Cranium Dice

Cranium Dice - A chance to work on lots of hand skills.

Cranium is a line of games manufactured by Hasbro that are billed as "Games for your whole brain". Cranium games always require that players engage in multiple activities. As the Cranium Dice box shows (above) this game includes adding, saying, doing and finding.

This game consists of a number of custom dice that each have letters, pictures and numbers on them, a one-minute sand timer and playing cards. 

The cards are divided into four categories and titled:

• Stunt Double - Perform the action on the card. Follow the pattern cards and build structures with the dice or balance dice on your body.
• TallyHo - Add the numbers on the dice to equal the number on the card, anywhere from 8 to 18.
• Letter Mash-up - Complete the sentences. Examples: 1) Before anything else, I would train my dog to ________________; 2) I bet I could make a hat using only duct tape and a _______________. Use the letters on the dice to complete the sentence on the card.
• Pic 'N' Roll - Find all three images (on the dice) shown on the card. 

Game cards.

Object:
Collect the most cards by completing the most activities.

Set Up:
Shuffle the cards and count out 18. Place them in a pile face-down in the playing area. Set the rest of the cards off to the side, they will not be used for this round. Take the top three cards from the pile of 18 and turn them face-up. Place the dice and the timer in the playing area.

Play:
On a single turn, the player will try to complete the challenges from all three cards that have been turned up. Start the timer and throw all the dice and choose one of the cards to complete. Set aside any dice that will help you and then re-roll the rest of the dice. Keep this up until you have all the dice you need to finish the challenge. Set the card and the dice used to the side and work on another card challenge. Keep going until you either complete all three card challenges or your time runs out. Keep the cards that you completed. Any cards that were not completed stay in play. Turn up any additional cards that you need to total three for the next player. The next player starts his turn. Play until all 18 cards are gone. Players count their cards and the one with the most is the winner.

Try this:

• Skip the game, just use the cards. Go through the deck and take out any cards that you don't want to use. For instance if the player cannot read or add, take out those cards. Use just the pic 'n' roll cards if you just want to throw dice and match pictures. I have used just the stunt double cards in a session.
• Use both hands to shake the dice to begin with (one hand cupped over the top of the other), since 18 dice are a lot to hold at once.
• Make sure the player is cupping the hand as he shakes the dice. As the dice are used, switch to one-handed shaking. If the individual has trouble cupping the hand, place a small ball in the palm and then ask the player to keep his hand in that position as you remove the ball and add the dice.
• Hold the cards in the non-dominant hand and push each card off the deck with the thumb as you count out the pile of 18.
• Carefully pick each card off the top of the deck as you play, trying not to topple the deck as you go.
• Use the pic 'n' roll cards only. Instead of shaking the dice in the hand, ask the individual to pick up the dice, one at a time, and roll it in his finger tips looking for the pictures. Place each die picture-side-up as you find it, using only one hand. 
• Skip the timer and just work until you finish, if time pressure causes too much frustration.
• Skip the game and the timer, just complete the cards. Each player does one or two at a time instead of three to reduce the waiting time of other player(s).
• Work on visual discrimination, figure ground, visual form constancy, spelling, adding to 18, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, distal rotation, palmar arch development, coordinated use of both hands, in-hand manipulation, executive functioning skills, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 18 custom dice, 120 activity cards, timer

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.