DreamBox Learning®» mancala http://www.dreambox.com DreamBox Learning, a web-based math learning company Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:01:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 DreamBox Learning's Top Educational Toys for the Holidays, No. 5 http://www.dreambox.com/blog/dreambox-learnings-top-educational-toys-for-the-holidays-no-5 http://www.dreambox.com/blog/dreambox-learnings-top-educational-toys-for-the-holidays-no-5#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:44:44 +0000 Sue http://www.dreambox.com/blog/?p=833 DreamBox Learning’s holiday gift-giving guide continues with what is believed to be one of the oldest games in the world: Mancala! Read on and find out which version we chose and why we picked it for the number 5 slot.

Mancala: A marvelous math game for kids ages 6 and up.

Top Educational Toys for the Holidays

Deluxe Wood Folding Mancala

The word Mancala means to transfer in Arabic and that’s the premise of the game. Players pick up “seeds” (brightly colored glass gemstones) from their pit and drop them one by one into each pocket counter clockwise around the board in an action called “sowing.” Depending on the last hole sown in a lap, a player may capture stones from the board. The object of the game is to capture more stones than the opponent and the player who empties their side first wins. We recommend the Deluxe Wood Folding Mancala because it comes with a sturdy, oak-finished wood board that stands up to child’s play. Fast-paced and fun for the whole family, Mancala puts the glee back into strategy. Mancala does have one drawback: it’s pretty easy to lose (and…ouch… step on) those tiny glass marbles. But replacement marbles are readily available and the board lasts for years.

Learning benefits:

  • Teaches kids how to count
  • Improves strategic thinking
  • Helps with concentration
  • Develops math and logic skills
Ages: 6 and Up Learn More about the Deluxe Wood Folding Mancala
Disclaimer: DreamBox is in no way affiliated with this product and recommends it solely on its educational merits.]]> http://www.dreambox.com/blog/dreambox-learnings-top-educational-toys-for-the-holidays-no-5/feed 0