Mancala in Pyjamas
Earlier this week I published a post about gifting your children with your favourite pastimes and I also introduced my kids to Mancala.
Originating in Africa, this is an ancient game of moving markers around a wooden board. The rules are simple enough to learn as you go along, but once learnt that’s when you start your strategies. Thinking ahead is vital and children also learn counting skills. It’s also great for teaching a little finger dexterity.
My mancala board and stones are more than sixteen years old! I’m surprised that I’ve never lost one of the little glass stones, which look like flattened marbles. I think the main reason is that they never have to leave the board an when playing is over the board folds up with the stones inside. If I did lose some though they could always be replaced with garden stones, buttons or basically anything so long as they were not too big. Sometimes you end up with quite a few in the little pot.
If you didn’t have a board though, you could always make your own. Egg boxes are perfect as you have the six little pots needed. You’d just need two with two end pots. I like this egg box up cycling version
Have you ever played Mancala? Have you passed on one of your favourite games to your children?
I am sure I have played this many years ago. It seems familiar.
Those stones are so pretty x
I don’t know this game but I’m sure it would appeal because of the pretty stones. I passed on a fast card game called split to my children. #MySundayPhoto
I’ve never played it – or even heard of it, but I do like a game that’s easy to learn, but then takes time to master! The little colourful pieces make for an interesting photo.
I’ve not heard of the game but what a lovely one to pass along, I do like traditional games.
I’m sure we’ve played this before, my girls love playing games as a family.
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
My students taught me when I was teaching, but I always had a game in my classroom. It is a great game and it stores well over time.
I love board games but I haven’t heard of this one. Looks like fun to me. #MMBC
I’ve never heard of this one, but it looks like a lot of fun and one my little one would love xx
I have never heard of mancala before but it looks like a great game of strategy #mmbc
That looks a cool game, they look like they are playing lovely together X #mmbc
I’m sure we got given a game like this year which we have never played. I’m going to have to dig it out and give it a go now!