Mancala

About Mancala

Mancala is the old stone-sowing game, played here on a carved wooden board with shiny gem stones. Pick up a pit, drop the stones one by one, and try to land your last stone in your store for a bonus turn. Land in an empty pit on your side and you steal the stones across from it. Climb a ladder of five computer opponents, from a friendly beginner to a real thinker, or pass the screen to a friend. Hints show the best spots, and a rules helper is always one tap away.

Mancala is one of our free board & strategy games for kids — play it right here in your browser, or browse all our free online games.

How to Play

• Tap a pit on your side to pick up its stones.
• Stones drop one by one, around the board, past your store.
• Last stone in your store gives an extra turn.
• Last stone in an empty pit on your side captures the stones across from it.

Tips & Tricks

• Pits with 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 stones (counting from the left) can reach your store exactly.
• Keep an empty pit ready for a capture.
• Hold stones on your side. They count for you when the other side runs out.

What Kids Learn

Mancala is more than fun — it helps build real skills:

• Planning ahead
• Counting
• Strategic thinking

Mancala — Frequently Asked Questions