News Bits

School Days: Summer 2017 release!
School’s out but “School Days” is in! A new Co-operative Tile Game™ for kids aged 7 to adult!

Pick up the students, bring them to school for the day, then return them to their homes and the bus to the school yard. That’s the plan, anyway…

Available now in our on-line store.

Emergency Treatment Center
A new game for 2 to 6 players ages 7 to adult that’s dedicated to the Angels serving in ERs everywhere!

We are a team of Doctors and Nurses handling various patients with injuries who come into the Emergency Treatment Center. How many will we be able to treat within our 8-hour work shift? Everybody, if we work like a skilled, well-trained team with big compassionate hearts. Click to buy!

NOW Magazine's NNNNN Score and Ecoholic Pick AwardNOW Magazine’s NNNNN Score and Ecoholic Pick Award
Every year in December Toronto’s NOW magazine does their Green gift shop: the sustainable toy guide. It’s a survey of toys both good and bad, judged on their environments impact and educational value. We have only just learned that Family Pastimes Games were awarded NOW’s highest rating and their Ecoholics Pick Award in their last Xmas gift guide. Here’s what they had to say…

Mr. Troll Click for a larger image Players work together to get the Goat Family safely to New Meadow and into the Barn before the Scary, Hairy Troll catches them. In a simple, exciting way, children will learn logic, consultation and decision making. We don't like the Troll catching any of the Goats. He captures them mainly to Eat and sometimes for a Pet. So, we'd better bring along the donuts, cookies, and other things much, much tastier than Goats! Includes: full color board , 2 special dice, 1 troll, 6 various food items, 6 goats, rules. © 2009Seasonal Favourites & Halloween Games
Where did September go?
Canadian Thanksgiving in a few days.
Gorgeous foliage everywhere.
Gardens being harvested.
Halloween around the corner.
What’s this got to do with Family Pastimes games, you ask?
FP has a Christmas game, but no Halloween game?
Click here to check out the following titles that qualify for mention at this wonderful time of year.

1 to 6 players, Ages 6 to Adult Click for a larger image The game begins with a Random Universe arrangement. Players, using their Wits, Imaginations and Control Cards, try to create an Ordered Universe of Life and Form. The beautifully illustrated cards represent various concepts that alone provide much to think and dream about. Play solitaire or with others, sharing ideas and strategies in a friendly, challenging way. This game also includes The Collection, a booklet of 40 more fun and easy-to-learn co-op card games for the same deck. For ages 5-9, try Memory, Swami, or Triples; for ages 7-12, try Peace, Zoot or Melds; for teens and adults, try Quota, Co-op Crib or Quilter's Delight. Whether used for socials, family evenings, educational purposes, workshops, stimulating mental challenges or just plain fun, The Collection greatly extends the play value of these cards. © 1984, 1996 Our customers say: "My wife and I are addicted to playing your co-operative cribbage." — Utah, USACard Games
Looking over my own current favourite games to play with friends, I see that Card Games occupy the most space. Quick to explain: We have a variety of themes. They are small enough to take on trips. And when on trips they are a fun way to meet new friends in a cordial atmosphere.

Follow the link to see a few of our favourites…

Choices - 4 to 24 players, Ages 12 to Adult Click for a larger image A values oriented, moral dilemma game of discussion and evaluation of challenges that an individual encounters from childhood to old age. The situations and questions appear on cards with choices to make. Players can create their own responses and more situations to enter into the game. Any group that gathers for some learning about living will find this game a useful tool to stimulate values discussion in a non-competitive framework. Includes: 14 x 18" play pad, 4 sets of questions, for childhood, adolescence, middle years and old age, mover, die, game, complete rules. © 1976August News 2016. Back to school!
A list of educational co-op game resources.
‘Tis the season for young & old to prepare for school. Here’s a list of educational resources to further the needs of early and late education.
Read More…
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
TaxiWe made too many TAXI! games so we are putting on a Summer Sale! At $19.80 Canadian that is just around $15US!

There’s lots to do before the night is over besides just delivering fares to their destinations. Events are happening all over the city Read more here…

June News 2016
I am told that summer is here as I listen to the rain thundering down, watch the road being washed away, and me shivering in the cold room, temp 7 Celsius. The upside? Perfect weather for staying indoors and playing co-operative board games.

What would I suggest? Something in keeping with the season? Something educational? I think we have all that and games which are even fun to play as well! Click here for my list of suggestions…

Co-operative Parlor Games eBookMobile Games for Family Fun
If you are stuck inside, or traveling, and board games are not practical, try one of our mobile options!

Our Co-operative Parlor Games manual is available as an eBook for any mobile device or computer. It’s loaded with games for all ages which require little or no equipment. Your choice of Kindle, Kobo, or Mac iBook formats.

Our perennial favorite board game, Max the Cat, is available as an app for iPad/iPhone. All the same action and suspense in the palm of your hand. It’s a purrfect cooperative distraction for that long car trip. Kids 4 and up can work together to save the little creatures from Max.

Peaceable Places: A CO-OPERATIVE GAME FOR ALL AGES THREE GAMES IN ONE! “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard with the goat,and the calf and the lion together, and the cow and bear shall feed,and the child shall play with the snake.” ISAIAH 11: 5 – 8. OBJECT Players help realize the beautiful Promise that a time will come when Love will overcome Fear and all Creatures will live together in Peace and not hurt or destroy each other anymore. CONTENTS 12×12”Board, 36 Cards ( Fear, Love,Prophecy, Various Creatures & Child), Rules for ALL AGES, 5 to 7, 7 to 12 and 12 to Adult. Children can grow with the game. “As a young boy and even today, I remain touched by this deeply meaningful Promise.” Jim“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb…” Peaceable Places for all ages

Thanks for your patience. The next new game is here! As I write, PEACEABLE PLACES, promised last month, is being assembled behind me. It has evolved into a Multi-Age game, suitable for 4 to 7, 7 – 12, 12 to adult, with separate pieces and rules for each age level. I favor putting all the versions in one edition, rather than milking them with separate extensions. The illustrations are gleaned from historical sources of the Holy Land. Read more…

Blues Away - A CO-OPERATIVE STRATEGY GAME © 2016, Jim Deacove THE IDEA Taking turns, players use the Yellow marble to jump and remove as many of the Blue marbles as they can. Some logic, some intuition, lots of brainwork, because no Luck is involved. CONTENTS Special Board with 50 nests, 1 Yellow Happy Days Marble, 20 The Blues Marbles, and Rules for Solitaire and Partner Play. AGES 7 to Adult PLAYERS Alone or Two WARNING! CHOKING HAZARD Small Parts Not for children under 3 yearsBlues Away! A New Marble Game Spin-off

Last time I wrote I was crying the Blues about losing our steady supply of marbles for the Yin Yang game. After redesigning Yin Yang with disks I had solved that problem, but then I really did have the Blues, lots of leftover blue marbles, that is. My solution? Blues Away! A Cooperative Strategy Game™ for 2 players, aged 7 and up. Also included are rules for solitaire play. Read more…

Yin-Yang: IDEA: Has the feel of games like Checkers, but with a co-operative twist. Jumping pieces without killing. My moves helping me & you or both of us going nowhere. OBJECT: Move the black and yellow discs to create the yin yang symbol of spaces in the middle of the board . AGES: 7 to adult PLAYERS: For 2. with Bonus solitaire version included. CONTENTS: 12x12" Board, Turn Marker, 22 Wooden Discs (4 Blue Discs, 9 Yellow Discs, 9 Black Discs), Rules. "Having a third color allows for neat creative combinations." JimNew design for Yin Yang Strategy Game

I had a problem. My supplier of Chinese Checker plastic marbles, ½ inch, had closed. I’d been trying to locate a new one, but had had no luck. A few places in China make them, but are selling them for 5 cents each US $. If you are familiar with my Yin Yang game that uses these marbles, you will know that paying that much for one marble would price the Yin Yang out of reasonable range. Anyone know of a supplier in bulk, say, 5,000 of each colour, preferably in North America so that shipping charges are not prohibitive?

So, if I couldn’t find a marble supplier, then I could redesign Yin Yang, Read more…

The Hungry Ones Three Co-operative Games in One 2009, 2015 © Jim Deacove Players: 2 to 6 Ages: 4 - Adult Story Ruth and I maintain feeders each winter until spring. We have different sized feeders, some squirrel proof. We try to spread the seeds around so all our visiting creatures get a share. Contents Game Board 12"x12", 9 feeders, 12 seeds, suet, 4 Birds, 4 Squirrels, 3 Weather Conditions with Rules for 3 Separate Games for 4 to 7 years, 7 to 12 years, and 12 to adult. Object Spread seeds so all 8 creatures get some. If one or more creatures hog most of the seeds, sadly some will go hungry. Let us feed as many hungry creatures as we can and teach these little ones to are, so no one goes without.The Hungry Ones

New in August 2015! Three Co-operative Games in One

Ruth and I maintain feeders each winter until spring. We have different sized feeders, some are squirrel proof. We try to spread the seeds around so all our visiting creatures get a share.

The Hungry Ones 3 in 1 Co-op Games If one or more creatures hog most of the seeds, sadly some will go hungry.Players spread seeds so all 8 creatures get some. If one or more creatures hog most of the seeds, sadly some will go hungry. Let us feed as many hungry creatures as we can and teach these little ones to share, so no one goes without.

Includes game board with feeders, seeds, suet, 4 birds, 4 squirrels, 3 weather conditions and rules for 3 separate games for 4 to 7 years, 7 to 12 years, and 12 to adult.

Speedy Parcel: A Co-operative Card Game™ 2 to 4 Players Ages 4-7 7-12, 12 & up The Idea: As a kid I was thrilled to get a parcel delivered. As and adult I enjoy delivering the parcels. Sort of my Santa Complex. Object: We deliver for SPEEDY, working together to deliver the Parcels to the right Homes. Watch out for Protective Dogs and avoid Flat Tires. Contents: 36 Cards with 12 Parcels, 12 Homes, 3 Guard Dogs, 3 Flat tires, 3 Spare tires, and riles for 3 Gamers! "This Might be too hard for you." Words of caution from a 4 year old to an adult asking to play.

Speedy Parcel

As a kid I was thrilled to get a parcel delivered. As an adult I enjoy delivering the parcels. Sort of my Santa Complex. In this new Co-operative Card Game™ we deliver for SPEEDY, working together to deliver the Parcels to the right Homes. Watch out for Protective Dogs and avoid Flat Tires.

For 2 to 4 Players, includes rules for 3 games for ages 4-7, 7-12, 12 & up

“This Might be too hard for you.” Words of caution from a 4 year old to an adult asking to play.

lost_puppies 1 to 8 PLAYERS AGES 5 to 7 years A Co-operative Strategy Game TM OBJECT Night has come and the puppies have wandered off. Our job is to find and bring home the Lost Puppies. CONTENTS 12 x 12” game board, Rules, 12 Night Times, 4 Telephones, 6 Flashlights, 6 Puppies © 2009, 2015, Jim DeacoveLost puppies!

1 to 8 PLAYERS AGES 5 to 7 years
A Co-operative Strategy Game TM

OBJECT
Night has come and the puppies have wandered off. Our job is to find and bring home the Lost Puppies.

CONTENTS
12 x 12” game board, Rules, 12 Night Times, 4 Telephones, 6 Flashlights, 6 Puppies
© 2009, 2015, Jim Deacove

New Railroad Building Game!

We are a Railroad Building Company and work together to build a Railroad from Coast to Coast, connecting the Rail and Challenge cards to form a continuous line. There is a solution every time. We just have to be clever enough to find it and not give up easily . But if you do give up, and it does happen to the best of us, celebrate what you did accomplish and try again.Coast to Coast: We are a Railroad Building Company and work together to build a Railroad from Coast to Coast, connecting the Rail and Challenge cards to form a continuous line. There is a solution every time. We just have to be clever enough to find it and not give up easily . But if you do give up, and it does happen to the best of us, celebrate what you did accomplish and try again.
Ages: 9 to Adult, Number of Players: 2, 3 or 4
“Railroad games always feature a battle for supremacy. I wanted a different railroad game experience by having the players collaborating and coordinating their efforts to build a rail system.“ Jim

Try out Max the Cat on-line for free!

Click to play

Max the Cat App is Here!

Max the Cat: an app for kids 4 and up. iOS app with all the charm of the original board game in a mobile format you can take on the road. Download it on the App Store.

Ages: 4 and up, Number of Players: 1 to 8

New Nature Adventure Game for 2014!

Animal TrackersAnimal trackers: Look carefully and match the tracks in the Forest leading to the animal dens. When we arrive, flip the Forest card to see what animal we tracked to its den. Then read the fascinating facts about the animal we found. Everyone has a part in helping to discover the animals in the forest.

Ages: 4 to 7, Number of Players: 2 to 12 +

New Space Exploration Game for Summer 2013!

moon_mission_newsMoon Mission: We are an International Team of Geologists who have landed a space lab on the Moon and are sending out rovers to visit the Moon terrain in search of anything valuable to bring back to the people of Earth. We promise to abide by the Outer Space Treaty as formulated by the UN. “I, as a member of the UN Geological Team, promise that the exploration and use of outer space,including the moon and other celestial bodies shall be for the benefit of all countries on Earth”

Ages: 5 to 12. the three levels of play will challenge adults as well.

Equipment: Moonscape map, 4 Robot Rovers, 4 Rover Markers, 28 Cards (Minerals, Moon Terrain, Solar Power, UFO, Moon Dust, Moon Storm, The Mother Ship, Lab). Regular Die.

A new Family Pastimes game, just in time for Spring!

Lets go sugaringLet’s Go Sugaring: Spring is that special time of year when Sugar Maple Trees run sweet sap that we collect, then take to the Sugar Shack where the sap is boiled down and made into various sweet products such as sugar crystals, candy and syrup. In this game, we work together to put out the pails, gather the sap, boil it down into syrup and see how many containers of maple syrup we can make before the oh, so short Sugaring Season is done.
CONTENTS: Game board, 12″x12″, 16 Cards, 16 Pails, 1 Syrup Making Chart & an Information Booklet with Rules
AGES: 7 to Adult Players: 1 to 4 Let's make Pizza

Three great games for the 2011 Season.

Let’s Make a Pizza:, We are prep cooks in a Pizza Shop and have to help Chef fill the pizza orders coming in while keeping an eye on how hot the oven is getting. We don’t want to burn any pizzas.

Gnightly Gnomes
Gnightly Gnomes: If the gnomes are treated well, they keep an eye on our livestock, crops, orchards, gardens, and many matters in our homes. But they attract “meanies”, who like to catch them, that’s why gnomes do their good deeds in secret.

 

Let's Go DiggingLet’s Go Digging:We are archaeologists digging for artifacts in nearby rural areas. We work together to unearth as many old and new artifacts from different historical periods. When our bins are full, we head to the Museum to assess our finds.

 

 

Three brand new Family Pastimes games came out in the Spring of 2011:

ARRIAARI, a game of real and made up acronyms and abbreviations — full of room for humour and imagination.

 

 

Dragonfly Sahara SearchDragonfly, in which players capture mosquitoes with dragonflies, so people and pets don’t get bitten; and
Sahara Search, a game of treasure-finding in the African desert, which has already received Creative Child Magazine’s 2011 Award for Game of the Year!

 

Earth Game

 

We’ve also created an updated version of our popular Earth Game, a peace strategy game for ages 12 to Adult.

 

Caves claws

A new version of Caves and Claws!

Caves and Claws: The museum hires a team of Archaeologists to head deep into a Jungle to find Ancient Artifacts. We are that team, ready for action and adventure!
AGES: 6 to Adult Players: 1 to 4

 

If the following games you purchased do not have rules with a © 2004, contact me at info@familypastimes.com and I will e-mail you a copy of the updated rules, which include new bonus games.

Diplomatic Mission. Free Bonus Game that assigns specific roles to each game character.

Zen Blocks. Bonus game available.

Galaxy Card Game. Two new Bonus Games.

Retailers wishing Wholesale Prices or Mail Order Customers wishing Mail Order Prices, don’t hesitate to contact us via email, info@familypastimes.com, or phone 1-613-267-4819.

Family Pastimes
796 Brooke Valley Road
R.R. 4
Perth, Ontario, Canada
K7H 3C6

Warm regards,
Jim Deacove