Set Cubed

Set Cubed - A board game based on Set the card game

Set Cubed is based on the multi-award-winning card game, Set. Unlike Set the card game, Set Cubed has only three attributes to contend with (shape, color, number), not four. This game reminds me of Qwirkle. 

See the Set card game by clicking here.

Set Cubed includes a small game board, 42 dice and a bag for the dice. The game board measures 10" square. The bag is black so that the dice can be placed inside and you can't see what you're picking. The dice measure about 7/8" square. All six sides are different and some of the dice include the word WILD on one side. Below is an image of the contents in play.

The game is based on making sets. A set is three dice in which each individual feature is all the same OR all different on all three of the dice. There are three features - shape, color, number - and each feature has three possibilities: 1) Shape - oval, squiggle, diamond, 2) Color - red, green, purple, and 3) Number - One shape, two shapes or three shapes. Here is an example of different sets you might make:

How dice can be play:

• Sets can only be made horizontally or vertically.
• Dice can be played anywhere on the board as long as they make a set in one direction, and as long as they use at least one die that is already in play on the board.
• A die can be placed next to or between dice that have already been played, where they don't make a set, as long as they make a set in at least one direction.
• If a die in placed and makes more than one set, count the points for each set.

Scoring - One point is received for each die in a set. If you make one set you get three points. If you make two sets you get six points, etc. If one die placed ends up making two different sets, then that die is scored as one point for each set.

To see my post about the Set card game, click here. 

There are three options for play: Set Cubed, Set Scrabble and Set Crossword. I will describe each below. 

SET CUBED

Object:
To score the most points. The more sets you make, the more points you score.

Set up:
Place the board in the middle of the players. Place the dice in the bag. Each player takes 5 dice from the bag without looking inside the bag. Once all players each have the five dice, they all throw their dice at the same time. Only face-up sides of the dice may be used. The first person to spot a set in their five dice starts the game. They place their three dice on the logo in the middle of the board and record their score.

Play:
Players play one at a time. Each player can place up to three dice in one turn. The dice do not have to all be placed side by side, they can be placed in random places on the board as long as each die ends up making a set.

The next player makes a set(s) on the board using their dice and the dice already on the board. You must build off what is already there. You cannot re-throw your dice. If you can play, do it and record your score. If not, you skip your turn and the next player plays. You may also choose not to play and skip your turn. After each player has played once, that is a round. If each player has a chance during a round and no players can end up playing, everyone re-throws their dice and play continues. At the end of each round, players take more dice from the bag so that they have a total of five for the next round. Again, they all throw they dice. Before the new round starts, each player can decide to throw one or more of their five dice, one more time. The game ends when one person runs out of dice. Each person that has not had a turn yet in that round, gets one more chance to play. The winner is the person who has the highest score.  

SET SCRAMBLE

Throw all the dice in the middle of the table. If any are stacked, un-stack them. Players play all at once looking for and calling SET. Al people call SET they get to pick up their set and place it in front of them. When all the dice are gone, players count their sets and record the number. Play five rounds and the person with the most points is the winner.


SET CROSSWORD

Each player takes 10 dice out of the bag. All players roll their dice at the same time to start the play. Players play at the same time. Each player takes his own 10 dice and makes a crossword form with them, trying to use all 10 dice. Only horizontal and vertical sets count. A die can be played anywhere it makes a set going in one direction, but if it touches dice going in other directions, it does not have to match. If the player cannot use all 10, they must draw a die from the bag and throw it. Keep picking dice, one at a time, if you cannot play them or go out. Each additional die throw must eventually be added to the crossword before the person can go out. Keep playing until someone has used all their dice in their crossword and wins the game.

Try this:

• Skip the game, just throw the dice and make 14 sets.
• Allow only three dice per turn and set a timer, but allow players to turn their dice to look for the best possibilities.
• Skip the game. Sort the dice into three piles, either by color, number or shape. Roll the cubes in-hand, without using the table top or a support surface, to find a side you want to play.
• Pick the dice up by handfuls to put back in the box when you are done playing. Or, hold the box off the edge of the table with one hand and push the pieces into the box with the other hand.    
• Choose one side of one die and then go through the remaining 41 dice and see how many more you can find. Guess how many you will find before you start looking. Rotate the dice in-hand as you go. Record your guess and subtract the difference between what you guessed and what you got. That is your score. Compete to see who has the highest score after three rounds.

In the box: 42 dice, 1 game board, 1 bag

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

Janod Vehicles Magnetibook

Janod Vehicles Magnetibook - 18 pattern cards & 50 pieces

 

Activities like Janod's Vehicles Magnetibook can be fun for variety if you are working with pattern cards. There are a wide range of vehicles on the cards including boats, cars, trucks, tractor, construction vehicles, fire engine, submarine, tank, and race cars. Cards measure about 3 1/8" x 2 3/8".

The vehicles are broken down into several pieces each, and each piece has a magnet on the back so they will stick to the inside of the lid. Pieces needed to make a vehicle range from four to eight.

Everything comes in a book-type box that has ribbon that connects the bottom to the lid (see image above). This allows the lid, which has a background of road, water and sky, to stand up when open. On this lid is where you will assemble your vehicles. There is no way to keep the book closed. I have found rubber bands extremely useful in my work. The book measures 7.5" x 10.25". 

The pieces are magnetic and stick well to the lid, but not so firmly that you can't move them around once in place. You can see in the upper right hand corner where the pattern card is held up with two yellow magnets. You can easily refer to it while you are building and then take it down when you are done.

If you liked this, check out Magnetibook Girl's Outfits.

Try this:

• Build a progression of vehicles and link them together in a story as you go. 
• Start by giving the individual each piece as it is needed, then push out two pieces at a time, then three.
• Turn the piece in-hand if you pick it up in the wrong orientation. Set the pieces on the table in the wrong orientation so this is required.
• Sort the cards into piles by land, air, water, etc.
• Build the vehicles by category. Lay the cards out so all can be seen and then suggest let's build something you would see in the sky, that you could ride in underwater, that is an emergency vehicle, that has a propeller, that has wheels, that you have ridden in, that you would love to ride in, that you can look up and see, etc.
• Lay out several cards, face up. Place one piece on the board and ask the player to choose the card that needs that piece and build it. 
• Work on visual discrimination, visual closure, spatial relations, manual dexterity, figure ground, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  

In the box: 50 magnetic pieces, 18 pattern cards

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