Sunya {the "u" is pronounced as "oo", like in the word book}, is from an ancient language called Sanskrit and means "being empty or without any quantity". Technically, that is the point of the game - to be the first player to be without any cards in his or her hand.
WHAT WE RECEIVED:
The Game Book is essentially the instruction manual. It is a 25 page book including an Introduction, Hindu-Arabic Numeral System, Home and School, Sunya Adding and Subtraction, Math Activities for Young Children, and Math and Science Facts and Riddles.
HOW TO PLAY:
The instructions seem very complicated at first. However, when we started playing, we found it to be quite simple. There are instructions for a Basic Game, Game II, and Game III. Each game increases in difficulty. My children and I played the Basic Game for the most part.
The object of the game is to make simple number sentences with your cards, following the game rules. The first player to use all of his cards yells out "sunya" and wins.
The set-up is easy: The dealer makes a simple number sentence using any cards he wishes. For example, 2 +7 = 9. The dealer deals each player 4 cards and places the rest face-down as a draw pile. One of the best rules is that seeing another player's cards does not matter. This is so helpful for my younger children who want to play, but can't hold the cards up correctly {without them falling and spilling}.
The players take turns making new number sentences using 1, 2, or 3 of their cards. For example, using the sentence 2 + 7 = 9, if I had a 3 and 5 card, I could make the sentence 2 + 3 = 5, playing the 3 over the 7 and the 5 over the 9. Or if I had a 1, 2, and 3 card, I could make the new number sentence 1 + 2 = 3.
The math and science fact and riddle cards are also really fun! My 10 year old son had a blast asking us the riddles and we enjoyed trying to answer them! I don't think there's a game to play with them but they are still fun!
There are several rules you must follow when creating the number sentences that make the game more challenging and competitive for older kids. You can also modify the rules so your younger children can enjoy playing, too.
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
Sunya is a fun game to play! My children and I enjoyed playing this, and I was pleased that they were getting addition and subtraction practice. There is also a multiplication and division version that I would love to get for my older kids. The game cards are well-made and the Game Book is easy to understand with a nice-sized and readable font. This would be a fun way to reinforce those math facts over the summer!
Check out Sunya's website!
We have used the multiplication/division version. Our family really enjoyed it. Definitely hoping to add the addition/subtraction to our game box for our youngest. - Lori
ReplyDeletewe had fun with this review... it is a good game. :)
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