%2Fpic957777.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
About Hoot Owl Hoot!
Hoot Owl Hoot! is a cooperative first board game by Susan McKinley Ross, published by Peaceable Kingdom. Players play colour cards to fly owls along a rainbow path to their nest, while sun cards push the sunrise closer. All hands are face up, so children can talk through which owl to move and why. There is no reading, and the number of owls sets the difficulty, from three for beginners to six for a real challenge.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Is Hoot Owl Hoot! Right for You?
Best for
Hoot Owl Hoot! is for families with children from around four who are playing their first board games. The colour matching needs no reading, turns take seconds, and hands are face up so everyone can help. It is best at two or three, when children can talk through every move. A game takes about fifteen minutes, which is about right for a preschooler, and the difficulty levels let the same box last a couple of years.
Maybe skip it if…
It is too simple for children over about six, and adults will not play it on their own. The decisions are light, and older players will see the right move at once. The sun cards are pure luck, so some games are lost whatever anyone does.
How to Play Hoot Owl Hoot!
Setup
Place three, four or six owls on the start spaces and the sun token at the start of the sun track. Deal three cards to each player, face up.
On Your Turn
- If you hold a sun card, you must play it and move the sun one space.
- Otherwise, play a colour card and move any owl to the next open space of that colour, flying over owls in the way.
- Draw a card to refill your hand.
How to Win
Everyone wins if all the owls reach the nest before the sun reaches the end of its track.
💡 Strategy Tips
Move the owl at the back first. A colour card usually carries it much further, since it can fly over the owls ahead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Always moving the front owl. Moving the back owl often goes further, because it flies over others.
- Forgetting sun cards must be played. If you hold one, it is your only option that turn.
- Starting with six owls. Begin with three and increase the number only when children win comfortably.
- Deciding for the child. Asking which owl they would move, and why, is the point of the game.
Advanced Strategy
- Look at every owl before choosing. The best move is the one that travels furthest.
- Keep a spread of colours in hands. Players can suggest moves for each other because hands are open.
- Count spaces to the next colour. It teaches counting without feeling like a lesson.
- Celebrate losses as well as wins. The sun winning is part of the game, not a failure.
Variants & House Rules
Beginner, intermediate and challenge levels
Play with three, four or six owls, as the rules suggest. More owls make the race against sunrise much tighter, and moving up a level is a natural reward when children start winning easily.
Video Guides
Loading videos…
Our Verdict
Hoot Owl Hoot! is a gentle first cooperative game that does exactly what it should. It teaches colour matching, turn-taking and planning together without any reading. Because everyone wins or loses together, it avoids the tears that competitive first games can bring. For families with preschoolers, it is an easy recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Hoot Owl Hoot! for?
Four and up, and it works best between about four and six.
Can a child play it with one adult?
Yes. It plays well at two, and the open hands let the adult model good choices.
How do you make it harder?
Add owls. Starting with six instead of three makes it genuinely difficult to beat the sun.