Lately, whenever my kids want to play a game I push the cooperative games. My two boys might have a little competitive attitude problem. Over the holidays I learned about Canadian game company Family Pastimes and we were able to add Search & Rescue to our cooperative game collection. The whole family has been really enjoying this game so of course I had to share it with you as our game of the month.
Note: This post contains affiliate links.
About Search & Rescue Game
The premise of Family Pastimes Search and Rescue - A Co-operative Adventure Game is a bit nail-biting so hold on to your hats. 4 explores or groups of explorers are lost in 4 environments. It is up to the players to rescue the missing persons but they must do so before they are prevented by incoming storms. Special action cards can aid the rescue mission and players work together to make decisions about how best to bring everyone to safety. Very exciting, right?
Tips for playing Search & Rescue
- Unlike for the more complicated and competitive strategy games, that I have featured as games of the month, I don't need to give you a lot of tips for playing peacefully with the kids. This cooperative game lends itself to a peaceful game night!
- Family Pastimes Search and Rescue - A Co-operative Adventure Game is recommended for ages 8 and up. My 7 year old easily understood the rules and I think most kids 5 and up will not have any difficulty with the game, especially if there are parents at the game table. If your kids are younger than 5 I recommend one of the Family Pastime games geared for that age. (see next point.)
- Family Pastimes makes quite a few cooperative games so if a rescue themed games isn't your style. you might enjoy a mystery game, or mythical fairy creatures, or one of the many others. Family Pastimes make games in different skill levels (ages 3-7, 7 and up, 9 and up, 12 and up) so families with younger kids can enjoy a good cooperative game, too.
This game is also environmentally friendly! There are no plastic parts. The board is sturdy cardboard and all the pieces are made of heavy paper. From their website, "I use 100% recycled pasteboard, water based glues, non-toxic paints on my wooden pieces, soy-based and latex inks on recycled papers, corrugated containers from recycled papers, recyclable shrink film and even take care to pack shipments with materials that I secure from local retailers who are happy that I will honor the oft forgotten third R and that is to Reuse."
More cooperative games (and games that can be played cooperatively):
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Nicole L says
We LOVE Family Pastime games, I played them as a kid and now my 5 year old loves them. We haven't tried this one yet but it looks good!
Erica MomandKiddo says
That's good to know! I was really impressed with the game and the company. I'm so surprised I'd never heard of them before.