The board consists of a winding, linear track made of 134 spaces, most of which are one of the rainbow colors (aside from indigo). The race is straightforward, woven around a simple story line about finding the lost king of Candyland. It has become a cultural icon in the U.S., where it is often the first board game played by children because it requires no ability to read and only minimal counting skills.
In a world filled with advanced technology and fads that are quick to fade, the sweet simplicity of this classic game keeps it continually popular, even after more than half a century.Ĭandy Land is a simple racing board game. To date, its distinctive red-and-white peppermint name has been printed on well over 40 million games. The theme and its simple color matching play were a perfect fit for all-family play.Īt the time, few could have comprehended just what an impact the game would have, both on the Springfield, Massachusetts game manufacturer and on generations of children. “A sweet little game … for sweet little folks,” as its packaging proudly stated for almost 30 years, would soon become an enduring part of our collective childhood. The advertising said it fulfilled “the sweet tooth yearning of the younger set without the tummy ache aftereffects.” The first CANDY LAND games were sold for only $1.00. So she submitted her board game to MILTON BRADLEY, who enthusiastically accepted it, and in 1949 a new game called CANDY LAND was introduced. Abbott decided to create an activity that would entertain children who were also affected with the disease.
Once upon a time… in San Diego, California, a woman named Eleanor Abbott created a game. The history of Candy Land (from the Hasbro website): A place to celebrate everyone's favorite 1st game! A sweet little game for sweet little folks.