On the Level Players answer questions to collect randomly sized blocks of wood to stack in two piles. The challenge is to make level stacks of the greatest height. Age Range: 8 to 12 Skills Used: factual knowledge, strategic
thinking, measurement of height Number of Players: 4 to 7 Noise Level: moderate Activity Level: moderate Materials: 30 wooden blocks of various thicknesses, level, ruler, numbered question sheet with an answer key, bag
Setup A set of numbered questions and answers are written on a sheet of paper. Questions do not have to be in any particular order but should relate to a particular subject area. Game pieces are flat blocks of wood in various thicknesses that can be stacked easily. It is important that the pieces be random, rather than uniform in shape and size. Each piece should be numbered to correspond with a question on the answer key. An additional three pieces should be marked as “Free.” Before starting, all the wooden pieces are placed in the bag.
reads the question matching the number on the block. If the player answers correctly, the block is kept. If the answer is wrong, it is put back in the bag and the correct answer is not revealed. Each player or team collects blocks in this way and strategically places them in two stacks as they are accumulated to keep the stacks level with one another. Once placed in a stack, a block cannot be moved to the other tower nor can blocks be exchanged between towers. Play continues until all questions have been answered correctly and all the blocks have been collected and stacked. The game director uses the level and ruler to check the evenness and height of the stacks. The winner is the player (or team) with two stacks that are closest to being level. Second place goes to the player with the highest stack.
Variations The numbered questions can be math
facts, states and capitals, words to rhyme, vocabulary definitions, or any category of information to be practiced by the players.
How to Play
Three sets of related questions can be used
Players are divided into three teams (or individuals), plus one game director to read questions. The first player reaches into the bag and pulls out a wooden piece. The game director
to play three rounds of this game. In this version of the game, level stacks score two points and the tallest stack scores one point. The player or team with the most points at the end of three rounds is the winner.
Science and Social Studies Games
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