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Mancala Math Game

Jan 6, 20133,850 views
Math Play
Mancala Math Game Save
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by TurkeyMom in Math Play

Ages3–6 yrs
Prep5 min
Activity15 min
Leveleasy
MessLow
Works for1:1 · Small group

A very simple egg-carton version of the age-old Mancala game. Players drop glass gems one by one into the slots and say how many are in each, which practices counting, addition and memory.

⚠️ Safety first

  • Glass gems are small enough to swallow or choke on. Supervise closely and keep them away from children who still mouth objects.
  • Count the gems back into a container after play so none are left on the floor.

Steps

  1. Set a 6-slot egg carton between two players, with a small container for each player's captured gems.

  2. Have the child count 3 gems into each slot.

  3. Scoop up all the gems from one slot on your side and drop one gem into each slot in turn, going counter-clockwise.

  4. Each time you drop a gem, ask: "How many in this slot now?"

  5. When you run out of gems, scoop up the gems from the slot where you stopped and keep dropping.

  6. When you add a gem to a slot the child has been keeping track of, ask how many it holds now. If they answer by adding rather than counting (it had 4, add 1, now it has 5), they capture the gems.

  7. Switch roles: now the child scoops and drops while you answer.

  8. Once both players have had a turn and the gems run out, start the game all over again.

Tips

  • It is actually a pretty simple and straightforward game. It just sounds complicated in words!from the author
  • We kept it as simple as possible, with very few gems and few egg carton slots. Once the kids get the hang of it, move on to more gems and cartons with more slots.from the author
  • It's both a memory game and an addition game. By the middle of the game the child has to remember the number of gems in at least 4 slots.from the author
  • Counting the gems into the slots at the start is great counting practice for preschoolers.from the author
  • The rules differ by region (India, parts of Africa and Southeast Asia). If you are totally unfamiliar with Mancala, watch a video of the game first.from the author

Make it your own

  • Vary the number of gems in each slot each time you play.
  • Use an egg carton with more slots for older or more experienced kids.
  • Gross motor math: a Human Board Game from True Aim Education.
  • Fine motor fun: a super simple math dice game from In Lieu of Preschool.
  • Fun with foam blocks: shape symmetry play from Mama Pea Pod.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · January 2013
Mancala Math Game
I came up with a very simple game using egg cartons and gem stones, loosely adapted from Mancala, played for ages in India, parts of Africa and South East Asia.
1 / 5

Mancala Math Game: the original post

Creating fun math activities seems to be our motto for this week. With the ABC’s of Math that took off today, you can see what you can do with egg cartons and much more. Click here to take a look at our series. I used an egg carton for his game loosely adapted on the Mancala game. This game has been played for ages in India, parts of Africa and South east Asia. The manipulatives/counter used for this range from shells to pebbles and stones. To learn more about this amazing, age-old math game please visit here. The rules differ according to the region. I have 2 sample videos here: The African version and the Indian version. I suggest you take a look at them if you are totally unfamiliar with the game. I came up with a very simple game using egg cartons and gem stones. Use as many or as few gems and egg carton slots you see fit with your kid’s age and interest. I’ll show an example with a small egg carton with 6 slots. Have 2 small containers for each player to store the “captured” gems. Step 1: I had Big A (pre schooler) to add 3 gem stones in each slot. Great for counting Step 2: I scooped up all the gems from a slot on my side and started dropping one gem in each slot in a counter-clockwise direction. Step 3: Each time I added a gem, I ask “How many in this slot now?” : Great for addition. Step 4: I go on until I run of gems and scoop another set of gems from the slot I stopped at. Step 5: By now, Big A has to remember the number of gems in at least 4 slots. Step 6 : Continue the same method and once I hit the slot which had 4 gems, I add 1 more and ask her ” How many gems in this slot” If she answers without counting and just by adding ( It had 4 gems already add 1 and now it has 5) she gets to “capture” all the coins. Once she captures, it is her turn to do the same for me. Here are some pictures for easy reference math games math games for kids1 math games for kids2 math addition games Once both the players get a turn, we run out of gems and we start the game all over again. Each time you can vary the number of gems in each slot, increase the carton slots etc. As you can see, it is both a memory game and an addition game. We kept it as simple as possible with very few gems and few egg carton slots. Once the kids get the hang of it, you can move to more gems and egg cartons with more slots. It is actually pretty simple and straight forward game but just sounds complicated in words!

If Mancala is not up your alley, we have a few more math based games for you to try from other bloggers.

Gross Motor Math Fine Motor fun dice game

Monkeys in a Barrel Fun with foam blocks

Stay tuned for the second installment of the ABC series tomorrow.

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  1. spdmama · Jan 2013

    Welcome to a new Linky Party for Kid-Focused Bloggers. Monday Kid Corner is a place to share your kid-friendly activities and crafts. Please join us at See you there!

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