Fine motor skills: Pick up sticks, Popsicle/Craft stick game

In my school days, we used to play this game. I don't remember whether the game had a name. But it used to be fun and very helpful in increasing concentration. I tailored the play for CJ and we used Popsicle sticks. In those days, the sticks we used for the game was midribs of coconut leaves. In India, Midribs of coconut leaves are used to make brooms of different types which are used for cleaning rough grounds and floors. We used to pull the sticks from the brooms.

In this post, Game 1 - I have tried to explain the tailored version with Popsicle/Craft sticks and Game 2 - how we used to play with midribs of coconut leaves

Game 1:

Skills: Concentration, Fine motor skills, Self control, planning, Counting

Players: 2 to 4

Materials: Popsicle sticks(more sticks more fun)

Playing the Game

1. Keep one craft stick aside(picking stick). Place one stick in vertical direction. Pile the other craft sticks in horizontal direction with the vertical stick in between as shown below
   
   
2. The first player gently throws the sticks on the floor/table holding the sticks as shown above
   
   
3. With the picking stick, the first player tries to remove a stick with out disturbing other sticks or shaking the others i.e. we have to see which stick is separate and not touching the other stick
   
   
4. If player is successful in getting a stick she/he continues the game or the second player takes over.
5. Continue the game until there is no stick left
   
   

Winning the game

The winner of the game is the person who gets the maximum craft sticks.

We also played the game with a craft stick and tooth picks

Game 2:

Skills: Concentration, Fine motor skills, Self control, planning, summing up the scores, Counting

Players: 2 to 4

Materials: 1 no. coconut leaf midrib - 5 inches long(or long stick) and 30 nos coconut leaf midribs - each 2.5 inches long.

Playing the Game

1. Pile the small sticks in horizontal direction and place the big stick in vertical direction in between the small ones.
2. The first player gently throws the sticks on the floor
3. The player tries to remove a stick with out disturbing other sticks or shaking the others i.e. we have to see which stick is separate and not touching the other stick
4. If player is successful in getting a stick she/he continues the game or the other player takes over.
5. With the stick the player has taken, She/he tries to take the next stick with out shaking the other sticks
6. When the player shakes the sticks, the other player takes over
7. The player scores based on the stick he takes, each small stick gains 5 points and Big stick gains 10 points

Winning the game

The winner of the game is the person who gets the maximum scores.

I have tried to explain the game, Hope it makes sense. Please let me know if you have any questions about the game, I will try to answer in the comments.