Games encourage learning in fun ways. The Mancala game for kids teaches them to think and count strategically. Mancala is an old family game that originated in Africa about 4,000 years ago and is also known as the sowing game or the count-and-capture game. Mancala is suitable for adults and children alike, so it’s the perfect addition to the family room. The two-person game can be played using marble, plastic, or wood. In ancient times, people used seeds, stones, and even beans to play Mancala. If you’re intrigued by this fascinating game, we’ve included the rules and fundamentals you need to know to play Mancala. Let the game begin.
Rules Of The Mancala Game
Depending on the variant of the game, there are different rules of captures. In most of the versions of Mancala, the object is the capture the most beads or stones. And the rules of the game are simple enough for kids to learn. Some Mancala rules for kids include:
Begin the game by placing a specified number of beads in each small pocket.
Let the players take turns at ‘sowing; and ‘capturing’ the seeds. A player will sow the ‘seeds’ or beads by selecting a pocket, scooping up all the seeds in that pocket and then dropping a bead in each of the pocket adjacent to the starting pit.
Variations Of Mancala
There are two main varieties of Mancala- Kalah, which is a children’s game and Oware, which can be played by both kids and adults.
1. Kalah:
Kalah, as mentioned earlier, is the Mancala for Kids. The rules of this game were invented by William Julius Champion, an American. The game is ideal for kids aged 3 to 10. The objective of the game is to collect the most beads by the end of the day before one player clears their side of beads or pieces. Set Up:
In Kalah, the game board has two rows of six small pits or pockets, with a large storage pit at each end. Place the board between the two players. The six pockets or cups will make the playing area. The big bowl to the right is Mancala. It’s here the captured pieces will be kept.
Each player will get 12 beads. Place four beads on each of the 12 pockets. If your kid is a beginner, then you can start with just three beads in each pocket.
The Game:
2. Oware:
Oware, a variant of Mancala is a tad more complicated game recommended for kids aged 11 and up. Set Up: The game board for Oware is similar to Kalah. It consists of six small pits or pockets with two storage pits. Even the ‘sowing’ is similar to Kalah. While sowing:
The players can pick one of the smaller houses in their row
They players can scoop out all the beads or seeds in that house and
By moving counterclockwise, the players can drop one seed in each of the small houses until they have sown all the seeds in their hand.
Rules: The sowing may be simple, but the rules of the game are entirely different.
Make Your Own Mancala
You can even make your own Mancala board with your child to increase interest in the game. Here’s a simple DIY for your help. Follow this Mancala directions for kids: You Will Need:
Cardboard egg carton with six columns on each side.
Acrylic paint
Scissors
48 beads, pebbles or dried beans
Two small glass jars
How To:
