This product contains 25 classic abstract games. Each page contains both the unique board for playing that game, as well as the (short, illustrated) rules for it at the bottom. The games are sorted from easiest to hardest, and some build on mechanics seen in earlier ones, but you can generally play any of them in any order.
Almost all the games are exclusively for 2 players. Whenever the origin of the game is known, or some fun fact about it, this is mentioned as well.
To play, you can cut out the pieces on the front page, or you can simply grab any other household items or colored pieces from an existing board game. As long as it fits in the spaces and you have two distinct colors, you can enjoy all these great games!
Abstract games like this are ideal to play with younger kids. The rules are always incredibly simple and consistent. You clearly get better at the game every single time you try. There is no text involved, or pre-existing knowledge necessary, and you can easily take this bundle with you wherever you go. As long as one person knows the rules (or can read the English rules given), you can play.
At the same time … it’s not easy to win a classic game like these ;)
Product Contents
Below is a summary of this product's contents. The actual product might have even more inside, but never less.
- Explainer page including circular pieces (in two colors) to cut out and use for playing.
- 25 classic abstract games ranging from simplest to hardest
External Enchantments
We try to share the love and improve education, not be greedy goblins, which is why we share source files and link related work of others when possible. Check out the list below of what went into this project or what inspired it. If possible, support those people too!
| Link | Explanation |
| Chung-Toi | A clever twist (literally) to get a version of tic-tac-toe which allows movement. Designed by someone to give his family a unique family game showing his heritage. |
| Pente | A smaller and modified version of this game is present in the bundle. The bigger version obviously allows more players, longer playtime, and has proper physical pieces. |
| Pentago | A beautiful, tactile game about creating 5 marbles in a row that I loved as a kid. It’s a tic-tac-toe board but each section is its own smaller board that can rotate. |
| Abalone | Another nice tactile game about getting marbles in a row that I loved as a kid. In this one, though, the board is a hexagon and you’ll be pushing opponent’s marbles around! (As to why it’s named after an obscure sea creature is anyone’s guess.) |
| Tak | Started its life as a fictional game in a fantasy book series, but was turned into an actual game. Slightly more rules than the other games, but you get a beautiful and diverse game in return with far more depth and strategy. |