Lorraine Jean Hopping • Hopping Fun Creations
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.

E-mail me

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.

My Books and Games

Children's Books
Choose Your Move Adventures!
COMING LATER THIS YEAR: Adventures of a Crater Creature, The Stormy Voyage of Captain Reckless, and the Lost Pirates of Waylay Bay!
Chief Joseph: The Voice for Peace
COMING SEPT 2010, it's the sad, moving tale of the Nez Perce leader who lost his land, many of his people, and his life-long fight to keep the peace with settlers and soldiers. (Click for "Freebie" history puzzles.)
Bone Detective: The Story of Forensic Anthropologist Diane France
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!
Space Rocks: The Story of Planetary Geologist Adriana Ocampo
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! (Click for "Freebie" science quizzes.)
Crime Science
Autopsies/The Body as Evidence and Crime Scene Investigation!
Sports Hall of Fame
Venus and Serena, Peyton Manning, Michelle Kwan, and others for ages 6-9. (Click for "Freebie" sports quizzes.)
Today's Weather Is . . . A Book of Experiments
Outdoor fun for 6 to 9 year olds.
Wild Weather! Wild Earth!
Tornadoes! and Hurricanes! are my two best-selling books.
A NEW GAME!
Letter Perfect English
Coming soon, it's a must-have card game set for English language teachers and tutors. (Click for Freebies.)
Teacher's Books
Language Arts Games
Packed with ready–to-go, lively games and activities for teaching grammar, vocabulary, and dictionary skills. (Click for "Freebie" word search puzzles to download.)
25 Math Board Games!
This is my top seller for teachers. (Click for "Freebie" puzzles.)
Creative Approaches to Social Studies
15 Primary Source Activities: American History and American history games, both co-written by a middle school social studies teacher.
Game
Mars 2020
Race from Earth to Mars, an orbiting target, by fixing malfunctions and answering intriguing science questions. Or play the fast-paced, alternate version: a flat-out race, no questions asked.