The Game of Nim

Check out this simple version of a pairs game that’s played all over the world. For those of you with little ones, this game is going to be a lot of fun and something that they can do and continue to grow and learn through.  At first, it might seem like simple counting practice, but there’s a certain strategy to winning. Similar to mancala, this game gives your number whiz the chance to estimate and predict mathematical outcomes.

What You Need:

• Small objects, like buttons, coins, toys or beads, etc.
• Two players

What You Do:

1. Instruct your child to go find 15 small things and bring back to the game table/spot.  Example: Buttons, pennies, sticks or even crayons.
2. On each player’s turn, he or she can take one or two buttons away. Take turns doing this.
3. The loser is the player who takes the last button.
4. Eventually, you can teach your child the winning strategy: Just make sure on her turn she leaves 13,10, 7, 4 or 1 objects. Give the game a challenging twist by using a different number of objects or by taking away different amounts.

Your child can teach her friends this game during lunch and be the hit of the cafeteria!