Bring a piece of Filipino tradition into your home or classroom with this DIY Sungka board!
Sungka is one of the most beloved games in the Philippines, serving as a timeless symbol of community and friendly competition for generations. Traditionally played on a beautifully carved wooden board, this game of strategy and mental calculation is a wonderful way for families to gather and connect.
This craft is a fantastic project for preschool and elementary kids, as it transforms simple household recyclables into a functional game.
By building their own board, children can explore the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines while practicing essential skills like counting and fine motor coordination. It’s the perfect hands-on addition to any global learning unit!
Don’t miss out on our other Philippines crafts and activities for kids!
DIY Sungka Board
Materials
- 2 empty egg cartons (12-count size works best)
- 2 small bowls or containers (to serve as the “heads” or mothers at each end)
- Tape or glue
- Paint or markers (to decorate)
- 98 tokens (You can use dried beans, small beads, pebbles, or even crumpled bits of paper)
Instructions
Prepare the Board: Take your two egg cartons and remove the lids. Place them end-to-end so you have a long row of 12 “holes.” If you want a traditional 14-hole board, you can cut two holes from a third carton and tape them in the middle. (Or you can use a bigger egg carton if you have it, we had the large ones from Costco).
Attach the “Heads”: Place one small bowl at the far left end and one at the far right end. These will be the large scoring holes for each player.
Decorate (optional): This is the fun part! Encourage the kids to paint the cartons in vibrant colors or draw Filipino-inspired patterns on the sides.
Set the Game: Drop 7 tokens into each of the small egg compartments. Leave the two large end bowls empty to start.
Start Playing: Follow the rules of movement and capturing to see who can collect the most tokens in their bowl!
How to Play Sungka
The game is played by two players using small shells, stones, or seeds as tokens. Here is a quick look at the rules:
- The Setup: Each player “owns” the seven small holes on their side of the board and the large hole (the “head” or mother) to their right. Each small hole starts with seven tokens.
- The Movement: Players move simultaneously at the start (then take turns) by picking up all tokens from one of their holes and dropping them one by one into the succeeding holes in a counter-clockwise direction.
- The Goal: You want to deposit as many tokens as possible into your own “head” while skipping your opponent’s “head.”
- Capturing: If your last token lands in an empty hole on your own side, you “capture” all the tokens in the opponent’s opposite hole and add them to your score.
- Winning: The game ends when all the small holes are empty. The player with the most tokens in their large “head” is declared the winner!
Hopefully your kids will have as much fun playing this traditional game as mine did!
