If, while tapping out a block, a player causes the figure to fall through the ice, they are eliminated from the game and a new round is started using a “re-iced” game board. Released in 1969 by Schaper, Don’t Break the Ice is a tabletop game for two to four players, ages 3 to 10.

If playing with 2 players the player who did not knock the animal from the board wins, and if playing with more than 2 players the winner is the player who is the last one not to get eliminated. The object of this classic game is to keep Phillip the Penguin on top of the ice, but as the game goes on, the ice blocks start falling. My two oldest boys love playing this game and think it’s ridiculously entertaining to smack the bejesus out of the thing. The assumed correct game setup is to put the large ice block in the center of the tray, but this is incorrect.Keep in mind that anyone can view public collections - they may also appear in recommendations and other places. The remaining blocks surround it and are pressed tightly together so when the tray is turned over all the blocks remain held up. Through the 1960’s, toy company Schaper had a number of games to their credit: Don’t Break the Ice, Don’t Spill the Beans, Ants in the Pants, Cootie and Voodoo among them. As he carefully navigates the ins and outs of parenting, he does his very best to bestow what wisdom he has and help nurture his children's young minds.

The game overall is in good condition, if you need better pictures message me and I can usually do this right away. I had such fond memories of the game that I decided to borrow the game from the library for my kids. The only difference that I have found is my game involved saving a polar bear from his inevitable dunk in the icy water, and the new game has an adorable penguin named Phillip. In a 3 or more player game, the player who caused the polar bear to fall is out of the game for the next round.

Always read labels, warnings, directions and other information provided with the product before using it. Our resources are jam-packed with goodness and sometimes that means the download may take a few moments longer than you expected. The stand is turned upside down and the ice blocks placed into the frame, so that the "shared" uniform compression of the blocks pressed against each other will cause them to stay in place when the stand is turned upright. My youngest enlists the help of his older brothers and parents whenever the ice needs to be reformed.

But, if you have kids and are looking for a game that is straight forward, fun, and very interactive, then Don’t Break the Ice is for you. If you’re looking to add a gross motor twist to this game, which I always am, create an age appropriate obstacle course and have your kiddo move one ice cube at a time from the start of the course to the end before they’re able to complete the game board. Part nostalgia for a time in my life when games were very straight forward and part reckless abandonment. It requires a good pincer grasp as well as bilateral coordination (using both hands in unison) to be able to properly set up the board. Gift Pairing Idea: Pair this Don’t Break the Ice Game with an Emperor Penguin Mini Puzzle by Mudpuppy (48-piece puzzle) for a cute penguin-themed gift set.First marketed by Schaper Toys in 1968, the game was sold to Hasbro subsidiary Milton Bradley in 1986. If you’ve already done that, your item hasn’t arrived, or it’s not as described, you can report that to Etsy by opening a case.