The Ladybug Game
The Ladybug Game Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Object
To be the first player to move your Ladybug from the START space to the HOME space.
Contents
Gameboard • 4 Ladybug pawns and stands • 61 Aphid chips • 38 Ladybug cards (33 Moving cards, 5 Aphid cards) • 8 Praying Mantis passes
The First Time You Play
Detach the Ladybug pawns and Aphid chips from their sheet. Fit each Ladybug pawn into a stand.
Get Ready
- Shuffle the Ladybug cards and place them face down within easy reach of all players. Keep the Praying Mantis Passes in a separate pile nearby.
- Place all the Aphid chips inside the open box.
- Each player chooses a Ladybug and places it on the START space.
Game Play
- The youngest player goes first. Play then continues to the left.
- On your turn, draw one Ladybug card and do as it says.
Ladybug Cards
- "Move Ahead" card: When you draw a "Move Ahead" card, move ahead the number of spaces on the card. (Example card: Move Ahead 2 Spaces.)
- "Go Back" card: When you draw a "Go Back" card, go backwards the number of spaces on the card. (Example card: Go Back 1 Space, with the "Go Again" Ladybug icon.)
- "Aphid" card: When you draw an "Aphid" card, you get to collect the number of Aphids (chips) on the card. You do not move after drawing an Aphid card. (Example card: You Get +3.)
- "Go Again" Ladybug icon: When you see the Ladybug on the bottom of the card, you may pick another card and continue your turn.
Your turn is over after you pick a card (WITHOUT a "Go Again") and either collect your Aphids or move your Ladybug. Place each used card in a discard pile.
Special Spaces on the Board
The gameboard has both Aphid spaces and Move spaces similar to the Ladybug cards. If you land on one of these spaces OR on a "Lose A Turn" space, just do as it says.
"Rose Bush Branch" Space
If you land on the space with the Rose Bush Branch, you get to slide across the branch to pass the praying mantis and collect Aphids at the end.
"Praying Mantis" Space
- Each player must stop at the Praying Mantis, even if you draw a higher number.
- If you landed on a Praying Mantis Pass space earlier and have a Praying Mantis Pass, you may tell the Mantis to "Bug Off!" and continue your journey by drawing another Ladybug card. If you do not have a Praying Mantis Pass, you must return to the start.
- If you have already passed the Praying Mantis but have to go backwards, you must give the Mantis another pass or go back to the START as before.
"Praying Mantis Pass" Space
When you land on this space, you get a Praying Mantis Pass.
"Ants" Space
- Each player must also stop at the Ants, even if you draw a higher number.
- If you have 10 Aphids, you may give them to the Ants and continue on your journey by drawing another Ladybug card. If you do not have 10 Aphids, you must wait until your next turn then loop around until you collect 10 Aphids for the Ants.
- Every time you get to the Ants you must stop, regardless of the number of spaces that your card says to move.
- If you have already passed the Ants but have to go backwards, you must again give the Ants 10 Aphids to continue.
The "Ants" space shows the instruction: Give the Ants 10 Aphids or Go Back this way.
How to Win
The first player to reach the HOME space wins the game. You must land exactly on the HOME space to win.
Special Optional Rule for Younger Players
For younger children, we suggest an alternative rule: A player does not need to draw the exact number to land on the HOME space and win the game.