Chicken Cha Cha Cha is one of those games that always gets recommended as a kids' game on Boardgamegeek. Some of the recommendations for kids' games are a bit suspect because they are what people without kids think kids would like. But I am happy to report that Chicken Cha Cha Cha is a game that is actually a perfect kids game: it has colourful and sturdy components, a quick and fun central mechanism that kids can easily manage, and, critically, it plays quickly, so that no one can get bored.

Chicken Cha Cha Cha can be played with anywhere from two to four players, though I think four is the optimal number.

The standout components in the game are the four wooden chickens. They are big, sturdy colourful chickens that serve as your pawns in the game. They're perfect for little and big hands alike. Each chicken has four holes in the back and at the beginning of the game, you place a wooden tail feather in each chicken. The game also comes with twelve hexagon shaped tiles that are placed face down it the middle of the playing area and then 24 egg-shaped tiles that are arranged in a circle around the hexes. The tiles are all made out of thick sturdy cardstock with very colourful illustrations.

The basic mechanism in the game is memory. On your turn, you can proceed clockwise if you can find the facedown hex tile that matches the picture on the next egg tile. So, if there is a worm tile on the next egg and you can tun over an egg from the face down tile, you can advance one space. You keep going until you get one wrong. If you manage to pass one of the other chickens, you get to steal all of his or her tailfeathers. The first player to get all four tailfeathers wins the game.

Although this might not sound exciting or fun to the Caylus and Battlelore players on Boardgamegeek, it is incredibly well suited for kids. Kids have amazing memories and are able to compete very effectively without your help. In fact, you might need their help! The other great thing about this mechanism is that the game pacing sublty increases as the game goes along. At first, the players don't really move much because they need to identify the necessary face down tiles. It takes time to learn where they are. As the game proceeds, though, players remember more and more where the tiles are and are able to go on progressively longer runs before forgetting. The tension and speed appreciate noticeably.

This probably isn't a game you'll be taking out to play with your adult friends after the kids have gone to bed, but it's still reasonably fun for adults. Adults do have to pay attention and play seriously if they are going to have a chance to compete with kids.

The thing I've learned from playing games with my kids is that they have a limited ability to focus on a game. Chicken Cha Cha Cha clocks in at around fifteen to twenty minutes, which is perfect for little ones. Combine this with kid-friendly components and a mechanism that plays to kids' strengths and you have a game that works perfectly for young gamers. I've tried lots of kids' games, but Chicken Cha Cha Cha is probably the best I've played. It is a game that belongs in the collection of any gamer with children.