Stack Up!
Stack Up! Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 game board
- 12 wooden blocks
- 2 stack sticks (with wood ends and foam ends)
- 1 spinner
- 1 Stack Smasher with stand
- 12 challenge cards
Object
To stack all 12 blocks, as a team, before the Stack Smasher reaches the last space on the board and topples the tower.
Set-Up
Lay the board on a flat surface. Put the Stack Smasher in the stand and place him on Start. Put the blocks, spinner, Stack Sticks, and Challenge Cards off to the side of the board where everyone can reach them. You don't need the Stack Sticks or the Challenge Cards in Level 1.
Rules for All Levels
- If all or part of the block stack topples during play, the game is over and the players lose.
- If you drop a block while trying to stack it, the Stack Smasher moves forward 1 space and the block moves back to the side of the board.
- If the spinner stops on a color and there are no more blocks of that color, the Stack Smasher moves forward 1 space.
Level 1 (Age 3): Use Your Hands!
What you need to play: game board, spinner, 12 blocks, the Stack Smasher in stand. You don't need the Stack Sticks or Challenge Cards in Level 1.
How to Play
Spin the spinner. If it stops on:
- Color: using your hands, place 1 block of that color on the block stack in the center of the board.
- Stack Smasher: move the Stack Smasher forward 1 space.
- Challenge: make a short stack with any 2 blocks and then, using your hands, stack the short stack on the block stack in the center of the board.
Level 2 (Age 4): Use the Stack Sticks! Wood Ends
Insert the wood ends of the Stack Sticks into the hole in the block from either side to lift and move the block onto the stack.
How to Play
Spin the spinner. If it stops on:
- Color: using the wood ends of the 2 Stack Sticks, place 1 block of that color on the block stack in the center of the board.
- Stack Smasher: move the Stack Smasher forward 1 space.
- Challenge: 2-player cooperative challenge! Pick a Challenge Card. With the player to your left, use the wood ends of the Stack Sticks and move 1 block of any color to the block stack WHILE PERFORMING THE CHALLENGE ACTIVITY.
Level 3 (Age 5): Use the Stack Sticks! Foam Ends
Gently push the foam ends of the Stack Sticks against the block from either side to lift and move the block onto the stack.
How to Play
Spin the spinner. If it stops on:
- Color: using the foam ends of the 2 Stack Sticks, place 1 block of that color on the block stack in the center of the board.
- Stack Smasher: move the Stack Smasher forward 1 space.
- Challenge: 2-player cooperative challenge! Pick a Challenge Card. With the player to your left, use the foam ends of the Stack Sticks and move 1 block of any color to the block stack WHILE PERFORMING THE CHALLENGE ACTIVITY. For an extra challenge, try moving a short stack of 2 blocks with the foam ends while performing the challenge activity.
Challenge Cards
Challenge Cards give the players a specific challenge to perform while they are stacking blocks. Don't worry if the challenges seem too hard at first. They are meant to be fun and something kids can practice and grow into. Remember, players always play with a teammate when doing a challenge.
The printed sheet shows three sample cards:
- Back Stack!: players place one hand behind their backs.
- Eye Stack!: players cover one eye.
- Silly Stack!: players make a funny face.
Editor's note: the sheet illustrates only these three of the 12 challenge cards; the other nine are not printed in the instructions.
Bonus: Flip the Board (Age 2)
Flip the board over for a fun learning activity for 2 year olds. On the reverse side, spin the spinner and build stacks of blocks in the matching squares of color. When the spinner stops on Challenge, let all players choose any block and stack. When the spinner stops on Stack Smasher, have all players make a silly Stack Smasher noise.
Most 2-year-olds play best if they are the only one playing the game. Some 2-year-olds can spin a spinner, others cannot. Experiment with your child to know what level of play is right for her. Most important, play for fun!