Blokus Junior

Use the game mats to teach this game to beginners.

I've already blogged about the original Blokus game, so now it's time for Blokus Junior. This game has the same type (but smaller) board, similar pieces and plays the same as the original Blokus, but has something that the original game does not have - the addition of game mats for single player games designed to teach the game to beginners.  

All the pieces are plastic and the grid on the game board is raised so the pieces don't move around. The board is a 14 X 14 square grid, measures approximately 10" x 10" and has two squares which each have one circle in them. Those are the two starting places for each game. Each player will get 24 pieces of 12 different shapes, each piece is made up of smaller squares.

Before playing with an opponent, use the game mats to teach newbies how to play. The game mats are printed front and back, so 10 puzzles altogether that increase in difficulty as you go. Simply choose a mat and gather the green pieces that are shown in the bottom left hand corner. These are the pieces you will use to complete the puzzle. Following the Blokus rule of play (each piece played must touch another like-colored piece, but only in the corner(s), play the green pieces so that they connect the green pieces already printed on the mat. No need to set up the board, the games pieces can be placed directly on the game mats. Work through the 10 puzzles and then challenge an opponent.

Object:

Play as many pieces as you can.

Set up:

Players choose a color and take those pieces. Place the board between the players.

Play:

Each player will place one piece on one of the squares with a circle. Then players take turns putting down one piece at a time, making sure each piece played touches a like-colored piece on the board, but only at the corner(s). If a player cannot play a piece, he must skip that turn. The game ends when either all the pieces have been played or no player can place another piece. Players now count the squares that make up each piece they have left (that was not played). Player with the fewest squares is the winner.

Try this:

• Play with the pieces without playing a game to start. Let the player see how they fit on the board and how they touch in the corners.
• Play a game on one of the game mats as the individual watches. Talk out loud to teach the strategy for playing as you go. Then take the pieces off and let the individual solve.
• Turn pieces in-hand as you orient for placement.
• Look at the shapes of the pieces your opponent has left and try to block spaces that he will need.
• Play you biggest pieces first, there may not be room for them later as the board fills up.
• Use the game mats as pattern cards and set up the board, without playing a game, for those who could not complete a game.
• Work on spatial relations, visual closure, visual discrimination, visualization, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, process skills, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation 

In the box: Game board, 48 games pieces, 5 double-sided game mats

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