Zoo Webs is a card game built around the rich world of wild animals that offers a variety of ways to play. It develops problem solving skills in a way that is accessible to preschoolers, enjoyable to kids, but is also challenging to parents.

We have re-launched the project to ensure it could get into as many hands as possible. I have opted to go with an awesome print-on-demand game manufacturer, the Gamecrafter (which created the prototypes in the video). This will avoid the ballooned overall project goal cost and allow us to ship Zoo Webs to anyone in the world. If by chance we explode, I will revisit traditional game manufacturers.

Although printing 1000 copies certainly saves on per item cost, it became clear that the overall cost of those orders would not allow the project to get off the ground. I predicted that we would barely be able to fund the project as originally created and not allow any time for the game to grow with AWESOME STRETCH GOALS! Like...

After we reach $500, we will add 14 animals to the game! (HIT IN 20 MINUTES) -- Game now has 60 animals

After we reach $1,000, we will add 12 more animals to the game for a total of 72 cards! (HIT IN 26 HOURS) -- Game now has 72 animals!

After we reach $1,500, we will add 12 more animals to the game for a total of 84 cards! 

"If you are looking for a family game that will entertain and educate, look no further. Zoo Webs is sure to please and keep the conversation going at your family gaming table." -- Father Geek

Create a fun and engaging educational game that is simple enough that preschool children can play and win, but complex enough that adults fully use their brains. Emphasis on skill, not on luck.

On the wild side, the goal is to help children learn about different species, world regions and understand conservation status.

In this project, we hope we can build a community that plays a role in making the game bigger! We're hopeful that if we get to streeeetch we can include your voice and votes to select more species!

Every upgrade we make, will be included in every deck purchased!

What's included? We are starting at 45 cards. The more backers, the more cards. The deal I made with my son is that if we can find more people to buy the game, then I will make the biggest, coolest game I can possibly make!

More cards also equal more players more awesome animals and more fun!

We have worked with an artist to find a realistic style that we love. We wanted to avoid overly happy childish animals. We went with eyes that are a little diversion from reality mainly to make the animals more engaging which can help pull in the littlest Zoo Webbers. 

We have opted for a clean, uncluttered card to allow for fast, focused and engaged gameplay.

The game will be printed with vegetable-based ink!

Getting Started:  On each card is an animal species and on each side of the square are that animal's: Classification, Diet, Conservation Status (from the IUCN, used with permission) and World Region. These will be used to match cards that are played in the game. Depending on the game style chosen, a player's cards may be face-down or held. 

Making Connections: Only cards that have a link (a correct match) can be played off of another. When the game area begins to get larger it, playing cards may require more than one side to match. Every side of the card must match. In some games there are rewards for playing cards with 2, 3, or 4 connections (a double, triple or quadruple link).

While there are many ways that you can use the cards, we have developed and tested five different games. However parents can let the kids develop their own set of rules to empower their creativity!

-5 Ways to Play-

Beaver (Puzzle) - Cards are turned over by each player. The goal is to build an individual web that uses all of their cards. The first person to construct a web that uses all of their cards wins. There are no rewards for double, triple or quadruple links.

Cheetah (Speed) - Cards are face-down. A card from the extras is flipped as the center card. The goal is to play your cards as fast as you can, flipping only the top card at a time. If a player plays a card that makes two or more links, they yell "Cheetah Freeze!" to halt the other players. If it makes a double link, they can play their next card free. If it makes triple or quadruple link, they can play their next two or three cards free. "Cheetah Speed!" restarts the action. If players cannot play their cards they can put their card on the bottom of their stack and flip their next card. The first person that plays all of their cards wins.

Eagle (Strategy) - Cards are held. A card from the extras is flipped as the center card. Going clockwise, players can play any card from their hand. If a player plays a card with a double link, they get another turn. If a player plays a card with triple or quadruple link, they will get two or three more turns. If a player cannot play, they draw a card from the pile and lose their turn. The first player that plays all of their cards wins.

Scorpion (Battle) - Cards are face-down. A card from the extras is flipped as the center card. When a player says "Scorpion!" players flip their top card. The first player to play their card wins the round. The other players must put their card on the bottom of their stack. If a player plays a card with double link, they can play their next card free. If a player plays a card with triple link or quadruple link, they can play their next two or three cards free. The first person that plays of their cards wins.

Termite (Cooperative or Solo) - This can be done individually or cooperatively in groups. The goal is to build rectangular designs with as many cards as they can play correctly. Being more familiar with the animals and their traits will be helpful. Playing all of the cards in a rectangular shape may end up being impossible, but making the biggest rectangle (or perfect square for a bigger challenge) is a record the players can keep trying to break. Can you build a 5x5? A 6x6?

Variations of Play: (1) Players can be dealt more cards in each style. (2) The Game Area can be defined. Perhaps cards can only be played if they can fit on the table. (3) You can require the players to articulate the match(es) they've made. For example: "Giant Panda and Orca Whale are Mammals". (4) Children may develop their own game style... AWESOME!

- Am I qualified for this awesome project? -

I have eight years of experience as a public educator and school administrator from kindergarten to high school. These opportunities have allowed me to explore the meta cognition that goes into learning and have observed the best practices of dynamic educators. 

As a school administrator, I've worked with significant budgets and project planning. 

I also founded my own curriculum business for engaging, high interest math resources that are available on TeachersPayTeachers.com. I am currently in the top six all-time high school sellers on the website. This experience has lead me down a path of understanding LLCs, business checking accounts, profit margins, marketing and all those lovely nuts and bolts. 

As a graphic designer, I've done freelance work and can do most of that work in house (despite the original art which I must contract for). 

As a daddy, I know what's fun and am a self-proclaimed “awesome toy picker”.

My team is small and generally lives with me. 

My son, Zoo Boy, helps select and research animals that create a balance of conservation statuses and are from different parts of the world. He selects a wide range to include some that are familiar favorites and others that are intriguing species. He also provides feedback and direction on the artwork and corrects most problems with the anatomy.

My wife is quality control. Since she has pretty much read all of these animal facts to our children, she has learned quite a bit herself. She also has an Early Childhood Degree and can spell better than me. 

My daughter, Zoo Girl, likes to dance and that lightens the mood. 

My brother is on board to help with technical aspects including this Kickstarter Campaign, the videos, web interface and database for records and fulfillment. He's interested in creating his own business so this is like a mini-test drive for him!

My artist Emmanuel is tremendous talent and all around great guy. He has a great feel for the project and the mission. Hire him! Check out his portfolio at https://www.freelancer.com/u/esart.html

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