Rave reviews, five stars, at Amazon.com!

Now in its 14th year of publication, Mars 2020: A Space Exploration Game has won numerous awards:

Hearthsong Award of Excellence
Parent's Choice
"Best Board Game" selection by Parents Magazine
Dr. Toy "100 Best Children's Products and 10 Best Games"
Chicago Tribune "Holiday Gift Pick"

From Jack Lousma, U.S. Astronaut:


To Fellow Space Pioneers,

The urge to explore lies deep within us all; whether that means crossing the next mountain, the next ocean or the next galaxy. Today, our next frontier is Mars. Reaching frontiers, though takes more than desire. It takes knowledge, commitment, courage and planning. Valuable traits no matter what your life's quest.

Mars 2020 captures the spirit and the challenge of space travel. As I reviewed the game, memories of my time in space returned to me in many ways. And who knows? Among the young minds ignited by this game, perhaps one will plant the first footstep on Mars.

Until then, enjoy the game. And keep on exploring!

Jack Lousma
U.S. Astronaut


Just a Joke


Q. What's an astronaut's favorite sandwich?
A. Launch meat.

Q. Why didn't the astronaut go to Mars?
A. He didn't planet that way.

Q. Why are haircuts better in space?
A. They're a cut above.

Q. Why do neutrons always get freebies?
A. Because they're never charged.

Q. How do atoms choose their leaders?
A. They hold an electron.

EMAIL LORRAINE
EMAIL LOUISE (Readalicious! blog)

Mars 2020: A Space Exploration Board Game

Mars 2020 is a family board game that kids (ages 8 and up) and parents can enjoy together by playing on different ability levels.

Players choose a role: doctor, pilot, scientist, or engineer. They start their journey on Earth and zoom toward Mars. Each time they encounter a malfunction, they correct the problem by answering questions, getting orders from Mission Control, or by being an expert in a certain field (their chosen role). The winner is the first player to land on Mars, a moving target that orbits the board throughout the game.

Check out the rave reviews at Amazon.com.

My Other Board Games


I have invented and developed a dozen board games which are now available in used copies at sites like Board Game Geek. A few popular titles:

Top Dog! Live the Life of Rover in 6 Fun Games (a bestseller in Finland!)
Nova True Science (900 questions!) and True Math (450 puzzlers!)
In the Land of Egypt
A Time for Native Americans
Who's at Home in the Animal Habitats?
Guess It: 9 Science Classification Games
Feeding Frenzy: A Population Balance Game

All the material on this website is copyright © 2000-2010 by Hopping Fun Creations. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to visitors to download, print, and use the "Freebie" reproducibles free of charge for educational use only. Reproduction, reposting, or distribution in any form or media is prohibited without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Featured Books and Games

Children's Books
Read the sad, moving tale of a peace-loving leader who lost his land, many of his people, and his life-long fight to keep the peace with settlers and soldiers. (FREEBIE history puzzles.)
Is it possible to fall in love with bones? Try not to, after you read about Diane France's true-life science adventures, searching for and examining skeletons. A 2006 Outstanding Science Trade Book "Selector's Choice" (NSTA/CBC). Starred review in Booklist. 2007 Finalist, SB&F "Young Adult" science books!
How did a young Argentine with an endless imagination make her dream of exploring space come true? Adriana Ocampo found her path to science adventure through space-traveling robots and crashing asteroids and comets! (FREEBIE science quizzes, FREE ebooks.)
Autopsies/The Body as Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation!
Venus and Serena, Peyton Manning, Michelle Kwan, and others for ages 6-9. (FREEBIE sports quizzes.)
Outdoor fun for 6 to 9 year olds.
Tornadoes! and Hurricanes! are my two best-selling books with 1.6 million sold!
Games
Seeking an educational game publisher: It's a must-have card game set for English and language arts teachers and tutors. (FREEBIE English materials.)
This is my top seller for teachers. (Click for "Freebie" puzzles.)
Packed with ready–to-go, lively games and activities about grammar, vocabulary, and dictionary skills. (FREEBIE word puzzles.)
A collection of Great American History Games and 15 Primary Source Activities (plays, scripts, games, readings, and more)
Race from Earth to Mars, an orbiting target, by fixing malfunctions and answering intriguing science questions. Endorsed by astronaut Jack Lousma.