Qwirkle Board Game: The Game for Growing Geniuses

Qwirkle Board Game is a very addictive board game that is based on the same principle as Scrabble, Rummikub, Domino and Othello. Susan McKinley Ross designed it for MindWare. It is a strategy based game that heavily relies on colors and shapes. The set includes 108 pieces of wooden blocks that are placed inside a drawstring bag together with its instruction manual. The wooden blocks are illustrated with six different shapes in six varied colors. The shapes are circle, diamond, 8 point star, 4 point star, clover and square. The six colors are red, blue, green, yellow, orange and purple. There are three available tiles for each color or design that allows a probability of 36 color and symbol combo.
One game usually lasts for about an hour if you are just learning the ropes. You can set this up anywhere because it is portable. Before starting the game, arm yourself with a paper and pen to monitor the player’s points. You need two or four players for this game. The rule for this game is easy. First, all the wooden blocks has to be faced down on the table with its illustration hidden. You then have to mix it thoroughly as you would for Domino, Scrabble or Mah jong. The players would then get six tiles each. To earn a point, each player will have to connect the wooden blocks with the same color or shape to build a line, row or column. These combinations would either be blocks of the same color or blocks of the same shape. They can place one wooden block at a time or they can do several combinations. They can also choose to withhold in exchange for a random wooden block. This usually happens when the player has no more combination to use.
For each wooden tile placed on the board, the player is awarded one point. If the player happens to complete a Quirkle or a six wooden block combination, they are given an additional six points as reward. The players should always have six tiles with them and if ever they use one, they need to replace it with a random wooden block. The game goes on until there are no more wooden blocks to be drawed and all the tiles of the players have been used already. The twist and the addictive part is how you scheme and plot your way towards getting those matches. Two or four persons can play this game, and they can even be as young as two year old.
The great thing about the Qwirkle Board Game is it allows both readers and even non-readers to play the game. The materials are uncomplicated and the mechanics of the game is simple and easy to follow. It is recommended for six years old, but you can use the wooden blocks to teach your pre-schoolers about colors and shapes. Another plus factor is that it is also a multi awarded game. It has even won the Spiel des Jahres last 2011. This is the most notable award in the games industry. It has also been chosen as a top game by MENSA in 2007.
Its drawstring bag allows it to be carried anywhere and everywhere. The wooden blocks are also very easy to clean. You just wipe the dirt off with a damp cloth and then follow it with a dry one.
The things to consider before buying the Qwirkle Board Game is that since it contains small parts, it can be a choking hazard for children under three years of age. Since this game needs attention, younger children can easily get bored at the start of the game, so you have to device ways to keep them interested. As the game progresses, you might also need to assist your child.
Overall, Qwirkle Board Game is a fun and educational game that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It not only teaches a child about colors, shapes and combinations, but it also sharpens their analytical thinking skills. This is because you also need to employ strategies and a good amount of scheming to win this game. This game is perfect to keep your children occupied for hours, and also to develop their non-verbal thinking skills.