Rolit

Rolit - Small balls, just right for in-hand manipulation.

Rolit is a fun game that can shift dramatically from turn to turn. The object is to have the most balls with your color showing on top at the end of the game. Do you think you will be able to see your patterns in the busy background?

The black, plastic game board (grid) sits flat on the table. There are 64 holes and there are 64 balls, one for each hole, so don't lose any. Each plastic ball has four colors and when you place one on the grid you turn it so that your color is on top, indicating that is your space. Balls easily roll within the holes, but not easily enough to shift positions unintentionally.

A fun game that takes thinking and strategy. I see there is a junior version available too that has 36 holes instead of 64.

Object:
Have the most balls with your color on top at the end of the game. The game ends when all balls are on the grid.

Set up:
Place the board between the players. Divide the balls evenly between the players. Up to four people can play, as there are four colors.
 
Play:
Players take turns. Each turn you are allowed to place one ball onto the grid with your color on the top. It plays like Othello - once you have your color balls at each end of a line (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), you can turn all the balls along that line to your color. The same line of balls may be turned numerous times during one game as different players claim the end spaces. The game is over when the grid is full. Each player counts their balls and a winner is declared.

Try this:

• Turn the balls on the table so that most do not have the individual's color on top. Ask him to pick up each ball on his turn and rotate it in the fingertips of one hand to orient to his color before placing in the grid. Don't use the table top, two hands, or the body for support.
• Make an 8 X 8 pattern card and color in the circles for a pattern activity, instead of a game.

 

• Make a pattern card as above. Leave the balls in the grid after the first pattern is created and give a second pattern card. Roll each ball in its place to match the second pattern card.
• Hold three or four balls in the hand and on each turn, bring them one at a time to the fingertips to orient and place.
• Work on spatial relations, visualization, visual closure, visual discrimination, figure ground, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, finger dexterity, finger isolation, critical and analytical thinking, social interaction, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: One plastic grid with 64 holes (8 X 8), 64 balls

Ages 7+, 2-4 players
If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below to go to Amazon.com