How it plays
Each card shows a clown; in each color there are several happy clowns and one sad one without a hat. Taking turns, players turn over the top card of their pile and place it face up in front of them. If two face-up piles show happy clowns of the same color, everyone hits the bell; the fastest hand wins all the face-up cards. If one of the two is sad, the pair does not count: anyone who rings anyway gives every other player a card. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins.
What it can help develop
With every card, children compare the colors of the visible clowns in a flash. When a pair appears, the hand is drawn to the bell, but first the eyes have to check: are both smiling, are both wearing a hat? This go/no-go situation calls for inhibition, that is, holding back a strong impulse. Because happy and sad clowns differ only slightly, fine visual discrimination and selective attention are needed. Ringing by mistake immediately costs cards; this is how children practice weighing speed against accuracy.
Especially suitable for
- Children from age 4: colors instead of counting
- Impulsive children who need to practice waiting
- Short games for a spare moment, including with two players
Less suitable for
- Children who are sensitive to noise: the bell is loud
- Children who quickly get frustrated when things get hectic
Our verdict
Halli Galli Circus is a worthwhile choice for families with four-year-olds who are looking for a fast reaction game without arithmetic. It uses colors instead of numbers, the German edition received the “spiel gut” seal in 2010, and anyone who rings too soon learns to wait. Its limitations are the loud bell, which bothers children who are sensitive to noise, and the hectic pace, which quickly frustrates some children.
Getting started
- Show the sad clown beforehand: it is the only one of each color without a hat.
- Before the first game, make clear that anyone who rings by mistake has to give every other player a card.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to the German page of Amigo, the German edition has 56 cards and a bell; the game idea is by Haim Shafir, the graphics by Oliver Freudenreich. The current German rules (version 3.0) give 2 to 4 people from age 4 and about 15 minutes. Each player places the top card face up in front of their own pile. Players ring for two happy clowns of the same color, but not if one of them is sad; according to the rules, happy and sad clowns differ only slightly. Whoever rings fastest wins all the discard piles, and whoever rings by mistake gives every other player one card. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins. According to Wikipedia, players count in the original Halli Galli, looking for exactly five of the same fruit; in Halli Galli Circus, they ring for two clowns of the same color. According to the French rules from Amigo, an older edition from 1997 had 54 cards and nine colors.
What reviewers say
Reich der Spiele (Mareike Schöbel, 2013) reviews the edition with the little raven Socke, which has the same rules as the edition described above, and writes that the fast reaction game is great fun even for young players. According to the “spiel gut” website, the German edition received the seal in 2010 (with 54 clown cards at the time); the assessment says that young beginners have to concentrate, look closely and react quickly. No further review is listed.
How it compares
Halli Galli (from age 6, 2 to 6 people, about 15 minutes) shares impulse control as well as perception and speed and the playing time with Halli Galli Circus (from age 4, 2 to 4 people, about 15 minutes). The profile of Halli Galli also includes numbers and arithmetic. Taco Kitten Pizza (from age 4, 2 to 6 people, about 5 minutes) has the same minimum age and the same two skill areas as Halli Galli Circus, impulse control as well as perception and speed. Taco Kitten Pizza is shorter, however, and allows more players.
Sources
- Amigo: Halli Galli Junior (publisher’s page, in German)
- Amigo: Halli Galli Junior rules (PDF, version 3.0, in German)
- Amigo: older French rules for Halli Galli Junior (PDF, 1997, in French)
- spiel gut: Halli Galli Junior (2010 seal, in German)
- Reich der Spiele: Halli Galli Junior (review, in German)
- Wikipedia (German): Halli Galli
Frequently asked questions
What age is Halli Galli Circus suitable for?
Halli Galli Circus is recommended from age 4; the “spiel gut” seal for the German edition recommends ages 4 to 10. A child who recognizes colors reliably and can concentrate is ready. Children who are sensitive to noise or quickly frustrated when things get hectic are less well served.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 15 minutes. The game is for 2 to 4 people, who play against each other, and it also works with two. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins; this suits short games for a spare moment.
What skills can Halli Galli Circus help develop?
It can help develop impulse control as well as perception and speed. Because happy and sad clowns differ only slightly, the eyes have to check before the hand shoots to the bell; anyone who rings too soon has to give away cards.
Do you need to be able to count?
No, it is enough to tell colors apart: players ring for two happy clowns of the same color, but not if one of them is sad. In the original Halli Galli, by contrast, players count, looking for exactly five of the same fruit.
