Domino is a game that brings family and friends together. It is a simple and entertaining way to get kids to practice their number recognition skills, logical reasoning and strategic thinking. You can also introduce students to decimal numbers using this fun game.
Unlike playing cards, which have a fixed number of suits, dominoes come in many different shapes and sizes, each with an arrangement of dots. The dominoes that are most commonly used in games today have a pattern of dots on one side, while the other is blank or identically patterned (see illustration). Each set contains dominoes with a variety of colors and configurations of dots; some are even and others are odd.
Each player takes turns laying dominoes down on the table, making sure that each subsequent piece is positioned so that its end touches another domino with a matching number (i.e., one’s touch ones, two’s touch twos). In most domino games, the first player to complete a chain wins. Depending on the game, the winner may be awarded points according to a specific scoring system, or he or she may win by reaching a certain number of points within a set time limit.
In addition to being a fun and engaging activity, playing with dominoes can help children develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It can also foster a sense of cooperation and teamwork. The best part of all is that dominoes can be played with just a few pieces and a simple board, so they are ideal for small groups or families.
Some domino sets are made from a combination of natural materials, such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother-of-pearl) and ivory, with contrasting black or white pips inlaid or painted on. Other sets are designed from polymer, metal or ceramic clay. These sets are typically more durable and attractive than those made from wood or stone, but they are also more expensive.
While many children’s domino sets are designed with fun, colorful graphics, some are geared toward more serious and educational play. For example, some are designed to help students learn the numbering system by focusing on the difference between prime and composite numbers. Others are designed to develop logical reasoning skills and math problem solving strategies.
In addition, some children’s domino games are adaptations of card games that were popular in the past to circumvent religious prohibitions against playing cards. Some of these are blocking games, such as matador and chicken foot, while others involve counting the pips on the losing players’ tiles.
If you’re looking for a quality set of dominoes with large, easy-to-read pips, consider this set from Spin Master. It includes spinners and comes in a beautiful carrying case. Although this set is a little thinner than some of the alternatives, it still feels good in the hand and offers a premium experience.