Antique McLoughlin Bros. Game of Leap Frog

The antique Game of Leap Frog by McLoughlin Bros. was published in the mid and late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The game box shown depicts three boys, dressed to the age, playing an outdoor game of Leap Frog.  This jumping and fun activity is brought to the game board and is nicely displayed inside.  It is a game mixed with strategy and chance.

The brightly colored game board rests in the box bottom and depicts five jumpy and adorable frogs within its ringed pathway.  Some of these frogs are shown in waistcoats and one of them reminds me of Mr. Toad from The Wind in the Willows.  Outside the game’s round path (numbered one to twenty-four), are images of ivy plants, lily pads, and cattails growing from a pond.  Moving around the board shares an example of the beautifully illustrated games that McLoughlin Bros. is known for.

The game is played by two players.  Each player is in control of four ‘frogs’.  Starting side by side, one for each player on the numbered spaces of 1 thru 4, players begin. They take turns spinning the spinner that is numbered one thru eight and also shows outlines of frogs on each of its numbers.  After spinning the arrow, the player can choose the number, at either end of the arrow, to move any one of his frogs on the board.  This option allows a player to use a bit of strategy.  He must choose which number and which frog is best to move.

The object of the game is to be the first player to capture all four of his opponent’s frogs.  A capture is made by leaping over a frog with a crowned frog.  An uncrowned frog cannot capture.

To crown a frog, a player must complete an entire round on the game board with his piece.  When a player reaches the space 24 marked on the ringed board, he receives another game piece to place on top of his frog.  This frog is now considered crowned.  If at any time a crowned frog leaps over his opponent’s frog by going beyond it by just one space, the leaped frog is captured and removed from the board.

If two frogs of the same color occupy the same space and are leaped over, they cannot be captured.  More than two uncrowned frogs cannot be on a space.  Players enjoy spinning the arrow and leaping around the game board in attempts to capture all of his opponent’s frogs.  It is a fun outdoor and indoor activity!

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