Wood Folding Mancala in Sleeve
by Cardinal Industries
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List Price: Our Price: $6.32 You Save: $6.67 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.95 (click here) Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Wood Folding Mancala in Sleeve
Customer Review: Fun for just about any age!
Summary: 5 Stars
One day I went to pick our son up from school and noticed one of the teachers playing Mancala with a child who appeared to be about 5 or 6 years old. I'd never played Mancala before, so I asked the teacher about it, and she said, "Oh! This game is SO much fun!" I watched them play for awhile; it was apparent both teacher and student were having a good time, and neither seemed to be at any great advantage over the other.
Mancala is a strategy game for 2 players, but it's also a great game for kids who are learning about numbers or who are practicing their counting. Even though it's a strategy game, it's a simple game which can be played quickly if you only have 10 or 15 minutes. It's also easy enough that just about anyone can play - which can be really wonderful for families who have older and younger children. It's nice for times when younger kids might get fidgety waiting for something - doctors appointments, they're hungry and waiting for a meal, or times when they can't go outside to play.
Our family really enjoys playing games together, but we've often found ourselves in the predicament of finding games easy enough for a 5 year old, but challenging, and enough fun for kids who are older. Our family loves Apples to Apples, but our youngest was too young to read the cards. We started playing in "teams" - matching an adult with a pre-reader, and older kids playing solo. Mancala is a 2 player game - so for all the times our youngest felt a little slighted with more advanced games, we can make up for by giving him a little extra attention and "fun time" with mom or dad.
Mancala does have small flat marble-like pieces called stones - if you have young children beware of the potential choking hazard.
Customer Review: Not as pictured, not as advertised, disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
The item I received is not the item in the picture!
In fact, the item in the picture, I had it a few years ago (bought at a store), and it was very smooth solid wood, nice clear stones with ribboned colored glass inside, and a great, solid metal case. I LOVED it but I couldn't find it anymore so I bought a new one for Christmas.
I did not receive the same product - the one I got was totally different, still wood but with very rough, poor looking wood, poor stones (not very clear or brilliant, quite dull in clarity and color) and a thin cardboard holder - and the holder is the worst part because it wont hold up over time. It would not have been so bad if I hadn't been expecting the quality of my previous set, which is the one pictured here.
On the upside, it is a Mancala set, so it will be fun, but the quality is not there, and part of the fun of Mancala is the beauty of the stones. Also, it is an inexpensive set, so if you are looking for an inexpensive one to keep just for a little while, it might suit your needs.
I have never actually received the WRONG product from Amazon, so I was really shocked, and I rarely if ever would rate a product so low. Sad.
Customer Review: Four stars
Summary: 4 Stars
My son received this set for Christmas, and we set out to teach each other how to play. The directions included are very clear and the set is fine for children - it is a folding wooden set that comes in a cardboard sleeve to keep it closed when not in use.
It's obviously not a very expensive version of the game - I have higher quality wood on my kitchen cutting boards, and the manufacturer's "made in China" sticker was just slapped onto the outside wood of the case - hard to remove the sticker residue. The pieces are tumbled glass in four colors (ours are white, green, blue, and black), the pieces are a bit too big for the set - more than six in a cup tends to spill around, so care is needed.
Still, for a five-year-old, this is a great starter set and it is portable enough to come on vacation with us.
And he LOVES it! So, thanks Grandma!
Customer Review: Great family game! Even Kindergartenders can play!
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember discovering this game during a summer vacation in the Philippines (although there it is called "sungka"). So when I found this 'travel size' version in a tin cover, I grabbed it. Very sturdy, pretty pebbles, and we love that if folds away into the tin case.... Didn't know if my 5 year old would 'get' it yet but I taught her how to play in just a couple of minutes and now we're all hooked on this great game! Educational,too - I showed her how she can figure out strategies to keep her turn going - it requires simple addition, taking time to observe, etc. I know it's a good thing when she asks to play our 'pebble' game instead of asking to watch TV!Customer Review: Misleading Product Description
Summary: 3 Stars
I've had several of these games -- growing up and raising my own kids. It is a good game for all ages. This version is nice because it folds up to about the size of a hard cover book.
However, the Amazon site touts the metal sleeve -- the version I was sent is in a cardboard sleeve. Also be advised that the stones are stored in the cups when folded, this version is too small for all the stones to be stored in a bag and then contained within. The wood exterior would benefit from buffing with fine steel wool to smooth the finish.
Over all worth the price I paid.