A method for playing a game comprising the steps of selecting a story having a plurality of characters using one of a plurality of spin boards. Thereafter, randomly designating the plurality of characters from the selected story to a plurality of game players using the spin board and acting out the selected story.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game, and more specifically, to a game involving the theater and role playing. The game includes at least 3 spin boards, one of which is made from erasable material and comes blank and includes a pen for writing on the blank spin board. The present invention also provides for varying the spinner appearance using “fairy”-fable characters or other graphic images that would appeal to small children or early readers. The spinner may also be enlarged so that it may be placed on an easel for use in a classroom. The game further includes a plurality of play texts and character cards corresponding to the characters in the plays which are stored in a respective one of a plurality of packets. The game also includes a plurality of character card holders, preferably shaped like fortune cookies. Players spin the spinner to determine which play text will be acted out. Upon determining the play text used, players then insert the character cards, corresponding to the selected play, into the character card holders. The character card holders are scrambled. Players then choose a character card holder to determine which character they will play in the scene being acted out.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous other games exist in the prior art. However, no game exists where players randomly choose plays and characters and then re-enact scenes from the plays. It is desirable to have a game that fosters supportive family interactions, in part by not having a loser in the game. It is also desirable to have a game that incorporates fun with reading/learning. While prior art games may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game, and more specifically, to a game involving the theater and role playing. The game includes at least 3 spin boards, one of which is made from erasable material and comes blank and includes a pen for writing on the blank spin board. The present invention also provides for varying the spinner appearance using “fairy”-fable characters or other graphic images that would appeal to small children or early readers. The spinner may also be enlarged so that it may be placed on an easel for use in a classroom. The game further includes a plurality of play texts and character cards corresponding to the characters in the plays which are stored in a respective one of a plurality of packets. The game also includes a plurality of character card holders, preferably shaped like fortune cookies. Players spin the spinner to determine which play text will be acted out. Upon determining the play text used, players then insert the character cards, corresponding to the selected play, into the character card holders. The character card holders are scrambled. Players then choose a character card holder to determine which character they will play in the scene being acted out.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

Another, secondary object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play that fosters positive family interaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that encourages reading.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein players of different ages can participate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein pre-selected plays are filled in on a spin board.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein a blank spin board is provided to allow the players to selectively determine which plays could be selected.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein the play includes a play text which details a scene to be acted out and characters to be used when acting out the scene.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein a packet is provided for housing each respective play text and the character cards for use in acting out that play.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein each character card represents a character in a play.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game including a plurality of character card holders, preferably formed as fortune cookies for removably retaining character cards therein.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein players choose a fortune cookie and thereby choose the character they will play in the play re-enactment.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game wherein the players act out the play that was selected by the spin board.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that is simple and easy to use.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a Spin-A-Play game that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a family game where players randomly choose plays and characters and then re-enact scenes from the plays. It is desirable to have a game that fosters supportive family interactions, in part by not having a loser in the game. It is also desirable to have a game that incorporates fun with reading/learning.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.

10game of the present invention11top end of spin board12spin board13bottom end of spin board14spinner15sections16play names18character card holder19top side of character card20character card21bottom side of character card22play text24packet25top of blank spin board26blank spin board27bottom of blank spin board28child30blank character cards32flap34flap aperture36fastener38table40pivot42pivot point

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 through 8illustrate the Spin-A-Play game of the present invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral10.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a spin board12of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention. The spin board12can be formed in any geometric shape. Shown herein, the spin board12is circularly shaped. The spin board12has a top end11and a bottom end13. The top end11is demarcated into a plurality of equal sized sections15. Shown herein, there are ten wedge-shaped sections15. The spin board12having ten wedge-shaped sections is shown for purposes of example only and the spin board12may include any number of even shaped sections. Alternatively, the section15could be unevenly sized or have an alternating patter of even and uneven sized sections15therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, a different play name16is already displayed in each section15. A spinner14is located in the middle of the spin board12. The spinner14is pivotally connected to the spin board12at substantially a center point thereof by a pivot40. Shown herein, the spinner14is shaped like an arrow. However, the spinner14may be shaped in any manner that makes readily apparent the section15to which it is pointed.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of displaying play names on each section15of the spin board12, characters or graphic images can be displayed to encourage younger people to participate.

The spinner14is caused to pivot about pivot point42and rotates 360 degrees until the spinner14stops within a respective one of the sections15on the spin board12. The game is then played out in a manner that will be discussed hereinafter with specific reference toFIGS. 2-8. After a first user has spun the spinner14, a second different user repeats the above described process and spins the spinner14. Players continue this until it is determined and/or decided that the Spin-A-Play game10is over.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a character card holder18of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present claimed invention. The character card holder18can have a plurality of different shapes. The character card holder18is made from a durable material that is non-toxic and non-hazardous to children. Additionally, the character card holder18is of a size big enough not to be easily ingested by a child.

The character card holder18is a hollow body for retaining a character card20therein. The character card holder18has at least one opening for easy insertion and removal of the character card20. At least one edge of the character card20sticks out of the opening in the character card holder18for easy removal therefrom. Preferably the character card holder18is shaped like a fortune cookie. However, the character card holder18can be any shape that is aesthetically pleasing, easy to use and able to encourage and foster a happy game play environment.

The character card20discloses the name of a character. The names of the characters correspond to the characters in the play selected as described inFIG. 1. The play is selected when the spinner14is caused to pivot about pivot point42. The spinner14rotates 360 degrees until the spinner14stops within a respective one of the sections15on the spin board12which determines the play. After a first user has spun the spinner14, a second different user repeats the above described process and spins the spinner14. Players continue this until it is determined and/or decided that the Spin-A-Play game10is over.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the character cards20of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present claimed invention. Each play associated with the Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention includes a plurality of characters to act out. The name of each character to act out is displayed on a top side19of the character card20. The character card20is shaped so as to be easily inserted and removed from the character card holder18. Herein the character cards20are rectangular in shape. The name of the character displayed on the character card20is displayed such that when an edge of the character card20sticks out of the character card holder18for easy removal, the character name is not visible to the player.

During the game, after a play has been selected, the character cards20associated with that play are inserted into the character card holders18. The character card holders18are scrambled. Each player picks a character card holder18from the pile of scrambled character card holders18. Each player removes the character card20from the character card holder18. The name of the character listed on the character card20is the character they will be playing during the re-enactment of the play.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present claimed invention. Shown herein is a blank spin board26. The blank spin board26has a top end25and a bottom end27. The top end25is made from an erasable material. The blank spin board26is demarcated into a plurality of equal sized sections15similar to the pre-filled in spin board12described inFIG. 1. In this embodiment, the user is able to write their own selections16in each of the sections15. This allows the user to incorporate plays from alternate sources, such as from personally drafted plays or from plays not included with the Spin-A-Play game10.

This embodiment also includes a plurality of blank character cards30. The blank character cards30are similar to the character cards20described herein with reference toFIG. 3except that they are made from an erasable material to permit the users to fill in the characters from the plays from alternate sources.

During game play, the players write the name of a play they would potentially like to act out in each of the blank sections15on the blank spin board26. The spinner14is spun, and a play is selected. The players then write the name of a character from the selected play on each of the blank character cards30. These character cards30are inserted into inserted into the character card holders18. The character card holders18are scrambled. Each player picks a character card holder18from the pile of scrambled character card holders18. Each player removes the character card30from the character card holder18. The name of the character listed on the character card30is the character they will be playing during the re-enactment of the play.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of a play text22of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present claimed invention. Each play text22details a play and includes lines for each of the characters in the play. In an alternate embodiment, each play text22includes several versions of the play for use with different numbers of characters to be acted out. This is useful when only 2 people want to act out the play but the play in the original format calls for 5 people to act out the play. The Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention includes the number of play texts22equal to the maximum number of possible characters to act out in that particular play. For example, if the players can act out Chicken Little using 5 characters, 4 characters, 3 characters or 2 characters, the game will include 5 Chicken Little play texts22.

The Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention can be used in a plurality of situations. For example, the game10could be used in a classroom to teach reading skills, creative writing skills, history lessons, literature, values, social interactions and public speaking. The game10could also be used at birthday parties and other family get-togethers. Alternatively, the game10could be used during children's play-dates or in camps on rainy days.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a packet24of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present claimed invention. Each play included with the Spin-A-Play game10is contained within a respective packet24. When the particular play is not in use, the packet24houses the plurality of play texts22and the character cards20. Shown herein, the packet24is rectangular in shape. However, the packet24can be of any geometric shape provided that it retains the play texts22and character cards20therein. The packet24includes an opening at one end thereof for inserting and removing the packet24contents. Located near the open end of the packet24is a fastener36. The packet24includes a selectively closable flap32at the open end thereof. The flap32is attached at one end to the packet24. Shown herein, the flap32contains an aperture32. When the fastener36and the aperture32are aligned and secured, the contents of the packet24cannot fall out.

The game10is also selectively expandable. For example, the packets24could be sold separately or obtained over a communication network such as the Internet wherein the packets24are able to be downloaded from at least one of the world wide web, FTP site and a newsgroup. The packets24could also come in a variety of different age ranges so that age-appropriate stories are available. It would also be possible to tie-in a play with one of the popular television personalities at the time, such as Dora the Explorer. In terms of educational purposes, a packet having a play text describing the meeting of the first Continental Congress or the text from the Scarlet Letter could be included. These scenarios are described for purposes of example only and any scenario can be included in a respective one of the packets24for use with the spin-a-play10of the present invention.

FIG. 7is an illustrative view of the Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention. The Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention includes a plurality of packets24, a plurality of blank character cards30, and a plurality of spin boards12, including a blank spin board26. Each packet24houses a plurality of play texts22and a plurality of character cards20corresponding to the characters in the respective play text22.

Shown herein, two children28are acting out a play. The children28have spun the spinner14of the spin board12, thereby selecting a play to re-enact. They then emptied the contents of the packet24corresponding to the selected play onto a table38. The children28inserted the character cards20into the character card holders18and shuffled them. Each child28chose a character card holder18and removed the character card20therefrom to ascertain which character they would be playing. Using the play texts22, the children28act out the play.

FIG. 8is a flow diagram detailing the manner in which players play the Spin-A-Play game10of the present invention. In step S100, the players decide which spin board to use. Upon completion of step S100, there are three potential choices of spin boards that could be made. In step S102, the player chooses an adult spin board having adult play options. In step S104, the player chooses a child spin board having child age appropriate plays. In Step S106, the player chooses a blank spin board wherein the players are able to fill in the desired plays. Should the player choose a blank spin board as shown in step S106, the player then uses erasable ink to fill in the name of each play in the demarcated sections15thereon as shown in step S107. After completing any of step S102, S104, and S107, the game proceeds at step S108where the players spin the spinner on the spin board to determine which play to act out. When the spinner stops spinning as shown in step S110, a first end thereof points to a play which the players are required to act out. In step S112, the players select the packet corresponding to the selected play shown in the section on the spin board. The players remove the play texts and the character cards from the packet in step S114. The character cards are inserted into the character card holders in step S116. In step S118, the character card holders are scrambled. In step S120, each player selects a character card holder and removes the character card to determine which character they will be playing. The players act out the play as per the play text in step S122. The game10as shown herein can be selectively repeated in any variation beginning of step S100or any other step described hereinabove.