I bought this for my son as a first game, and I've played it with him, as well as his younger sister, who is now 4 years old.  I cringe every time they want to play this game.  The board is so busy looking, and the slides cover squares that you need to count as you land on or pass by.  It's confusing to kids about which way they're to go on the board (first they go left, then they go up, then they go right, etc.)  I constantly have to help them count squares that are covered over by the slides, et al, tell them which direction to go, etc.  This is not one of the best counting games out there.  Try Hi Ho Cherry-O.  MUCH better game!