Squirrels Go Nuts
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Winter is coming, and four squirrels need to hide their acorns. You slide them, they drop them — but only in the right order.
What it's about
Slide the squirrels and hide the acorns
Squirrels Go Nuts! is the solo puzzle game by Raf Peeters for SmartGames. Winter is coming and the squirrels must secure their acorns by hiding them in the holes in the ground. It looks like an autumn scene, but it's a puzzle that makes your brain work.
You play by sliding the squirrels across the board, horizontally and vertically. Each squirrel carries an acorn and drops it when passing over an empty hole. The trick is the order: once a hole is filled, the other squirrels slide over it without losing their acorn. Getting the sequence wrong means getting stuck.
Sixty challenges of increasing difficulty, from 6-year-olds to experts — the most difficult ones require dozens of moves. In Squirrels Go Nuts! there's no luck or dice: just logic, planning, and spatial intuition. The portable case with a lid makes it perfect to take anywhere.
The twist is all in the order: fill the right hole first and it becomes a safe passage for the others. Get the sequence wrong and an acorn drops where it shouldn't.
The secret of Squirrels Go Nuts! in one line
It seems like a "random" sliding game, but it's solved with logic: you look at where the holes and acorns are, figure out who goes where, then plan your moves. Sweet on the outside, cunning on the inside.
From the gaming experience
Squirrels Go Nuts!
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, official SmartGames materials, and play sessionsIn the forest
What you move in each challenge
The squirrels
They slide horizontally and vertically. Each carries an acorn and drops it when passing over an empty hole.
The acorns
The treasure to secure for winter. Each hole can only hold one: the order in which you hide them is everything.
The holes in the ground
The dens where the acorns end up. Once filled, a hole becomes a safe passage for others to slide over.
The fixed flower
In some challenges, a non-moving piece appears and covers a hole, forcing you to rethink the entire path.
An autumn afternoon, ten minutes, and the last acorn disappearing into the right hole at just the right time. It always happens with Squirrels Go Nuts!
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Components4 elements · 4 squirrels, 5 acorns
A five-stage challenge
What happens when you play
Not the rules. The experience.
Choose your next challenge
Open the booklet and choose a number between 1 and 60. The first few use only 2 or 3 squirrels to warm you up; the more advanced ones put all four into play and require dozens of moves.
Set up the forest
Position squirrels and acorns exactly as the card shows. You look at where the holes in the ground are and realize there's only one way to hide them all — you just have to find it.
The first slide
Slide a squirrel: it passes over a hole and — plop — its acorn disappears underground. Satisfying. Then you try with the second and realize its path is blocked.
The "ah, the order!" moment
You understand the trick: first fill the middle hole, and that becomes a safe passageway. Now the blocked squirrel slides over it safely and reaches its own. The sequence was everything.
All acorns safe
The last squirrel drops its acorn: challenge solved, winter ready. A moment of satisfaction — and your eye is already on the next number. "Just one more."
How to play
Four steps for each challenge
Learn in a minute, play for hours. No rules to remember: just logic, planning, and the right order of moves.
Among the 60 available, from beginner to expert level. Each is a self-contained puzzle with only one correct solution.
Place squirrels and acorns on the board as shown on the challenge card.
Slide the squirrels horizontally and vertically: passing over an empty hole, they drop their acorn.
The challenge is solved when each squirrel has dropped its acorn into a hole. Winter ready!
Why it works so well
Six things that make it special
Order truly matters
The twist that makes it unique: once filled, a hole becomes a safe passageway. Choosing the right sequence to hide the acorns is the core of every challenge.
The blocking flower
In many challenges, a fixed piece covers a hole and cannot be moved: this forces you to look for alternative paths and raises the bar for reasoning.
60 progressive challenges
It starts with 2-3 squirrels and progresses to solutions of dozens of moves with all four. A curve that accompanies both those starting at 6 years old and adults.
Logic, not trial and error
First, you analyze the position of holes and acorns, understand who goes where, then you plan. Concentration, problem solving, and spatial intuition with every game.
One solution, zero luck
No dice, no chance: every challenge has a unique correct solution. When you find it, it's because you've thought it through completely.
Designed by Raf Peeters, travel-friendly
A classic SmartGames designed by the renowned author, in a compact case with a transparent lid. All pieces stay in place: ideal for ages 6 and up.
How to solve
A clear objective, only one solution
Each challenge has a unique correct sequence. The beauty — and difficulty — is finding the order of slides that secures all the acorns before winter.
Challenge overcome
- Every squirrel has dropped its acorn
- All acorns are hidden in the holes in the ground
- The forest is ready for winter: challenge solved
When you get stuck
- A squirrel can no longer reach an empty hole
- You filled the holes in the wrong order
- No problem: lift the board, retrieve the acorns, and start over
Squirrels Go Nuts! is one of those puzzles you open "for five minutes" and close half an hour later, with all the acorns safe and the desire to try another one immediately. Quick to learn, hard to put down.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Squirrels Go Nuts!
Can a sliding puzzle only be solved by trial and error?
No, and that's the beauty of it. Many try to move pieces randomly, but Squirrels Go Nuts! is solved with logic: first you analyze the position of holes and acorns, understand which squirrel can fill which hole and in what order, then you plan the slides. Chance has nothing to do with it.
Ages 6+: isn't it too easy for an adult?
The cute theme is deceiving. The first few challenges use 2-3 squirrels and are suitable for younger players, but the advanced ones put all four squirrels into play and require dozens of moves in the exact order. The expert difficulties will make even adults sweat: it's a beloved classic precisely because it works at any age.
How difficult are the challenges?
They range from beginner level, almost immediate, to expert level requiring dozens of moves. The curve is gradual: you grow with the game, and each level prepares you for the next. Suitable for both children and adults looking for a real brain-teaser.
How do you undo a move or restart?
The acorns fall into the board, so to undo or restart, simply lift the board and retrieve the hidden ones. A practical tip: rest the board on the transparent lid while playing, so you don't lose any acorns.
Is it suitable for travel and as a gift?
It's one of its best features. The case is compact, has a transparent lid, and keeps all pieces in place, so you can play in the car, on the train, or in a waiting room. Its charming theme and immediate rules also make it a great gift for ages 6 and up.
Do I need to know English?
No. The challenges in the booklet are visual diagrams to reproduce on the board: you instantly understand where to place squirrels and acorns without needing to read text. It's a puzzle played with your eyes and logic.
Squirrels Go Nuts! is a solo puzzle board game for 1 player (ages 6+), designed by Raf Peeters and published by SmartGames. Main mechanic: sequential sliding puzzle. The player slides squirrels horizontally and vertically on the board; each squirrel carries an acorn and drops it when passing over an empty hole. Order matters: once filled, a hole becomes passable, and other squirrels slide over it without losing their acorn. In some challenges, a fixed piece with a flower covers a hole and cannot be moved. Includes 60 challenges of increasing difficulty, from beginner to expert level (with solutions involving dozens of moves). Trains concentration, logic, planning, problem-solving, and spatial intuition. No luck, no dice: just reasoning, with only one solution per challenge. Portable case with transparent lid, ideal as a travel game. Available on FroGames.it.
Squirrels Go Nuts
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