First, players can choose to ignore any cards that would send them backwards. In the 2004 version of the game, a number of changes were made. If you land on any of these spaces by exact count, you’ll be stuck there until you draw a card of a certain color. Shortcuts include Gumdrop Pass and Rainbow Trail, and landing on these spaces by exact count will allow you to take the provided shortcut.Ĭandy Land contains three penalty spaces labeled Gooey Gumdrops, Lollipop Woods, and Molasses Swamp. In addition to game cards, you also need to be aware of shortcuts and penalty spaces. Two Color Blocks – If your card has two color blocks on it, move your game piece forward to the second space that matches the color of the card. One Color Block – If your card has one color block on it, move your game piece forward to the first space that matches the color. This may result in your piece moving backwards. Picture Cards – If you draw a card with a picture on it, you must move your playing piece to the corresponding space on the board. There are three types of cards that can be drawn: Drawn cards should be placed face-up to form a discard pile. Once this occurs, the player’s turn is over and the next player takes their turn. On a player’s turn, they draw the top card from the face-down pile and move to the space indicated on the card (note that two player pieces can occupy the same space). The youngest player gets to go first, with play moving to the left. Candy Land RulesĪccording to the Candy Land rules, the game begins with each player selecting a gingerbread man playing piece and placing it on the space marked “start.” The deck of cards should be shuffled and placed face-down off the board but within easy reach of all players.
When this occurs, the game ends and players are encouraged to celebrate by eating some real-life candy (or possibly a more nutritious treat). In order to win, you’ll need to advance your gingerbread man across the board until you reach the Candy Castle. There are four playing pieces shaped like gingerbread men, as well as 64 cards. The classic version of Candy Land comes with a colorful game board that includes areas such as the Gumdrop Mountains, Molasses Swamp, and Peanut Brittle House.
The exception is the 2004 version, which started implementing changes to make the game move faster. While the game has underwent marketing changes in regards to art and the names of in-game places and characters, the rules aren’t much different from what you remember as a child. The Candy Land instruction have remained largely unchanged over the years. I’ll also cover Candy Land strategy, or the lack thereof. This article covers the Candy Land rules, so you’ll learn everything you need to know in order to open the box and start playing.
I also remember that learning how to play Candy Land was a snap, something you’re about to discover for yourself. Still, I do recall that it was a favored game before I was old enough to read or write, and the fact that new generations of kids are still thrilling to the brightly-colored board fills me with a sense of nostalgia. I remember being fascinated with the picture of Molasses Swamp as a child, although many of my other memories of Candy Land have dimmed over the decades.