How it plays
Taking turns, each player turns over the top card of their pile, places it in the middle and counts aloud: “one avocado”, “two avocados” and so on up to 15, then back down again. Everyone slaps the middle as soon as the card shows the number just called, has as many avocados as the previous card, is a Smash card or is the second direction-change card in a row. Whoever reacts last or slaps by mistake takes the cards in the middle. When the Guacamole card appears, players shout instead of slapping. The winner is whoever has no cards left and survives the next Smash or Guacamole.
What it can help develop
Every card asks the same question: slap or hold still? This resembles a go/no-go task and above all calls for reaction speed. Anyone who counts aloud while watching for two kinds of match divides their attention under time pressure and keeps the number and counting direction in working memory. The Guacamole card is a particular test of impulse control: the hand wants to slap but has to stay where it is. Counting up and down is also a chance to practice numbers up to 15.
Especially suitable for
- Children from age 6 who are practicing counting to 15
- Lively family groups who love speed
- On trips and on vacation, thanks to the compact packaging of the edition reviewed
Less suitable for
- Children who are not yet confident counting down
- Noise-sensitive children and quiet evenings
Our verdict
Avocado Smash suits lively family groups with children from age 6 who enjoy handling numbers up to 15 and like speed. The compact packaging of the edition reviewed is suitable for trips. The few customer comments shown by the manufacturer are enthusiastic and report a lot of laughter. Its limitations are that anyone who still stumbles when counting down or does not cope well with noise will find it hard to keep up.
Getting started
- Clarify the four reasons to smash beforehand: the card shows the number called, it has as many avocados as the card before, a Smash card turns up or two direction-change cards follow each other.
- Show the Guacamole card beforehand: players then shout instead of slapping, and anyone who slaps by mistake loses the round.
- For more of a challenge, use the special rules for Smash pros, in which, among other things, a double smash has no consequences.
In detail
Variants and player count
The Game Factory edition is bilingual, in German and French, and intended for 2 or more people from age 6. It contains 70 cards, including 4 direction-change cards, 4 Smash cards and 2 Guacamole cards. Players count up to 15 and then back down, in German “eine Avocado”, “zwei Avocados” and so on, in French “un avocat”, “deux avocats”. There are special rules for Smash experts: after a change of direction, players count backwards straight away, and a double Smash has no effect. Whoever is first to get rid of all their cards still has to survive the last Smash: the game ends with the next Smash or Guacamole card, and several people can win. The packaging of that edition is shaped like an avocado, and Ridley’s Games also offers a boxed edition.
What reviewers say
No independent review of Avocado Smash is listed. The manufacturer, Ridley’s Games, calls Avocado Smash a fresh take on the card game Snap. Its website has two customer reviews, which call the game loud, silly and competitive and report a lot of laughter.
How it compares
Spot It! (from age 6, 2 to 8 people, about 15 minutes), like Avocado Smash, calls for perception and speed: players search visually for the matching symbol and name it under time pressure. Spot It! suits children from age 6 who like to look closely, and is less suited to children who quickly lose interest under time pressure. Jungle Speed (from age 7, 2 to 10 people, about 15 minutes) also calls for perception and speed as well as impulse control and, like Avocado Smash, resembles a go/no-go task: grab or keep still. Jungle Speed is suitable for children from age 7 and teenagers who love speed, even in large groups of up to ten people, and less suitable for children who are quickly overwhelmed by hustle and noise. Avocado Smash, by contrast, has players counting up to 15 and back down; it suits children from age 6 who are practicing counting, and is less suited to children who cannot yet count backwards confidently.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What age is Avocado Smash suitable for?
Avocado Smash is recommended from age 6. A child is ready when they can count confidently up to 15 and back down again, and can keep their slapping hand in check. Anyone who is still unsure when counting down needs more time at first.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 10 minutes. The game is for 2 or more people, who play against each other. The winner is whoever runs out of cards and then survives the next Smash or the next Guacamole; there can be several winners.
What skills can Avocado Smash help develop?
The skills profile lists perception and speed, impulse control as well as numbers and arithmetic. Counting up and down is a chance to practice numbers up to 15, and with the Guacamole card players call out instead of slapping, so the hand has to keep still.
Is Avocado Smash noisy?
Yes, things get lively: everyone counts aloud, slaps the middle and shouts when the Guacamole card appears. Anyone looking for peace and quiet or sensitive to noise will be less happy with it.
