After a lovely late summer, it finally seems to be here... bad weather is predicted for Sunday. So, it's a perfect time to play a game with the kids, and we just happen to have a new game at home. Even more fun!

However, the predicted autumn weather is delayed, and the sun is very inviting. So, let's go outside. The game can wait another day... although it's very enticing on the kitchen table.

Fortunately, the wait is rewarded. It's raining on Monday!!!

After lunch, during "our-hour" (the two youngest children are in bed and the oldest is at school), Nieke asks if we're going to play the caterpillar game. Rondovario it is! As far as I'm concerned, it's a perfect moment for some special "big-girl attention."

Fortunately, the game description is clear and simple, so we can start quickly. The story that serves as an introduction to the game is very funny and immediately gives the game a "head and tail." The caterpillars (4 lacing cords) get new clothes (beads), but since the choice is very large, it is decided to roll the dice for the clothing. One die indicates the color of the clothing and the other die the shape. The caterpillar that is the first to have 6 pieces of clothing wins.

Nieke immediately gets into the game and can execute it smoothly. The combination of color and shape recognition and lacing means she is "challenged" on different levels, and this almost 4-year-old (!) young lady really likes it. Of course, she wins, which also increases the fun of playing.

Because the game doesn't last too long, she stays well-focused on the game, but for me as a mother, that also has a clear advantage... Now I can give the children special attention "in between" without spending an hour and often a lot of child frustration. You can easily limit this child frustration with Rondo Vario anyway. For example, if you play the game with two people, the one who starts will always win. This way, as a mother, I can keep the atmosphere a bit by, for example, making sure a child wins again after a loss. That significantly increases the fun of playing!!!

After Nieke has dressed her caterpillar multiple times, she enjoys playing "freely" with the caterpillars for a while. She decides she wants to dress a caterpillar with only squares... with full conviction, she then grabs a triangle... oh well, she's only 3, so that shouldn't spoil the fun.

Of course, while playing Rondo Vario, the gears in my therapist's brain also immediately started "turning." All sorts of variations of this game flew through my head. For example, you can also let touch play a role in this game. With a little "craftsmanship" and domestic skill, you can sew 6 colored bags, or you can ask a handy neighbor or mother for help... In these bags, you can sort the beads by color. When the dice now indicate that you can choose a red square as a piece of clothing, you put your hand in the red bag. Feeling your way, you then look for the square. Another variation is the use of an hourglass. This limits the "search time," which increases the competitive element. In addition to all sorts of own variations, the manual also describes some variations for both young and older children. So, this game won't get boring anytime soon.

As far as Nieke is concerned, all these variations are not yet necessary... she is still having an excellent time with the caterpillars and their clothes. As soon as her big brother comes home from school, the game will be played again. He also likes it... he even suggests playing it with a school friend when she comes over on Wednesday afternoon. In the coming time, a lot of clothes will be "shopped" at our house, and as a "real woman," I find that very funny, of course... ;)