Leaning Tower

Leaning Tower -Pull out a block without toppling the tower.

I have a game similar to Leaning Tower that I only bring out around Easter because, instead of the colored wooden blocks, it has colorful Easter bunnies. The kids always liked it, so I was happy to find this "neutral" version. 

The game includes eight donut-shaped rings, 36 blocks and 1 large die, all made out of wood. The die is extra large, 1 1/8" square, with a different color on each side. You can see the scale of the pieces and the die in the image above.

Some may find this game equally difficult to set up and play.

Object:
This game has a loser instead of a winner. Don't be the one who pulls the block that makes the tower fall.

Set up:
Set up as in the image above, repeatedly layering one ring then six evenly spaced blocks until all the pieces have been used.

Play:
Players take turns. Throw the die and this will indicate which color you will pull on your turn. Pull a block of that color from anywhere on the tower without making it fall. Repeat this until the tower falls.

Try this:

• Forget the die and just pull a block that you feel will keep the tower standing. Let skill and not the die dictate who will lose.
• Throw the die and then say the color to reinforce colors, or skip the die and call the color the other player must remove or let the other player call their own color and remove that piece.
• Allow players to move the blocks on their turn. For instance, there may be three blocks left on a level and pulling one out will definitely leave the tower unbalanced and make it fall. Allow the player to carefully slide one of the blocks to the other side of the ring so that the tower will not fall. However, if the tower falls while they are moving things around, they lose anyway.
• Change the object of the game. Collect the most rings and win the game. Last person to take off a block on a level gets the ring. Don't put a ring at the very top when you set up.
• Cup one or two hands and roll the die before throwing. If the individual has difficulty cupping the hand, place a ball in the palm and ask the player to curl their fingers around it. Then remove the ball and replace it with the die. Keep the hand(s) in that position a minute while rolling and before throwing the die. 
• Work on visual discrimination, color identification, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, graded movements, palmar arch development, judgment and decision making, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 8 rings, 1 large die, 36 blocks

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

Santa Claus Go Fish Card Game

Santa Claus Go Fish - 4 classic kid's games in one deck.

 

What can I say, I'm a softie when it comes to Christmas games. And with the Christmas game drought for the past few years and thinking Christmas games were a thing of the past, I guess I went overboard this year when I saw the new games that came out. I bought four full price (which I seldom do) and also found several second hand. We're gonna have us some fun around here.

Santa Claus Go Fish is a card game that comes with 53 cards and instructions for four games - Go Fish, Slap Jack, Memory Matching and Old Maid (why haven't we been able to lose that reference after all these years?). There are 12 colorful, whimsical Christmas images on number cards (1-12). There are four of each number and all four cards are exactly the same in color and image. There are four slap jack cards and one bah humbug for the Old Maid game. The front of the cards show a pretty wrapped package. The cards measure 2 3/16" x 3 1/2".

The four games you can play with this deck are:

• Go Fish - Win by having the most sets of four (or two) matching cards at the end of the game.
• I've already blogged several times about Go Fish games. Go here to read the rules. 
• Slap Jack -Win by being the last player holding any cards.
•  Remove the bah humbug card. Deal the cards evenly between the players. Players stack their cards in a face-down deck in front of them. Players take turns flipping the top card from their decks into a pile in the middle of the players. Flip the card fast so that all players see the card face at the same time. Players take turns flipping cards until a SLAP JACK card turns up. At that time, all players slap the deck. The person who is there first, takes the cards and puts them face-down on the bottom of their pile. Keep playing until only one person has any cards left.
• Old Maid - This game ends with a loser, not a winner. Do not be the person holding the bah humbug at the end of the game.
• Shuffle and deal the cards evenly to all players. Players remove any sets of two (two identical cards) that they have and place them on the table. Players take turns offering their cards to the player on their left (face-down). The player chooses one card and puts it in their hand. If they can make a set with the card, they place the set on the table and then offer their cards to the next player to choose one. If they can't make a set, they keep the card and then offer their cards to the player on their left. If you have, or draw, the Bah Humbug card, you hope that the next person will choose it to get it our of your hand. Keep playing this way until all the sets have been made and one person, the loser, is left holding the Bah Humbug. 
• Memory Match - Win by having the most sets at the end of the game.
• I've already blogged about memory game rules. Go here to read the general rules. 

Check out other Christmas games I have blogged about by clicking here.

Try this:

• Work on hand skills by practicing shuffling, dealing, holding, fanning, and removing cards.
• Deal the cards by holding the deck in your non-dominant hand and pushing them off the top, one at a time, with your thumb. Pick the card up with the dominant hand to pass it to the individual.
• Use a card holder if the individual cannot hold and fan cards. Read about the one I use here.
• Play with Christmas music going in the background (Alexa maybe?) and a cup of peppermint hot chocolate by your side. Make it a festive, fun experience.
• Smoosh. This is a new term I just read about, but have used in the past. If you cannot hold and shuffle the cards efficiently, place them on the table, face down, and push them around in a big pile, smooshing, for about a minute to mix them. Then gather them up and deal.
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial relations, figure ground, manual dexterity, coordinated use of both hands, holding/shuffling/dealing/fanning cards, process skills, transitioning from one game and set of rules to another, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation.  

In the box: 53 cards and rules for four games.
 
If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, go to ArizonaGameCo.com.