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Official Hi-Ho Cherry-O Rules

Hi-Ho Cherry-O is a classic children's board game that teaches counting, taking turns, and basic math skills. Here are the detailed rules for playing Hi-Ho Cherry-O:

Equipment:

  • Game Board: A circular board with a track and slots for cherries.

  • Cherry Tokens: Plastic or wooden cherries that fit into the slots on the board.

  • Spinner: A spinner with numbers and symbols corresponding to actions.

Setup:

  1. Assemble the Board: Place the game board in the center of the playing area.

  2. Distribute Cherry Tokens: Each player receives a plastic or wooden cherry token to place in their basket on the game board.

  3. Choose a Starting Player: Decide who will start the game. This can be done by any agreed-upon method, such as spinning the spinner or the youngest player going first.

Gameplay:

  1. Taking Turns:

    • Players take turns spinning the spinner and following the instructions indicated by the result.

  2. Actions on the Spinner:

    • Pick 1, 2, or 3 Cherries: Take the corresponding number of cherries from the tree and place them in your basket.

    • Spill: If you have cherries in your basket, return one cherry to the tree. If your basket is empty, your turn ends.

    • Dog, Bird, or Basket: Perform the action indicated (e.g., move one cherry from your basket back to the tree, take one cherry from the tree and put it in your basket, etc.).

  3. Winning the Game:

    • The first player to fill their basket with 10 cherries and return to the starting point wins the game.

Variations:

  1. Race to the Finish:

    • Play until one player fills their basket with a predetermined number of cherries (e.g., 5 or 7) instead of 10.

  2. Team Play:

    • Divide players into teams and take turns spinning the spinner within each team. The first team to fill all their baskets wins.

Hi-Ho Cherry-O is a delightful and educational game for young children that teaches counting, turn-taking, and basic math concepts in a fun and engaging way. It's perfect for family game nights or playdates with friends.

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