Pick up Sticks

---

Pick Up Sticks is a great yet simple game that helps kids learn to count when scoring and improves their manual dexterity. A typical Pick Up Sticks set contains 50 multi-colored sticks made of wood, plastic or metal. All the sticks either have a number of rings around the center, which indicates the point value or they are color coded. It is a simple game to play with children of any age. Grandparents will especially love teaching their grandchildren how to play this fun game.

What you Will Need

Pick up Sticks

How to Play

Clear the area of play of any obstructions. A flat surface such as a table or floor needs to be used.

Drop all the sticks onto the floor or table. Let the lie where they landed. Do not rearrange any of the sticks.

Extract a stick from the pile without moving any other stick. Take turns trying to remove the sticks carefully. If you succeed, it remains your turn.

Forfeit your turn if a stick moves. It does not matter how slightly the stick moves.

Remove the stick that has been first touched. No other stick can be removed until that specific one has been safely removed.

Finish the game by picking up all the sticks from the pile without disturbing the others.

Score the game by adding the point value of the sticks as determined by the number of bands or colors indicated on each stick.

Vary the game by adding a solid colored or black stick which can then be used to assist in moving or picking up the dropped sticks without penalty.

Point Values

1 Black 25 points

7 Red 10 points

7 Blue 5 points

8 Green 2 points

7 Yellow 1-points

Tips and Warnings

Create a fun camping game by making your own set of Pick Up Sticks. Gather several twigs of equal size and cut small notches in each stick. Typically there are ten of each number. You can also use colored toothpicks in lieu of real Pick Up Sticks.

Unnerve your competitor by "accidentally" sneezing, coughing or humming during his turn at picking up the stick.

Pick Up Sticks can still be found in many toy stores but often under "new" names such as Jackstraws, Jerkstraws or Pik Up Stix.

---