Once your kids have mastered Halli Galli Jr., and are able to comfortably count quantities of 5 or less, they are ready for Halli Galli. In this version of the game, each card depicts between 1 and 5 bananas, strawberries, lemons, or plums. When you see a total of 5 of a kind on all the visible cards, you race to ring the bell. I really liked how the kids were instantly familiar with the basic concept by having played Halli Galli, Jr. so much, and could get right into a speed counting game that might otherwise have been intimidating.

In an unknown language, Halli Galli means, a large fruit salad with bananas, strawberries, lemons and plums. Each player plays a card changing the mixture in the salad. But when the salad contains exactly 5 of one fruit, the players race to be the first to ring the bell. The fastest wins all face up cards... and the game continues until only one player has cards left -- that player is the winner! A fast-paced and thrilling party game for young and old!

You need only two things to play this game: fast counting skills and quick hands. A little brains will help too, but that's optional.

There are 4 different fruits in Halli Galli. Each card has anywhere between 1 and 5 fruits showing on the card. There is a bell in the middle, and each player flips over his/her card in front of him/her. When the total number of fruits showing is 5 for any given fruit, then the first person to ring the bell takes all the cards played. This game should be played fast.

My children and their friends love this game. I often bring it to our math co-op (sort of a math club for pre-school and elementary-aged kids), and I have to hide it until halfway through the co-op, because if I take it out, nothing else gets played with.

Others have explained what the game is about, so I will just add what is meaningful to my family.

One great thing about Halli Galli is that it is easy to learn. When there is a group of children, and some want to enter a game late, it is easy for the child with the most cards to hand a few over to the new person, for the children to teach the new child, and for everyone to just keep going without a lot of explanation or help from an adult. Another great thing is the bell. What child wouldn't love the chance to ring a great bell? It's also a great way for children to become quicker with math facts. Children don't just learn how to add to five. They also learn to add to other numbers and figure out what's NOT five.

The colors and design of the cards are appealing to children and adults. I enjoy the game too, but I find that I am often just too quick for my children, so I would rather see them play with their friends.

Definitely one of the top games in our house.

A fun game to do with your children, just counting 5 of the same fruit pieces and pressing as quick as you can on the bell. A violent game when playing with adults, bruising your hand can be a common problem when trying to reach the bell as the first one. Not a game to play the whole night.