{ Play ! } :: Trailblazer

Yesterday my friend Kristin and I went to Ken's Educational Joys in Ephrata--it's a teacher resource store catering to the Mennonite and Amish communities, and it is absolutely breathtaking! Well, for those of us who love books and toys and games and stickers and puzzles and...well, anyway, I picked up a couple of things.

I was in the geography/maps section, looking for something for Benjamin--because he really enjoys our Ravensburger U.S. Map puzzle.  I saw a game called, Trailblazer.

I am so glad I went back to buy it--after some minor deliberation (and the putting back of a Noggin game).  Here's the deal...the board is huge (it's a U.S. Map) and it clearly shows the state borders, mountain ranges, waterways, and capital cities.  All along the trails there are also cute little region-specific illustrations (i.e. a bison, a teepee).

To take a turn, players use the spinner--which looks like a compass.

There are trivia cards (on which there are varying levels of difficulty, signified by the color of the printing).  Also, each icon (canoe, horse, covered wagon, paddle-boat, steam engine, automobile) signifies a time period in American history (from which the question comes).

The game also includes two other sets of cards:  Adventure Cards and Treasure Cards.

Benjamin loves the Treasure Cards--he calls them "little bits of knowledge."  And, he'll even cheat so he can land on a green spot, to select a Treasure Card.  At one point I had to trade with him because I received a "Confederate Soldiers Uniform" and he got the quilt...so, we traded.

The funny thing is, we don't play by the rules.  Technically, players aren't only racing across the country "blazing" a trail but also answering trivia questions (to earn points) and collecting Treasure Cards (to earn points).  The game ends when a player reaches his destination--and the number of points earned determines the winner.

Since we don't score for points, we're just racing across the country.  So, Benjamin isn't cheating so he can earn points...in fact, he's cheating so he can earn "bits of knowledge!"

We all LOVE it!  Last night we learned about the Olmec people and I was reminded of the Clovis people--which led to some research.  If your family enjoys learning history, I highly suggest you seek out this game--it's great!

Note:  I also picked up Math Noodlers (thank you Stephanie) and this great cut-out book for in Benjamin's spring/Easter basket--it's illustrated by the same person who made his Civil War paper dolls.