Osselets
The game of Osselets (oss-LAY) is like the game of jacks, but some children in Haiti play it with goat knuckle bones — no, we’re not kidding around. Goat knuckles!
Supplies
(Adult help needed)
- 1 small bouncy ball
- 1 package of modeling clay in multiple colors
- colorful paints
Step 1
Roll your modeling clay into sections that are ½-inch thick.
Step 2
Using a dull knife, cut the rolls into ½-inch sections.
Step 3
Shape each section into a cube.
Step 4
Paint one dot on one side of each cube.
Play the Game
The first player begins by gently tossing all 5 osselets (dice) into the air and letting them land on the ground. The player then picks up the ball, tosses it in the air, and tries to pick up an osselet before the ball hits the ground. The goal is for the player to pick up an extra osselet each time until she has all 5 in her hand.
Here’s the tricky part: Before the player can pick up the osselet, she has to turn it so that the side with only 1 dot is facing up. If an osselet or the ball falls on the ground before another is picked up, it’s the next player’s turn.
Supplies
(Adult help needed)
- 1 small bouncy ball
- 1 package of modeling clay in multiple colors
- colorful paints
Step 1
Roll your modeling clay into sections that are ½-inch thick.
Step 2
Using a dull knife, cut the rolls into ½-inch sections.
Step 3
Shape each section into a cube.
Step 4
Paint one dot on one side of each cube.
Play the Game
The first player begins by gently tossing all 5 osselets (dice) into the air and letting them land on the ground. The player then picks up the ball, tosses it in the air, and tries to pick up an osselet before the ball hits the ground. The goal is for the player to pick up an extra osselet each time until she has all 5 in her hand.
Here’s the tricky part: Before the player can pick up the osselet, she has to turn it so that the side with only 1 dot is facing up. If an osselet or the ball falls on the ground before another is picked up, it’s the next player’s turn.