Board game
An educational board game includes a planar game board having printed thereon a movement path consisting of a contiguous series of numbered spaces. Various groups of spaces are set to receive panels from a “Theme Pack.” The “Theme Pack” itself is comprised of character image panels, illustrated panels, instruction panels and question cards directly related to a given book or subject matter. Different “Theme Packs” can be used with the same game board in order to incorporate multiple books and accommodate different age groups. A magnetic interaction between the game board and panels ensures that the latter remain in position on the board. The method of play involves correctly answering questions related to a given book or “Theme Pack” in order to advance along the movement path from start to finish.
The present invention relates to a board game, and more specifically to a board game with a series of themes related to specific books, that serves the dual purpose of being both educational and entertaining for children, and for others.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONBoard games that are intended as learning tools for children have previously been described. U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,652, which issued to Ruff on Jan. 19, 1999, discloses a board game having a movement path along which players advance their game piece from a starting point to a finishing point. Each player may advance their game piece upon correctly answering a randomly selected question from a plurality of question cards. The board game is designed for young children, in that questions printed on the aforementioned question cards test the player's ability to recognize colors, shapes and letters of the alphabet.
A similar method of play whereby players advance along a movement path upon correctly answering a randomly selected question from a plurality of question cards was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,666, which issued to Corle on Jun. 12, 1990. As described therein, the playing surface of the board itself is illustrated with a geographical map of the United States and questions printed on the aforementioned question cards relate to American history and geography.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,854, which issued to Weiss on Feb. 12, 1991, discloses a board game that similarly comprises a board having a continuous movement path and a plurality of question cards. The board game described therein is intended to improve children's language skills by testing a player's knowledge of figurative expressions commonly used in the English language.
The prior art discloses board games that are each ideally suited to a narrow age range and intended to test a player's knowledge of a particular subject matter. Such games focus on the recollection of specific information without stimulating the development of other cognitive skills such as comprehension, application or analysis.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn view of the foregoing, the purpose of the present invention is to develop a board game that is adaptable to different age groups and functions as both a source of entertainment and a teaching tool for cognitive skills such as comprehension and critical thinking.
Preferably the game has one or a series of themes that are related to specific books, and test the knowledge of the players, in relation to that book, or books. Many different books can be used as themes for parts of the game, as will become apparent below. The books can be works of fiction, plays, or even non fiction. The books will be known to, or have been studied by, the players, prior to playing the game.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an educational board game comprises a planar game board having printed thereon a contiguous series of numbered spaces. The movement path originates at a space designated as “Start Area,” follows the numerical sequence of the spaces and ends at a space designated as “The Winner Area.” A first group of spaces on the board bear a pattern of green-colored diagonal lines and are set to receive corresponding panels that contain instructions for movement of a game piece. A second group of spaces on the board bear a pink-colored grid pattern and are set to receive corresponding panels that also contain instructions for movement of a game piece. A third group of spaces on the board are blank and set to receive corresponding panels which are illustrated with scenes from a given book. A fourth group of spaces on the board are blue-colored and designated as “Take a Question Card” spaces. A fifth space on the board is designated as “Theme Area” and is set to receive a panel bearing the title of a given book. The “Start Area” and “The Winner Area” are also set to receive corresponding illustrated panels.
The educational game further comprises random number selector such as dice, and calculator, or a simple spinner. The game also has game pieces, tokens and a “Theme Pack.” A “Theme Pack” relates to a given book and is itself comprised of one “Theme Identification“ panel, one “Start Area”panel, one “The Winner Area” panel, a plurality of instruction panels that correspond to the first and second group of spaces on the board, a plurality of illustrated panels that correspond to the third group of spaces on the board, a plurality of question cards and a plurality of character image panels which can be affixed to the aforementioned game pieces.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the board has a metallic material incorporated within it and all “Theme Pack” panels have a magnetic base so that they remain in position once placed onto the game board.
The character image panels also have a magnetic base which allows them to be affixed to the metallic upper portion of the game pieces.
The “Theme Pack” can be varied in order to change the book or subject matter of the game while keeping the rules of the game constant. Thus, the same game board can be used with different “Theme Packs”, each of which relate to a different book, or subject. This advantageously allows the board game to be adaptable to different age groups and to be used as a learning tool for different cognitive skills, depending on the nature of the questions printed on the question cards provided with each “Theme Pack”, and of course the subject matter of the book itself. Furthermore, once a player has learned the rules of the game, he or she can focus on the subject matter. A still further advantage lies in the reduced cost associated with the purchase of additional “Theme Packs” rather than a whole new board game for each additional book or subject matter, and the reduced storage space associated therewith.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
IN THE DRAWINGS
With reference to
Clearly this is but one of many random number selectors which may be used. Dice could also be used. Conceivably some form of simply electronic calculator could also be used.
Prior to commencement of the game, the “Theme Identification,” “Start Area” and “The Winner Area” panels, shown in
The game commences with each player selecting and placing their game piece in space number 1. Each player spins the arrow of the spinner shown in
Upon landing on one of the green-colored instruction panels, a player is entitled to advance his or her game piece as indicated on the panel. Upon landing on one of the pink-colored instruction panels, a player is required to move his or her game piece as indicated on the panel. If a player is instructed to return to the starting space, a token may be redeemed for the chance to immediately play again. If the player is instructed to lose his or her next turn, two tokens can be redeemed for the chance to immediately play again; alternatively, one token can be redeemed to avoid losing the next turn. Upon landing on one of the blue-colored “Take a Question Card” spaces, a player must select a question card, read the question and proffer an answer. A player is entitled to advance the number of spaces indicated on the question card, or less, if the question is answered correctly. If answered incorrectly, a player is required to move the game piece as indicated on the question card. The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the last square designated “The Winner Area.” No player can move directly into the last square from a blue-colored “Take a Question Card” space.
The present invention can be adapted to different books or subject matter by simply changing the “Theme Pack.” As an example, the game can be varied from testing a player's comprehension of the book titled The Wonderful Wizard of OZ to testing a player's comprehension of the book titled Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A board game for playing a game related to a selected theme and comprising;
- a game board having printed thereon a movement path composed of a plurality of numbered spaces;
- a random play movement selector;
- a plurality of game pieces;
- a plurality of tokens; and,
- a “Theme Pack” of question and answer cards related to said selected theme.
2. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said movement path originates at space number 1 designated as “Start Area,” follows the numerical sequence of the spaces from 1 to 32 and ends at space number 32 designated as “The Winner Area.”
3. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said movement path contains a first group of spaces, bearing a pattern of colored diagonal lines, which are set to receive corresponding panels that contain instructions for movement of a game piece.
4. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said movement path contains a second group of spaces, bearing a grid pattern, which are set to receive corresponding panels that contain instructions for movement of a game piece.
5. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said movement path contains a third group of blank spaces which are set to receive corresponding panels that are illustrated with scenes from said selected Theme.
6. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said movement path contains a fourth group of spaces designated as “Take a Question Card” spaces.
7. The board game of claim 1, wherein space number 1 on the said movement path is set to receive an illustrated panel corresponding to the “Start Area.”
8. The board game of claim 1, wherein space number 32 on the said movement path is set to receive an illustrated panel corresponding to “The Winner Area.”
9. The board game of claim 1, wherein space number 33 on the said game board is set to receive a “Theme Identification” panel bearing the title of a given book and hence, “Theme Pack.”
10. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said “Theme Pack” is comprised of a plurality of instruction panels, a plurality of illustrated panels, a plurality of question cards, a plurality of character image panels, one “Theme Identification” panel, one “Start Area” panel and one “The Winner Area” panel.
11. The board game of claim 10 wherein wherein said question cards have questions related to said theme and instructions for movement of a game piece in the event of correct and incorrect answers printed on the front side of the cards, and answers printed on the back side of the cards.
12. The board game of claim 10, wherein the said theme panels have a magnetic base.
13. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said game board has a metallic material incorporated within it.
14. The board game of claim 1, wherein the said method of playing an educational game involves correctly answering questions related to a given book or “Theme Pack” in order to advance along the said movement path from start to finish.
Type: Application
Filed: May 19, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 7, 2006
Inventors: Terry Davis (Aurora), Cathy Davis (Aurora), Jordan Davis (Aurora)
Application Number: 11/436,663
International Classification: A63F 3/02 (20060101);