothole Game) and matching animals to their habitats (The Sticker Book). These activities are designed to compliment two other popular Brøderbund programs -- The Playroom and The Treehouse. This program contains a range of interesting, creative activities that keep children engaged. Both our 4- and 7-year-old testers loved it.
$34.95, Mac
Teaches: science, animal habitats, mapping, matching, creativity