Cooperative Games - Educational Cooperative Games for Children

Cooperative Board Games...a classic family pastime!

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.

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.

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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.

BUY COOPERATIVE BOARD GAMES NOW!

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.

Offset presses, silk screening equipment, table saws, various other woodworking tools and an assortment of old and new machines provide the technology. The Deacoves small family, some local people, and an eager bunch of students each summer provide the labor. The format is kept simple but attractive. 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!

Available Cooperative Games - there's something for everyone!

A Walk in the Woods,
Cooperative Game

Ah, a Walk in the Woods... to observe beautiful things such as Wild Flowers and Butterflies... to help each other gather Goodies such as Apples, Berries, Nuts and Herbs... to keep an eye out for nasty stuff such as Poison Ivy, Stinging Nettle, Biting Bugs, even Hot Sun... to share our Remedies to solve Problems we meet... and to plan together where to look next for Goodies and Remedies. Age 4-7, 1-8 players.

Canadian Toy Testing Top Rated Winner!

A Beautiful Place,
Cooperative Game

An ecology game for children! Planet Earth can be a beautiful place, shared by all. Sadly, it has been harmed and made ugly in lots of ways. Players work together to restore the beauty. Can they do it before the dark pollution clouds encircle the beautiful place? They have a much better chance if they work together.

Environmental concepts are presented in a simple way, offering children a message that they can make a difference. Or, just play it as an exciting nature game! Age 4-7, 1-8 players.

The Secret Door,
Cooperative Game

A mystery game! Valuables have been stolen, and we have to find them before Midnight. Together we search through the Mansion for clues. At Midnight, the Thieves may slip away with all the hidden booty!

Children enjoy figuring out the mystery of what is behind the Secret Door. Because of the co-operative principle, everyone is part of a team that discusses ideas and shares strategies. Each game is different - testing the memory and thinking skills of children and adults alike. Age 4-7, 1-8 players.

Canadian Toy Testing Top Rated Winner AND Parent's Choice Award Winner!

Caves & Claws ,
Cooperative Game

Caves & Claws is a fantasy game, featuring elements of suspense, careful planning, teamwork, danger and humor. The game has three parts. First, we have to hack out the Paths to the abandoned Caves and Temples. Second, using the connected paths, we search for and discover the Treasures. Finally we must return safely to Base Camp with what we gathered.

There are Dangers and Obstacles to avoid, such as The Creeping Claw, The Nasty Hairy Thing and Big Boulders rolling over Entrances! We may have to resort to whatever desperate Remedy we find in our knapsacks to save us — a Super Head Net, a Laser Lantern, a Piece of Broccoli, even a Smelly Sock! Yes, few creatures can face the Sock! Age 6-adult, 1-4 players.

Dr. Toy's Best Game of the Year Award Winner!

Canadian Toy Testing Top Rated Winner!

Princess, Cooperative Game

An exciting fantasy game giving thoughtful and imaginative play experience. Our princess is a sturdy little girl in the Castle who needs to be rescued from a Mean Guard and Fierce Dog. It's not going to be easy — and besides, Darkness is coming!

A delightful cooperative board game where players work together to help the strong-looking Princess (who is under a spell and locked in a castle) before nightfall. Things both "Magical" and "Practical" must be used to free her. For example, "Fireflies" are used to light the way, a "Special Key" to unlock the door. Children love this colorful game and its elements of nighttime and fantasy. Age 4-7, 1-4 players.

Then There Were None...,
Cooperative Game

Just released - a new cooperative game about endangered species. A lot of creatures are disappearing because they are being over-hunted and their natural habitats destroyed. Can we do the needed research to initiate Laws and Conservation Methods to save as many endangered species as we can?

Lots of decision making for each player. The basic game plays quickly, with advanced rules for older players! Age 9-Adult, 1-12 players.

Zen Blocks ,
Cooperative Game

A popular cube game for thinking and intuitive players.

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.

Cooperative games are designed to bring out the best in every player - and after only a few short plays, we think you'll agree that this is the case. Each cooperative game contains 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 our children. We hope you find as much enjoyment playing these games as we do!