Rummikub
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Games are one of my favorite ways to connect with my kids. This tile-based game was my favorite game as a 11-13 year old kid, and it is now one of my favorite homeschooling games. Check out this favorite game here.
Listen to our review or watch it here.
What is it?
It’s a game made of 106 white tiles, each with a single number anywhere between 1-13 with one of 4 of different colors, plus two wilds. The goal is to be the first person to get rid of all your tiles.
The game is about using your tiles and the tiles already laid to create runs of the same color or groups of the same number using a minimum of 3 tiles.
The best part of the game is that you get to rearrange the tiles already laid by anyone to make new runs and new groups of numbers.
It’s four rounds long. Rounds can take up to 5-10 minutes per round.
Costs $14-$40+ depending on the materials (plastic vs. wooden). We have linked the classic version in modern packaging, a large number option, and a travel option too. There are wooden and retro versions too.
Interesting fact! This game “was invented by Ephraim Hertzano. He was a Romanian-born Jew who immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in the 1940’s. He hand-made the first sets with his family in the backyard of his home. Hertzano sold these sets door-to-door and on a consignment basis at small shops. Over the years, the family licensed it to other countries and it became Israel's best selling export game. In 1977, it became a bestselling game in the United States.” - Wikipedia
3 Reasons Its Our Favorite
It’s not a child’s game, but a game a child can play. This is definitely a game of skill and strategy, but even a young child who knows her numbers and colors (or needs practice learning them) can play. If your child can play Uno, he might be able to play this game. My kids’ grandparents, who are major gamers and in their late 70’s, play regularly against each other.
It provides problem-solving practice. Rearranging the tiles can become quite complicated, and it uses parts of the brain that probably don’t get used very often. It’s like the kind of game you would buy as an app to play on your phone because it’s challenging and rewarding at the same time.
It’s relaxing. I love it when you can play a game and still have a conversation during the game. It’s light competition that doesn’t use up much emotional energy. You can play in silence, or you can talk with your child about his day.
How We Use It
Pick a Number - Our game can fit up to four people. For a family of five, you need to get the six player edition. Usually, though, only 2-3 of us play at a time. We like going head to head because it’s a quicker game.
Easy Bonding - When I feel like I need time with a specific child or I know I have one child to myself for a little bit, I offer to play this game with him. Sometimes we play for just 2-3 rounds depending on time. Since it’s a game that is relaxing for us, it’s a good one for listening to music, talking, and just being present together.
Practice Math Skills - Besides the obvious problem-solving skill and strategy needed to win this game, you can take that extra step to practice math skills. Usually when we play games, one child is in charge of keeping the game scores for every player. Each player is in charge of adding up her own score for each round to report to the score-keeper.
Practice Good Sportsmanship - It’s helpful to practice good sportsmanship in a light-hearted game. Your kids can practice the skill and lay a foundation for learning how to be competitive in a way that serves him and his fellow competitors. It’s harder to practice if the game is highly dynamic and emotionally charged.
Clean Up - If you haven’t already, set up a consistent rule and practice that when a game is done being played, it has to get put away right away. Do not ever let this rule slide, or else be ready for game closet chaos!
There’s just something magical about connecting with your kids while playing games. There’s more happening than you realize in their brains, in their dexterity, and in their souls when they play a rewarding game with you.
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