Apples to Apples Junior
$14.99
Apples to Apples Junior at a Glance
| Game Type Card Game, Humor, Word | Play Time 30 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Non-Complex Vocabulary |
| Age 9+ | Publisher(s) Mattel | Published 2002 |
| Categories Children's / Family Party / Word Game | Players 4 - 10 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 8/10 | Cost $14.99 approx |
About – Description
Apples to Apples Junior is the game that kids will want to play over and over again! With more than 500 cards, every round is packed full of entertaining comparisons from a wide range of places, people, things and events.
Refreshing and fast-moving, Apples to Apples Junior is simple to pick up and great fun to play. It’s the perfect game for groups of children, families and mixed-age friends with guaranteed laughter from start to finish!
Who’s it best suited for?
Apples to Apples Junior is a game for 4-10 players so it’s ideal for a party with friends and family.
Skill – Complexity
This game has a very simple concept and low complexity. However, children under 9 years old are likely to not have a vocabulary that is quite developed enough for this game, and there is some strategy involved in trying to get the judge on your side too.
Set Up – Playing Rules & Instructions
Setting up
Inside the box you’ll find:
- Red Apple Cards – 749 cards, each featuring the name of a place, person, thing, or event.
- Green Apple Cards – 249 cards, each featuring a characteristic of a person, place, thing, or event.
- Blank Cards – 3 green and 7 red apple cards to write on and personalize your game.
Two Deluxe Card Trays - Quick Play Rules
Setting up the game is very easy indeed – simply open the box, decide who is going to be the “judge” and then deal the red apple cards to each player. Players can look at their cards straight away but they must not show them to anyone else. You’re now ready to go!
Object of the game
Simply carry on playing until one of the players wins four rounds – they then win the game overall.
Playing Instructions
Players take turns being the judge and the judge begins each round by playing a green apple card containing a one-word characteristic such as Scary, Amazing or Chewy. The other players must then look at the red apple cards in their hands and select the one they think is best described by the judge’s card. When everybody’s red apple cards are on the table, players must try to convince the judge that theirs is the best match.
The funny part is hearing all the clever – and less clever – ways that your opponents try to convince the judge to choose a particular card. Give it your best shot, and if the judge chooses your card, you win that round!
Top tips
It’s ok to play a red apple that isn’t perfect. Judges will often choose the most creative, funny or interesting response which can boost your chances of winning. Also, lobbying and “table talk” are encouraged! Players can comment on cards and try to convince the judge to pick a particular card – either their own or a favorite choice.
You may find this video useful!
Versions – Editions
There are a couple of updated editions that came out in 2007 and 2013. Additionally, there are a few variations you can make to the game to keep it interesting.
These include “Apple Turnovers” where you deal five green apple cards to each player at the beginning and “Quick Pick For Four” where players may play one or two red apple cards and only the first four will be judged.
Additionally there’s “Big Apples” where a player boasts that the judge will pick one of their red apple cards and wagers a green apple. If the judge does not pick one of their red apple cards, the wagered cards are forfeited to the bottom of the card deck.
The final two are “Apple Potpourri” – where each player selects a red apple card from their hand before the judge turns over the green apple card – and “2 for 1 Apples” where the judge turns over two green apple cards to start the round instead of one.
Likes & Dislikes
- Age appropriate cards.
- Simple and fun.
- Can play anywhere with less components (travel).
- Many within a group of 4 or more can enjoy this together.
- Great vocabulary builder.
- It’s just a matter of trying it out and if you get along well with it then great.
Apples to Apples Junior is a fast-paced game of fun and hilarity and is great for children with a strong vocabulary who love word games. There is also some strategy involved as kids have to choose what apples they think the judge will like.
A potential downside however is that it tends to assume everyone is aware of current culture. There are a lot of references to Star Wars, Harry Potter and pop singers for instance which may leave some people feeling excluded if they’re not familiar with them.
Final Thoughts
Whilst the concept of Apples to Apples Junior is the same as the adult Apples to Apples version, the words are easier to read and understand so it’s perfect for kids. There also isn’t any words of an adult nature, so no red-faced explaining to do!
The ideal party game for family get-togethers at Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and more, this one is well worth a go. Perfect for a mixture of ages, it’s a game of speed, wit and fun with a little educational element and some strategy thrown in too.
