Creature Comforts: Maple Valley Game

SKU
022111
Grade 3-AD
Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.
Our Price
$39.00 $39.00 $27.95
Rainbow Savings: $11.05
Description

After winter hibernation ends in Maple Valley, spring begins, and the critters that live there are excited to get ready for their annual Spring Festival.  The goal of this game is to bring the most joy to the festival and there are several ways to work towards preparing for this celebration with each one earning points at the end of the game. The player with the most points will be the winner at the start of the festivities and Maple Valley will celebrate the coming of a new year of comfort, community and prosperity!

Background, Review & Overview of the game:  In 2021 the first Creature Comforts game, which also takes place in Maple Valley, was published. In 2023,  the company introduced the Maple Valley game and after several plays, I have had an equally rewarding experience and I am thoroughly enjoying my time with it. 

Several different card types drive the game. Friend cards provide movement on the main board, resources, special actions and end game points. Each player also purchases Favour and Patch cards to earn special actions and game-end points. In addition, Festivity Cards provide common goals for all players to work towards additional game-end points.  These purchases are made using resources (called curiosities), which are collected as players move on the main board.

Game Rounds: There are five rounds to this game with each player taking a turn to use a Friend card to either move their critter marker through a trail or collect resources. At the end of each round, dawdle cards are added to the hands of players with the least number of friend cards to keep the number of turns equal across all players. Dawdle cards do not provide trail movement but furnish additional resources. Each round ends when everyone has played through their cards, after which they prepare for the next round.

Game Turns:  Turns consist of four steps.  1.) Play a friend or dawdle card.   2.) Move along trails using the travel area type allowed on the friend card and use additional map tokens for extra movement. 3.) Activate the location you end up on (whatever that location provides).  4.) Craft Favour cards when you have the resources needed to do so.

Game End:  After five rounds are complete, tally all end-game points and the person with the most points wins! 

Final Notes:  The instruction manual is clear, well organized and thorough with information provided in a very logical order. I found that all details and illustrations I needed were easy to find. There are also instructions for solo play. For 1-4 players with a 60-minute game time. ~Marsha

Publisher's Description of Creature Comforts: Maple Valley Game
The day the last snowflake of winter has melted away, all of the critters emerge from their cozy homes to celebrate...and that day is today! Maple Valley's annual Spring Festival is a gathering of friends welcoming the warm months ahead, and you don't have a lot of time to prepare!
Maple Valley is a game of traveling trails, finding friends, and celebrating new beginnings for 1-5 critters set in the world of Creature Comforts.
Details
More Information
Product Format:Other
Brand:Kids Table Board Gaming
Grades:3-AD
EAN/UPC:787416368640
Length in Inches:11.625
Width in Inches:8.5
Height in Inches:2.5
Weight in Pounds:3.1
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