Zen Blocks...a game that unfolds differently each time!
Symbols on the blocks are matched to form a cube, like dominoes in 3-D. Easy games for the young to try, and tough games for teens and adults. Not a one solution puzzle, but a genuine game that unfolds differently each time. Excellent for family play, in schools as a logic game, by groups assessing co-operative skills or just as a gift for that clever person. Can you bring together the opposites to form a complete whole? Full explanations of the meanings of the symbols are given. Age 6-Adult, 1-13 players.
Why you'll love Cooperative Family Games:
- Cooperative games make unique & wonderful gifts!
- A classic family pastime with cooperative fun!
- Fun for the young & adults alike. Most games come with both easy & challenging play rules.
- Educational games for children that are fun for the whole family!
- Games are thought-provoking testing memory, thinking skills & more!
- Every game strengthens important decision making skills.
- Players work together to achieve a common, desirable goal.
- Foster healthy, positive family values in a fun, learning way!
- Made in Canada and designed & created by Canadian parents.
Co-operative games are based on the belief that we should play as friends, not as enemies. These wonderful games foster the spirit of co-operation. Players help each other climb a mountain, make a community, save a princess, explore a secret mansion... They are never against each other but work together towards a common goal. After all, the initial impulse to play a game is social. How ironic then that in most games, we spend all our efforts trying to bankrupt someone, destroy their armies - in other words, to get rid of one another! Our cooperative games are very well designed and engaging, several have won Top Ratings from the Canadian Toy Testing Council, the Dr. Toy Award and more.
A review of Zen Blocks by Sandy:
I just wanted to write and tell you how much my children are enjoying your games! These games encourage them to play together, even though they are years apart! Our family also loves "family game night" with your games. Thanks for making such creative, co-operative and fun games available!
We feel that playing a game cooperatively brings out the best in every player. Cooperative games contain one simple concept - all players' work together to attain a mutually desirable goal. Strategies, resources and decisions are shared. The challenge and enjoyment is in the teamwork. Think of the important message this is giving to children. These educational games are fun to play, thought provoking and free of violent themes.
Games that foster cooperation, kindness & positive values.
Leslie from Toronto, Ontario (Canada) asks us...
Q: What is a Co-Operative Game?
A: Play as friends, not as enemies! These games foster the spirit of co-operation. Players work together - rather than against each other - to achieve a common goal. Co-operative games have been proven to be a friendly form of fun.
The initial impulse to play a game is social; that is, we bring out a game because we want to do something together. Isn't it ironic that in most games, we spend all our efforts trying to bankrupt someone, destroy their armies - in other words, to get rid of one another! We soon learn how to pick on the other person's weaknesses in order to win the game.
In cooperative games people of different ages and abilities are able to play side by side, each making their best contribution. In a co-operative game, someone young and little can play with others older and bigger and not worry about being wiped out. We are all there at the end of it, however children are not protected from not saving the princess or completing the outdoor voyage. These games are designed to offer realistic challenges. These challenges, in sum, are used in various settings and for various reasons, socialization, entertainment, academic learning, character growth, etc. Whatever your objective, we invite you to realize them by co-operative means. Parents and teachers trying to teach children to share, be kind to living things, and help others out often are troubled by games and recreation programs which undermine these values. Our games provide the opportunity to experience sharing and caring behavior. We simply don't have enough of such experiences.
Q: Where are your Cooperative Games Made?
A: We're so glad you asked us! Since 1972 this small, family business has been designing and manufacturing co-operative board games in rural Ontario, Canada. What started out as a "hobby" quickly became a small business in their home more than 30 years ago. Slow but steady growth in sales required moving the business into a cottage. With the addition of new games and greater interest by the public, a switch occurred. The family moved into the cottage and the business occupied the two stories of the old farm house.
Each game is made right here in this small shop in rural Canada. By hand, in small quantities. Where these games say MADE IN CANADA, we mean exactly that...not like some other companies who have gone from Made In China on their boxes to Assembled in Canada, meaning that the game parts are still made in China, but it looks better on the package to say Assembled in Canada. The games are made in small quantities, as a labor of love. And we're so happy to be bringing these cooperative games to you!
Q: What are your games made of?
A: All materials and manufacturing methods are environmentally friendly. Recycled boards and papers are used as well as soy-based inks, water based glues, safe paint on wooden parts and recycled corrugate packaging. Even the shrink wrap film can be recycled by a customer instead of being thrown away!
Customers Review our Children's Games
We LOVE hearing from our customer's about these games! These are honest to goodness reviews (you can't make this stuff up!) from families that have enjoyed playing co-operative games together.
From Andrea -
Hello,
We now have three of your games; Max, Let's go Sailing, and Claws and Caves. Our son, Evan, absolutely loves playing all of them and we have spent hours and hours enjoying them as a family over the xmas holidays. We even pretend that our daughter, Isabel (8 months) is playing too and Evan gets an extra turn on her behalf. I guess you probably hear this all the time but I think your company is simply terrific and the games are exactly what I was searching for.
Cooperative, child friendly concepts instead of gimmicks; imagination and brain power required instead of batteries; simple, locally assembled components instead of cheap complicated parts intended to break in the first few minutes after opening. It's a parent's dream come true!
Thank you and please keep up the good work!
