Go green by making a Mancala or Owara game that uses recycled materials. It's easy on the Earth and easy on the budget.
This is a fun craft for Kwanzaa or Christmas gift giving. This eco-friendly craft from recycled egg cartons becomes a game to play with the entire family. With paint, beads, buttons, or beans, it’s simple to craft a game of Mancala, also known as Owara.
Supplies Needed:
- A paperboard egg carton (The Styrofoam type doesn’t hold the paint and glitter well.)
- Tempera paint
- 48 buttons, beads, seeds, beans or pebbles.
- Newspaper or craft paper to protect the work area
Instructions:
- First, cut the lid off the egg carton. Cut the lid in half lengthwise.
- Glue the lid to the bottom of the egg cups, extending the bottom out 1 ½ inches. This creates a tray at each end. The tray is called the mancala.
- Paint the cups and trays with tempra paint. It can be painted in traditional Kwanzaa colors, Christmas colors, or the gift recipient's favorite colors. If time permits, kids will enjoy painting designs on the outside of the egg carton.
Note: The tray can also be left loose and placed on the game table when playing. When not in use, the tray can be the lid to the game. Keep the lid on tight with a ribbon.
Ideas for Game Pieces:
- Dried chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
- Dried kidney or pinto beans.
- Marbles.
- Small stones, spray painted different colors.
- Buttons.
- Decorative beads.
- Popocorn kernels.
- Small candy pieces.
- Paper clips.
How to Play Mancala or Owara:
- The object of the game is to collect the most beads.
- Set the game up by placing four stones in each cup.
- Place the game board lengthwise between the two players.
- The tray on the right hand of each player is their own mancala.
- Scoop all the beads from one cup, and drop the beads one at a time into each cup, moving counterclockwise. The players should drop a bead into their own mancala, but not into their opponent’s mancala.
- If a player drops a bead into an empty cup, he keeps that bead, plus he collects all the beads from the opposite cup, and places them into his mancala.
- If a player drops her last bead into her own mancala, she gets another turn.
- The game ends when all the beads are removed from the board. The winner is the person with the most beads in her mancala.
- For advanced play, drop the beads into the cups moving clockwise or counterclockwise, depending upon which direction is most advantageous for that turn.
- Plan ahead two or three moves to gain the most strategic advantage.
This craft is a thoughtful gift for children to make for family and friends. In addition to the time spent making it, they will enjoy the time spent playing it with the recipient. It’s a fast, friendly, and fun game to share during the holidays or any time of year.
More crafts and gifts with egg cartons:
The copyright of the article Egg Carton Mancala Game in Crafts is owned by Suzanne Pitner. Permission to republish Egg Carton Mancala Game in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
