“Space Race”

2-3 players (preferably 2)

by Andy Harper

materials:

•

dice

•

graph paper

•

lined paper

•

colored pencils

•

pencil

Players will compete against each other using one piece of graph paper to fill in

arrays trying to get the most space (area) covered. On your turn, roll two dice.

These numbers will be the dimensions of your array. Mark out that array on the

graph paper. So if I roll a 2 and a 6, I can either outline two rows of six, or six

rows of two. Then I color in that array. On my lined paper I record the total area

from that array. Now it is my buddy's turn. She’ll use a different color. Players

continue alternating until one player CAN NOT play. Both players ADD the total

number of graph paper squares in all their arrays. The greater sum wins.

There is a lot of luck in this game, but figuring out how to block your opponent is

helpful.

Example:

Player 1

: rolls 2 & 6

Player 2

: rolls 3 & 5

Player 1

: rolls 5 & 6

Player 2

: rolls 1 & 5

Modifications:

•

adjust size of paper

•

adjust numbers (by using special dice that go to twelve or by using playing

cards instead of dice)

•

use spinner with whatever numbers you choose

Player 1 Player 2

12

+30

42

15

+ 5

20