Mancala Game Board
The foldable design of this project makes it mobile, perfect for long car rides.
Project Resources:
Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit.

Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List and Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit.
1 Create the game boards.
a. Following the (01) game board layout in Figure 1, mark the positions of the depressions for the game pieces. Repeat for a second (01) game board.
b. Use a Dremel with a cutting or sanding accessory to carve out the depressions into a bowl shape at least 1/4-inch deep at the center. You may need to adjust the depth depending on the size of your game pieces.
c. Use a sanding accessory or sanding sponge to smooth out cut marks. If desired, leave rough marks for a hand-carved look.
2 Apply finishing touches.
a. Sand any sharp edges and corners, and apply a finish.
b. Position the (01) game boards so that the ends with the large, single depression (called a mancala) are opposite of each other. The parts should mirror each other.
c. Place one (01) game board on top of the other with the mancalas facing each other and the edges of the (01) game boards flush. Clamp in place.
d. Position the snap catch on the edges of the (01) game board at the mancala ends, and attach using the included hardware.
e. Attach the hinge centered on the opposite end.
How to Play Mancala
• Select 48 game pieces of your choice. We used pea gravel. The color of the game pieces doesn’t matter.• Place four game pieces in each small depression.
• Each (01) game board is for one player. Position the mancala assembly with the long sides facing you and your opponent.
• In alternating turns, gather the game pieces from one depression and place them one at a time in the depressions around the board in a counter-clockwise direction, including your own mancala but not your opponent’s mancala.
• If the last game piece in a player’s turn is placed in a mancala, that player takes another turn.
• If the last game piece in a player’s turn is placed in an empty depression on the (01) game board, you may take all of the game pieces from the opposite depression on your opponent’s side and place them your mancala.
• The game ends when one player empties all game pieces from the depressions. The opponent takes the remaining game pieces on his/her game board and places them in the mancala on his/her side.
• The player with the most game pieces in his/her mancala wins.
| # |
PART NAME |
QUANTITY |
MATERIAL |
SIZE (in inches) |
| 01 |
game boards |
2 |
1 x 6 |
3/4 x 4 x 7 3/16 |
Finished Dimensions (open):
Height: 3/4 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Width: 14 1/2 inches
Finished Dimensions (closed):
Height: 1 1/2 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Width: 7 5/16 inches