The object of the game is to skillfully remove the sticks from the tube while dropping the fewest marbles possible, but it’s also a classic game that is fabulous for developing fine motor skills. Any game that involves the arm working with control away from the trunk helps develop shoulder stability (an essential developmental skill for fine motor tasks like handwriting). You can also encourage children to set up the game by holding the sticks in a tripod (pencil style) grasp and using little wiggling finger movements to put them into the holes. This action is called a translation movement and it is the same movement we use to create the small movements of control when writing with a pencil. You could also then add the use of any of the Tweezers (Jumbo, Jumbo Pack of 4 or Gator Tweezers) or the Handy Scoopers to put the marbles into the tube during set up to build up thumb/index web space stability.
The translucent tube stands upright on a base that contains four separate numbered trays. Each player selects a numbered compartment to use throughout the game, and the straws are passed through holes midway of the tube to form a lattice web. The marbles are then placed in the top of the tube and held in place by the web.
Just set it up, start playing and watch out for marbles that go Ker Plunk!
The players must use steady hands and a cool head to remove the sticks from below the marbles.
This best game from yester-year is just as much fun today!
For 2-4 players, average game time: 15 minutes, age: 5+.
