Les Explorateurs - Small Horses Game

Small Horses is one of those board games that has been around forever, in one form or another, and there is a very good reason for that: it is exactly the right amount of exciting for a four year old, it takes about twenty minutes, and everyone at the table has a genuine chance of winning right up until the last moment. This version from Moulin Roty's "Les Explorateurs" collection reimagines the classic with explorer horses racing to reach the globe at the end of the track, and it is beautifully made in wood and cardboard in that lovely Moulin Roty way. The kind of game that comes out again and again, long after fancier and more complicated games have been forgotten at the back of the cupboard.

We love it because:

• A genuinely classic game that children understand quickly and want to play repeatedly, which is the real mark of a good one
• The explorer theme and Moulin Roty's beautiful illustration make it feel special and considered, not just another board game
• Wood and cardboard construction that feels lovely to handle and built to last through years of family game nights
• Short enough to play before bed, long enough to feel like a proper game: the sweet spot
• Works for two to four players, so it scales easily from a quiet evening for two to a full family situation
• Makes a wonderful gift that the whole family will actually use, which is always the dream

What's in the box:

• 1 game board
• Wooden playing pieces
• Dice
• Full game rules

Great for:

• Ages 4 and up
• 2 to 4 players
• Family game nights, rainy afternoons, or a quick game before bed
• A birthday gift that gets the whole family involved
• Turn-taking, counting, and learning to win and lose with reasonable grace (an ongoing project for most of us)

Important to know:

• 2 to 4 players
• Dimensions: 31 x 16 cm
• Made from wood and cardboard
• Contains small parts: not suitable for children under 3