Hands On Crafts for Kids

1311-4 Ghana
Mancala
Designed by Kathleen George

Mancala is the common name given to a group of games from ancient Africa. Create your own version of this game with a STYROFOAM board and beautiful beads.

When you see the “helping hand” symbol on a project, it means you may need adult supervision to do the project. Always cover your work surface with a mat or some type of protective covering like wax paper or plastic. Always use care when using tools or a heat source. Be careful and safe!

Always cover your work surface with a mat or some type of protective covering like wax paper or plastic.

Age Range: 7 to 12

Grade Range: 1 to 6

Skill Level: Moderate

Appropriate for These Special Events:
Every Day and Rainy Days

Supports Subject Area(s) of:
Social Studies
Language Arts – e.g. step by step instructions
Visual Arts
Math – e. g. measuring

Time Needed for Project:
1 hour plus drying time

This project features notes or instructions in Adobe Reader format. If you
do not have Adobe Reader, download it for free here.

Main supplies:

STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam – 18” x 6” x 1”
Elmer’s® Craft Bond™ Tacky Glue
Felt – assorted colors
Beads – 2 colors for “seeds”
Brown paper bag

Patterns:

Ghana Mancala Pattern (PDF)

Basic Supplies:

Scissors
Teaspoon or melon baler
Pencil
Ruler

Instructions:

1. Open up a brown paper bag. Make a pattern 6” x 18”. Mark placement for holes 2” apart starting at 4” from the top and 1 ½” from the edge. Place the pattern on top of the STYROFOAM then push a sharp pencil through each dot into the STYROFOAM.
2. Remove the pattern, then scoop out shallow holes around the pencil point with a teaspoon or melon baller. Make an additional shallow hole at each end of the board. Smooth the edges with your fingertips.
3. Cut geometric shapes from felt sheets then glue them to the STYROFOAM board. Cut 2” strips of felt then cut into squares. Cut a square in half diagonally to make two triangles. You will need the following geometric shapes:
1” circles – 7 blue, 2 purple and 7 green
2” triangles – 14 red and 2 purple
Rectangles –    4 orange 1” x ½”
                        12 yellow ¼” x ½”
                        1 yellow 10” x 1”
                        1 purple 12” x 2”
2” squares – 4 purple
4. Glue the shapes to the top of the STYROFOAM and the circles in the pits. Cut 1” wide strips of blue and glue around the edge.
5. Use beads to represent seeds as playing pieces.

Sponsored by FloraCraft
www.floracraft.com

Sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company
www.styrofoamcrafts.com

Sponsored by Elmer’s® Products, Inc.
www.elmers.com

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