JENGA....Odd name for an interesting game!
Written: Apr 13 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good family fun, easy to learn
Cons: Can get loud...
The Bottom Line: This game is great family fun, that is easy to learn.
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| kamel622's Full Review: Jenga |
I remember well the commercials for Jenga...and the constant whispered chant, Jenga, Jenga, Jenga. At the time I had no idea what this silly chant was all about.
Then one of my husbands sisters gave us Jenga for Christmas one year...it was an instant success with our family! It was a very simple Milton Bradley game to learn. It is suggested for ages 8 to adult...but I think that you could adapt it for younger children, perhaps making a shorter stack...or adults removing two pieces to every one piece a younger child must remove...this would help them learn about balance, dexterity and gentle play. As a pre-school teacher I guess I am constantly looking for ways to include younger children into a game that is recommended for older kids. :)
Jenga comes with 54 wooden blocks and one plastic loading tray. Playing the game is very simple. One person builds the 18 story tower by placing three blocks per layer into the loading tray, at right angles to the previous layer. Then carefully set the tower onto a solid surface and remove the plastic loading tray. Your now ready to have some fun!
How to Play
The person who built the tower goes first...he simply removes one block, using only one hand, and places it on top of the tower. The next person follows and does the same going around the table with as many players as you have. Players may touch a piece to see how easy it would be to move...but if they do not remove that piece they must make sure that they leave it in the same position as it was in when they touched it. Either hand may be used, but you can only use one hand at a time.
As play continues, the tower will get taller and taller but also will not be as strong and putting your piece on top of the tower will become more and more difficult. Each players turn ends when they have successfully placed a block on top and either 10 seconds has passed, or the next player touches the blocks.
The Winner
When a player attempts stacking and suddenly Crash the tower comes tumbling down, the previous person who successfully stacked a block is declared the winner.
The person who made the tower fall is the one to stack the tower in the plastic tray and prepare for the next game.
Easter Play
I decided to write this review now, because the same sister in law who gave us this game...has a huge set in her backyard. The pieces are made with large peices of wood, and it is stacked on the patio...one rule that is different is that you may use two hands to remove a block, because they are much heavier than the table top version. We played this outdoor version on Easters at her home and since we have moved away from California to Wisconsin I'm feeling a little nostalgic for how we've previously celebrated the holiday. This year, I think I will take our Jenga game to our daughters house...I'm sure that the fun and laughter of playing with all of our adult children will start a new family tradition!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Gift
Type of Toy: Game
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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