Bear Went Over the Mountain (2017)

About this game

It's a lovely fall day, and Bear wants to go for a hike to see what she can see. Two to four players each build their own hikes full of animals, trees, hills, and valleys by laying out a landscape of cards. Bear knows what she likes, and the player with the most interesting hike wins! Bear Went Over the Mountain is a card-laying and set-collection game for preschoolers, ages 4 and up. Players choose goals, such as spotting the most bluebirds, squirrels, or skunks, then select and play cards into a landscape. Scoring relies on counting, as well as simple addition and subtraction. Although some reading skill is helpful, pictures and color icons are on every card for those still learning their ABCs. Designed as part of the 2017 Children's Game Print and Play Design Contest. 'Big kids' may opt to play with variant rules for a more difficult card-drafting multiplayer game, or attempt a solitaire version, too.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 4. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 1.0/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 4 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.