Official Candy Land (Candyland) Rules
How To Play Candy Land (Candyland)
2 - 4
Players
3+
Ages
30 MIN
Play Time
$10
Price
Candy Land is a timeless classic board game beloved by children and adults alike. Players embark on a colorful journey through a fantastical land made entirely of sweets and treats, aiming to be the first to reach the Candy Castle. With its vibrant game board featuring sugary landscapes and charming characters, Candy Land captivates players' imaginations from the moment they start their adventure. As they draw colorful cards to advance along the winding path, players encounter whimsical locations like the Peppermint Forest and Gumdrop Mountains, adding to the game's magical charm.
Simple rules and colorful components make Candy Land accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, making it a perfect choice for family game night or playdates. Beyond its entertainment value, Candy Land offers educational benefits, helping young children develop important skills such as color recognition, counting, and turn-taking. With its delightful theme and engaging gameplay, Candy Land has stood the test of time as a cherished classic that continues to bring joy and laughter to generations of players.Are you interested in seeing more games themed like this one? Please check out our list of best toddler board games to see more games that are similar to Candy Land. You'll be sure to find more games that you can learn how to play at your next game night.
- Candy Land was invented by Eleanor Abbott who was recovering from polio.
- The first Candy Land board game sold for $1.
- Over 40 million copies of Candy Land have been produced.
- Candy Land Game Board
- 4 Gingerbread Character Pawns
- 64 Cards (or Color Spinner)
- Official Candy Land Game Rules And Instructions
Be the first player to reach the Candy Castle by landing on the multi-colored rainbow space at the end of the path.
Perparation: Pick a character mover and place it on START.
Game Play: The youngest player goes first. Turns go to the left. Spin the spinner. Where did it stop?
One-color Block: Move your character to the NEXT space that matches this color.
Two-color Block: Move your character to the SECOND SPACE that matches this color.
Picture Space: Move your character (forward or back) to the space matching the picture.
Rules of the Rainbow Path:
If you land on a licorice square, you lose your next turn. If you land on either one of these, take the shortcut to the other side of the pass. If you land on an occupied color space, go to the next space of the same color. If you land on an occupied picture space, spin again.
Special Rules for Younger Players:
If the spinner lands on a picture space that’s behind you on the path, don’t move backward, and SPIN AGAIN!
Please keep in mind that the official Candy Land PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
Game Play: The youngest player goes first. Turns go to the left. Spin the spinner. Where did it stop?
One-color Block: Move your character to the NEXT space that matches this color.
Two-color Block: Move your character to the SECOND SPACE that matches this color.
Picture Space: Move your character (forward or back) to the space matching the picture.
Rules of the Rainbow Path:
If you land on a licorice square, you lose your next turn. If you land on either one of these, take the shortcut to the other side of the pass. If you land on an occupied color space, go to the next space of the same color. If you land on an occupied picture space, spin again.
Special Rules for Younger Players:
If the spinner lands on a picture space that’s behind you on the path, don’t move backward, and SPIN AGAIN!
Please keep in mind that the official Candy Land PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
- Candy Land Game Rules PDF
- Candy Land 2003 Game Rules PDF
- Candy Land 2004 Game Rules PDF
- Candy Land Bingo Game Rules PDF
- Candy Land DVD Game Rules PDF
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions, etc. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
K W says:
If you land by exact count on a black dotted space, with the appropriate color, do you still have to stay there until you pick an appropriate colored card to release you? Or do you get to bypass the “black dot” space because you had a double color card?
10-10-2024
If you land by exact count on a black dotted space, with the appropriate color, do you still have to stay there until you pick an appropriate colored card to release you? Or do you get to bypass the “black dot” space because you had a double color card?
Anne says:
If you get a double red card and you approach the rainbow trail can you cross over with the first red square and proceed to the next red space on the other side? Some players say you can't cross over and have to move just two red spaces.
11-16-2018
If you get a double red card and you approach the rainbow trail can you cross over with the first red square and proceed to the next red space on the other side? Some players say you can't cross over and have to move just two red spaces.
matt says:
does the picture space have a color? they clearly have colors but the directions just differentiate between picture spaces and color spaces. when you get a color on the spinner are the picture spaces counted? they do have colors. im in a rage
11-10-2018
does the picture space have a color? they clearly have colors but the directions just differentiate between picture spaces and color spaces. when you get a color on the spinner are the picture spaces counted? they do have colors. im in a rage
Dude111 says:
They have totally destroyed this game..... The board looks aweful now.... It started being ruined in the 80s! Im glad I have th 1978 version! (LAst GOOD/original version)
06-22-2018
They have totally destroyed this game..... The board looks aweful now.... It started being ruined in the 80s! Im glad I have th 1978 version! (LAst GOOD/original version)
JJ says:
So if you are stuck in a swamp "stay here until a blue card is drawn", i know you don't get to move forward until you get a blue card, but do you get forward or backward with a candy specific card like the lollipop card?
01-17-2018
So if you are stuck in a swamp "stay here until a blue card is drawn", i know you don't get to move forward until you get a blue card, but do you get forward or backward with a candy specific card like the lollipop card?
Monica Tracey says:
You can get any color to win the game but in the new game my daughter lost directions and I just want to know if the x means move back a color and the arrow means move up a color well the color that you have
12-25-2017
You can get any color to win the game but in the new game my daughter lost directions and I just want to know if the x means move back a color and the arrow means move up a color well the color that you have
Betty Cowart says:
We have the new game with the spinner. What does the square with the x mean and how does the game end? We have lost the instructions.
05-24-2017
We have the new game with the spinner. What does the square with the x mean and how does the game end? We have lost the instructions.
Lisa says:
Yes, if you get a single color in the rainbow, you win. Yes, the instructions didn't explain this correctly. I had to search a bunch of sights to find this out.
03-09-2017
Yes, if you get a single color in the rainbow, you win. Yes, the instructions didn't explain this correctly. I had to search a bunch of sights to find this out.
Crystal says:
If a space is occupied, can you jump to the next space of the same color? I lost the instruction sheet to my Candy Land Item A4813 and I forgot if you can do this in this version.
03-20-2016
If a space is occupied, can you jump to the next space of the same color? I lost the instruction sheet to my Candy Land Item A4813 and I forgot if you can do this in this version.
Ceaser says:
Ifnif you land on the x dosnt that mean you have to move one space back
12-18-2015
Ifnif you land on the x dosnt that mean you have to move one space back
Jack says:
When you both land on the last square which is the rainbow, how do you determine what color of spin allows you to enter the castle?
05-19-2015
When you both land on the last square which is the rainbow, how do you determine what color of spin allows you to enter the castle?
Christine says:
How does this game end??? This is not a good way of teaching our kids to win the right way. so where is the rule that tells you who won ??
01-26-2014
How does this game end??? This is not a good way of teaching our kids to win the right way. so where is the rule that tells you who won ??
Kaleigh says:
Does anyone have a new candy land with a spinner? What does it mean when it has an x on the color you land on
12-28-2013
Does anyone have a new candy land with a spinner? What does it mean when it has an x on the color you land on
faith says:
i forget how to play and i want to know and i also queen frostine i i almost win at every game but i sometimes loose and that is not fair and i..... just want to say thanks for making candyland
11-23-2013
i forget how to play and i want to know and i also queen frostine i i almost win at every game but i sometimes loose and that is not fair and i..... just want to say thanks for making candyland
Jamie says:
I like playing this with my kids and they love to make up their own rules every time we play. Their way of how to play Candyland even changes during the game but they still have fun.
10-17-2013
I like playing this with my kids and they love to make up their own rules every time we play. Their way of how to play Candyland even changes during the game but they still have fun.
rainbow says:
im makin ah qame called jollyland and need advice
11-14-2011
im makin ah qame called jollyland and need advice
Riana says:
I agree with Phyllis on 11/15/2009 exactly how do you get to the multi-colored rainbow square? I'm guessing any color card with one square/move will win the game.
02-08-2011
I agree with Phyllis on 11/15/2009 exactly how do you get to the multi-colored rainbow square? I'm guessing any color card with one square/move will win the game.
hi says:
I love this game even tho I'm a youth. P.S. Some people say my name isn't possible, but my dad, granddad, great-granddad, and great-great-granddad were all named hi
05-24-2010
I love this game even tho I'm a youth. P.S. Some people say my name isn't possible, but my dad, granddad, great-granddad, and great-great-granddad were all named hi
Kacie Ann Carde says:
i love this game i have always played it when i was lil
03-30-2010
i love this game i have always played it when i was lil
david says:
I agree with Phyllis. Something is missing in the 2004 instructions. There's no way to end the game.
12-15-2009
I agree with Phyllis. Something is missing in the 2004 instructions. There's no way to end the game.
Phyllis says:
It says in the 2004 rules that the first person to reach the multi-colored rainbow space wins. How do you get to the multi-colored rainbow space; is there supposed to be a card for this or is it just any card that will win the game?
11-15-2009
It says in the 2004 rules that the first person to reach the multi-colored rainbow space wins. How do you get to the multi-colored rainbow space; is there supposed to be a card for this or is it just any card that will win the game?
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