Connect 4 - Five Ways

Connect 4 - Play 5 ways!

This Connect 4 version has an extra column down each side and boasts 5 ways to play. I was excited to see this game, because I thought with the extra grid column down each side there would be more places to play. Nope. The extra columns that attach to each side are printed cardboard. Yes, it will give you an extra piece in each direction so that you can get 5 in a row, but you have to plan around their images. The cardboard side columns are removable.

5 ways to play:

• Original
• Pop Out
• Pop 10
• Pop Up
• 5-in-a-row

Try this:

• Ask the individual to hold two or three checkers in-hand at once. Each turn, have him move one checker to the fingertips to play.
• Make a paper pattern of the grid. Color in the circles with red and yellow. Place the pattern next to, or in front of the grid and ask the person to make the colored pattern on the grid instead of playing a game.
• Fill the grid with the checkers, in several lines of four going in different directions. Ask the individual to find and point out all the Connect 4's that he can see on the grid. To start easier, look for all of one direction at a time, such as all horizontal, then all vertical, etc.
• Practice just dropping the checkers in the slot at the top. Make a random pattern or just free play.
• Remember the rule for all four-in-a-row games: Don't let your opponent get three in a row with a blank on each side.
• Work on visual closure, visual discrimination, figure ground, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, spatial relations, eye hand coordination, executive functioning skills, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: Plastic grid, 2 cardboard side pieces, 21 red and 21 yellow checkers
Ages 6+, 2 players

For more information, click on the image below.