Strategic Summer Quest Board Game

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a strategic board game that includes interactive summer-themed challenges to provide entertainment and learning skills to players.

Board games have been routinely played throughout the United States for many years. To this end, strategic board games are known in the art, and many have proven entertaining to play. Much of the enjoyment of the games is derived from a sense of competition and overcoming obstacles, and that a superior strategy can translate into a faster player winning the game. For many, the enjoyment of one game over another corresponds to the extent that the layout of the board and any associated playing pieces combined with movement and strategies to win the game. In modern times, games such as Monopoly® have been consistently popular over a long period of time. In Monopoly® and other conventional games, playing pieces are moved around a game board using dice and cards in an effort to amass the most money and win the game. However, the noted prior art games typically take hours to win because players attempt to erect structures on captured property using earned money. Due to the long playing periods and monotony of prior art games, it would be beneficial to provide a unique summer themed board game that offers a challenging method of play. As such, the more realistic and exciting a board game, the enjoyment level of play will be greater. It would therefore be beneficial to provide a new board game for players that increases entertainment during play as well as promotes strategy learning.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a new, unique, and entertaining board game.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a game for one or more players. Particularly, the game comprises a playing board with a top playing surface defined by a single track, each track including a plurality of action spaces, a plurality of activity spaces, and a start space. The game also includes a plurality of playing pieces and a spinner defined by an indicator that spins about a base, wherein the base includes a plurality of divisions selected from a letter or a graphic, wherein the letters spell a target word. The game includes a picnic blanket and a plurality of cards configured to be removably retained on the picnic blanket. The game comprises a pegboard comprising a series of openings, each opening associated with a letter or a graphic element, wherein the pegboard letters are the same letters of the spinner and the pegboard letters spell the target word, and wherein the graphic elements are associated with the activity spaces on the playing surface of the playing board. The game includes a plurality of pegs configured to removably fit into the pegboard openings, a plurality of tokens, and one or more dice.

The term “playing board” refers to the surface upon which the players pieces travel around a track during game play. The term “playing piece” refers to a device, one or more of which is assigned to each player to represent that player during game play (e.g., traveling along the game board track and in the activity areas described herein). The term “spinner” refers to any type of spinning instrument that can be used to randomly point to an indicated division. The term “letter” refers to any letter of the alphabet (e.g., A, B, C, D, E, F, and so forth). The term “graphic” refers to any image (e.g., a depiction of an animal, food, place, vehicle, toy, utensil, etc.). The term “target word” is a word to be spelled by the noted letters in an effort to win the game (e.g., the target word SUMMER is spelled using the letters S, U, M, M, E, R). The term “graphic element” refers to any image associated with an activity space as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the spinner includes a single graphic division and the remainder of the divisions each include a letter.

In some embodiments, the graphic division is larger or smaller compared to the remainder of the divisions. For example, the graphic division can be at least about (or no more than about) 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 percent larger or smaller than the remainder of the divisions.

In some embodiments, the picnic blanket has a length and width of about 2-10 inches.

In some embodiments, each game piece is unique with respect to shape, color, pattern, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the top playing surface of the game board includes a single track comprising a plurality of action spaces and a plurality of activity spaces, wherein the action spaces correspond to a particular action to be taken by a player and wherein the activity spaces correspond to a particular activity to be undertaken by a player using the spinner. The term “track” refers to a designated path upon which the players travel during game play.

In some embodiments, the action spaces are selected from losing a token, gaining a token, advancing forward a set number of spaces (e.g., along the track in the direction of play), or advancing to an activity area.

In some embodiments, the number of pegboard openings associated with the letters is equal to the number of pegboard openings associated with the graphic elements.

For example, there can be six pegboard openings associated with the letters and six pegboard openings associated with the graphic elements.

In some embodiments, the number of activity spaces is equal to the number of letters on the pegboard to enable the target word to be spelled after completion of each activity. For example, there can be six activity spaces on the playing board, 6 letter openings on the pegboard, and 6 graphic element openings on the pegboard.

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of playing the disclosed game by two or more players. Particularly, the method comprises assigning a game piece to each player, positioning all game pieces on the start space, and determining playing order of each player. A first player rolls the dice and advances the first player's playing piece the number assigned to the dice rolled. When a player lands on an action space, one of the following actions is assigned to the player, dictated by a notation or symbol on the particular action space: lose a token, gain a token, advance forward along the track to a different action space, or move forward to an activity area. When a player lands on an activity space, the player pays one token to enter the activity area and spin the spinner, has no tokens to pay and cannot enter the activity space and the player's turn is over, chooses not to enter the activity area and their turn is over, or the player has already completed an activity associated with the activity space and the player's turn is over. After the first player rolls the dice, moves the playing pieces and takes appropriate action, the first player's turn is over and play moves to the next player. When a player spins the spinner and lands on a letter, a peg is inserted into the same letter in the corresponding pegboard opening. When a player puts at least one peg in an empty letter space on the corresponding pegboard, a peg is also inserted into the graphic space on the pegboard that corresponds with the activity just completed. When a player spins the spinner and lands on a graphic, a card is removed from the picnic blanket. The winner is determined by either one player positioning a peg in each letter opening of a player's pegboard, or when all of the cards are removed from the picnic blanket, the player with the highest score is deemed the winner.

In some embodiments, the highest score is determined by 1 point awarded for each peg positioned in a corresponding letter opening in that player's pegboard; 1 point awarded for each peg positioned in a corresponding graphic opening in that player's pegboard; 1 point deducted for each card a player has taken from the picnic blanket.

In some embodiments, the playing board includes six activity spaces.

In some embodiments, each activity space is unique compared to the remaining activity spaces. For example, the activity spaces can differ with respect to theme, location on the game board and/or relative to the track, name, size, etc.

In some embodiments, each player spins the spinner a number determined by 1 plus the number of prior activities completed, wherein a prior activity is deemed completed when a peg has been inserted into a letter opening during an activity and consequently a peg is also inserted into the graphic opening on the pegboard that corresponds with the activity completed.

In some embodiments, each activity space includes an entry space, an exit space, and an activity area separate from the track.

In some embodiments, playing order is determined by rolling one die and the lowest number rolled on the die goes first.

The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptions expound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are now described.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a device” can include a plurality of such devices, and so forth.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter.

As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentage can encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in some embodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments +/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%, from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in the disclosed packages and methods.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a unique board game and associated method for playing a board game. The term “board game” as used herein broadly refers to a game played according to a set of rules where players participate in game competition using a playing board in addition to a plurality of accessories. As shown in, board gameincludes playing board, token holderconfigured to hold tokens, picnic blanket, playing pieces, a set of cards, at least one dice, spinner, and pegboardthat holds pegs. Specifically, players move around the board and interact with the playing board, spinner, picnic blanket, and pegboard to spell words and perform activities to win the game.

As noted above, gameincludes playing boardthat provides a surface upon which to play the game.illustrate one embodiment of playing boardcomprising top playing surfaceand opposed bottom surface. Players interact with the top playing surface, such as by moving playing piecesalong a track as described in detail below. The bottom surface of the playing board rests upon and directly contacts a support surface, such as a table, the floor, etc. The playing board also can include a pair of side edgesand opposed top and bottom edges,.

Playing boardcan be constructed from any suitable material(s), such as (but not limited to) cardboard, plastic, metal, wood, or combinations thereof. Top playing surfacecan be printed or otherwise include graphical representations, such as numbers, images, words, logos, artwork, and the like. The top playing surface can be printed on the playing board using a printing process, adhered to the playing board, or may be formed as a part of the playing board itself. One example of a representative graphic top surface of boardis illustrated in. It should be appreciated that the top surface of the game board is not limited to the embodiment shown in, and any design can be used.

The playing board is not limited and can be configured in any desired size. For example, the playing board can have lengthand widthas shown in. The term “length” refers to the longest straight-line horizontal distance of the game board (e.g., between opposed side edgesin some embodiments). The term “width” refers to the longest straight-line vertical distance of the game board (e.g., between the upper and lower edges,in some embodiments). For example, the game board can include lengthand/or widthof about 5-60 inches (e.g., at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 inches). It should be appreciated that the dimensions of the playing board are not limited and can be configured to be larger or smaller than the length and width ranges given above.

The playing board can also include thicknessas shown in. The term “thickness” refers to the distance between the board top and bottom surfaces,. Playing boardcan have thicknessof about 0.1-1 inches in some embodiments. However, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited and the playing board thickness can be greater or less than the given range.

Although depicted as square or rectangular in shape in the Figures, the playing board can have any suitable shape, such as (but not limited to) oval, round, triangular, cross-shaped, pentagonal, octagonal, hexagonal, abstract, and the like. It should be noted that any shaped playing board can be used.

As noted above, gameincludes spinner, as illustrated in. As shown, the spinner includes indicatorthat randomly points to one of a plurality of letters or images upon being spun by a player. In some embodiments, the indicator can be configured as a pointer arm that freely rotates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about a pivot in the center of a base when pressure is applied by a player, as is known in the art. The base is radially divided into several divisionsrepresenting various letters and at least one graphic space. As noted below, the letters correspond to a word that must be spelled to win the game. For example, the letters of the spinner can include the letters to spell out the word “summer” (e.g., S-U-M-M-E-R). However, it should be appreciated that the game is not limited to the word SUMMER and any suitable word can be used. As noted, the base includes at least one graphic spacethat corresponds to an adverse action that must be taken by the player landing on that division, as explained in detail below. Thus, the spinner can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more graphic spacesand 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more letter spaces. The number of graphic spaces can be more, less than, or the same number of letter spaces. The term “graphic space” refers to a space that lacks a letter and/or includes an image (e.g., an image of an animal, such as an ant).

In use, a player rotates indicatorby applying pressure to land on a random division (e.g., a letter space or a graphic space). The divisionscan be about the same size in some embodiments. Alternatively, one or more divisions can be larger or smaller than at least one other division to increase competition and enjoyment of game. For example, the negative consequence division (graphic space) can be larger or smaller than the letter spaces.

As described above, the game also includes pegboardconfigured to hold pegs. The pegboard is used to track progress of each player during the game. Specifically, each player's pegboardincludes a plurality of lettersand a plurality of graphics, each letter and graphic associated with a corresponding openingthat is sized and shaped to cooperate with an associated peg, as shown in. For example, if the pegboard includes 6 lettersand 6 graphics, the pegboard will include 12 openings total (e.g., one opening for each of the 6 letters, one opening for each of the 6 graphics). As explained in detail below, as activities are completed, the spaces associated with letters and graphics,that correspond with each activity are filled with pegs, as shown in. Thus, if a player completes Activityby spinning the letter “R,” the player will insert a peg in the opening corresponding with letter R, as well as the Activitygraphic opening in the pegboard.

In some embodiments, the pegboard can include trayconfigured to conveniently hold pegswhen not in use. In this way, when a peg is needed, it is close at hand. The tray can be configured as any retention element capable of holding pegs.

Pegboardis not limited to any particular size or shape, so long as it includes letters, graphics, and openings. It should be appreciated that the letters of the pegboard are the same letters included on spinner(e.g., 1 S, 1 U, 2 Ms, 1 E, 1 R). The game can be designed to spell any words or combination of words and is not limited to the spelling of the word SUMMER. Similarly, graphicsare not limited to any specific elements and can vary as desired.

Pegslikewise are not limited to any particular design. For example, each peg can include stemthat is sized and shaped to fit into opening. The pegs can also include headwith a diameter that is greater than opening, so that the peg can be easily added and removed by grasping the head and dropping steminto the opening. Because the head does not fall into opening, it can easily be grasped by a player to remove the peg. One non-limiting embodiment of a peg is illustrated in, although any device that can be inserted and removed from openingcan be used.

Gamealso includes picnic blanketupon which cardsare placed, as shown in. The term “picnic blanket” includes any portion of material configured to lay flat on a table or other support surface. The picnic blanket can be constructed from any material, such as cloth, plastic, wood, metal, or any combination thereof. The picnic blanket can have any suitable dimensions and size. For example, the blanket can have lengthand or widthof about 2-10 inches in some embodiments. The blanket can further have a thickness of 0.01-1 inches (0.01, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1 inch).

The blanket can be configured in any desired shape, such as rectangular, square, oval, round, triangular, abstract, and the like. In some embodiments blanketcan be configured as a picnic blanket (e.g., red and white checkered pattern). However, the design, coloring, patterns included on blanketare not limited.

The game includes cardsthat are positioned on the top surface of the blanket. In some embodiments, there are 6 cards, although any number of cards can be used (e.g., at least/no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). The cards can be arranged in any desired way on the top surface of the picnic blanket. As explained in detail below, the cards can be associated with food products placed on the picnic blanketin some embodiments. For example, each card can include an image of a food product and/or words. However, the cards and any associated imagery are not limited to food products. Rather, any imagery or no imagery can be used. Once all the cards are removed from the picnic blanket, the game is over, as explain in detail below.

The game also includes a plurality of tokensand associated holder. As explained in detail below, the tokens are used as currency to enter various activities during game play and are awarded or taken to/from a player as the player advances around the board. Tokenscan take any suitable shape, such as flat discs as shown in, allowing them to be stacked easily. However, the shape and size of the tokens are not limited. The game can include any number of tokens, such as at least/no more than about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30.

The tokens are stored in holder, which can have suitable shape to house several tokens. The holder can be configured to allow tokens to be easily and quickly added and removed from holder interior. One representative and non-limiting example of holderis shown in. However, it should be appreciated that the holder can be configured in any shape or size, so long as the holder can house tokens.

Each player is assigned a corresponding playing piecethat moves along game boardduring game play. As should be understood, the playing pieces are not limited to any particular shape or size. In some embodiments, the playing pieces include a flat bottom face, allowing the piece to rest flat on the top surface of the game board, as illustrated in. All the game pieces can be identical in shape in some embodiments (but vary with regard to color, pattern, etc.). In other embodiments, each playing piece has a unique shape relative to the remainder of the playing pieces.

As noted above, top playing surfaceof the game board can be marked or printed in any desired way. For example, the top playing surface can include trackalong which each player's playing pieces must travel from a start to a finish, as illustrated in. For example, a playing piece can begin at a start space and travel around the track until an end space is reached (or until the player reaches the initial start space). Thus, the track can be configured as a closed loop in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the track can include one or more offsets or branches from the loop adding complexity and challenge to the game (each offset can be associated with an activity as described herein).

The track includes a series of individual consecutive spacesthat a player must travel on during game play. Spacesinclude a plurality of action spacesand a plurality of activity spaces. The action spaces are associated with a particular action a player must take when landing on that space (e.g., start the game, take/lose one token, advance to a different action space, enter an activity area). The activity spaces are associated with a player paying a token to enter the corresponding activity area, then using spinnerto try and accumulate pegsin the peg board to spell a word, as explained in detail below.

In some embodiments, one or more spacescan include summer-themed images, words, and/or numbers, as shown in. It should be appreciated that the images included on a space or on boardare not limited and any images and/or themes can be used.

To set up the game, boardis opened to a flat configuration, resting on a support surface (e.g., table). Spinnerand token holderare placed on the support surface. In some embodiments, each tokenis placed within the token holder. Picnic blanketis placed on the support surface and food cardsare placed on the blanket top surface. In some embodiments, 6 food cards are place on the top surface of picnic blanket. Each player takes their own peg boardand places pegsinside the associated peg board tray for storage until they are needed to spell a word (e.g., SUMMER) and to designate an activity as complete, as shown in the schematic of. It should be appreciated that the steps can be performed in any order.

Each player then selects a playing pieceand places it on the start space of the playing board. To determine playing order, each player rolls one dieand the player that rolls the lowest number goes first in some embodiments. Play then proceeds in a counterclockwise direction in some embodiments. If two or more players roll the same number, those players roll another die and the player with the lowest number rolled goes first. The process can repeat until there is a clear first player (e.g., no more ties). Any method of determining playing order can be used, and gameis not limited to the embodiment described.

A player advances their assigned playing piece the number of spaces rolled on die, traveling around track. Each space along the track is treated as a single number on a die. For example, a player that rolls aon the dice must moveconsecutive spaces along the track. Further, the starting space is not treated as a space when starting the game. There is no limit to the number of players that can occupy a single place at one time during gameplay.