Jack Straws

Jack Straws - A type of pick-up-sticks featuring tiny tools

Your fine motor skills will be put to the test with Jack Straws. Fifty light-weight, miniature plastic tools, shaped like the real thing, makes this game look fun right from the get-go. Included in the box are miniature rakes, hoes, crutches, ladders, wrenches, canes and shovels, to mention a few.

Do you remember pick-up-sticks? This reminds me of pick-up-sticks because you have to pick up one tool at a time without disturbing any tools around it. This game is similar but a lot more fun because of 2 differences: 1) the pieces are all different shapes that keep them from rolling and may give you something to grip and 2) there is a hook with a very thin wire to help you pick the pieces up, if you are lucky enough to remove it before your opponent. With that being said, the wire is thin and pieces are slick and they can still be difficult to pick up. 

The pieces fall into four different groups, depending on how difficult they are to pick up, and each group has it's own point value. The box reads "Steady hands not included".

Do you see that hook on the end of the wire in the image at the top of this page? Well mine didn't have a very defined hook and nothing would stay on it so I attempted to bend it, thinking a wire this thin ought to bend quite easily.  Well it didn't, and that part at the very end of the hook that is curled under easily pierced my thumb, twice. I will leave it for my husband to figure out tonight. That man can fix anything. Off to find the Neosporin...

Object:
Have the most points when all of the pieces have been claimed.

Set up:
Empty the tools on the table and create a messy pile.

Play:
Taking turns, players will announce a piece that want to remove and then attempt to pick it up. If they are successful, without moving any of the surrounding pieces, the player claims the piece and the next player plays. If a player moves another piece at all while attempting to pick up his piece, his turn ends immediately. Play until all pieces have been picked up. Players add up their points using the scoring in the instructions. Highest scorer is the winner.

Try this:

• Practice picking up the pieces and using the tool before playing a game. 
• Allow a person who picks up a piece successfully to keep going, picking up as many as he can in one turn. 
• Allow anyone to use the hook at any time during the game.
• Ask the player to describe how each tool could be used. You may get some fun(ny) answers here.
• Sort the tools into piles by how they can be used. For instance, a shovel and hoe can both be used in the garden. The golf club and oar are both used for sports. Or all four can be used for outdoor activities. How many different categories can you come up with?
• Work on visual discrimination, figure ground, eye-hand coordination, fine motor precision, manual dexterity, tool use, motor planning, graded movement, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 50 plastic tools, 1 hook

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