Nine Stones is a playful, team-based game where students use imagination, problem solving, and exploration while competing. The attacking team tries to knock down and rebuild the “castle,” while the defending team chases them and attempts to tag them with the ball. The game encourages creativity in finding new strategies and fosters curiosity and openness as children experiment with different ways of cooperating, moving, and achieving their goals.
Skill focus
Primary Skill Focus
- Critical thinking
Complementary/Secondary Skill Focus
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Curiosity, sense of wonder and openness
| Age group | Student number | Duration |
| 9-10 years old | whole class working in small groups (min. 6 players, ideally 8-12 players) | 20-30 minutes |
How to play – brief game rules
- Preparing the Play Area: Stack 9 stones, plastic cups, or building blocks in the centre of the play area to create the “castle.” Mark a throw line 9 steps away from the castle.
- Dividing Teams: Split players into two equal teams: attackers and defenders.
- Gameplay:
- Attackers take turns throwing the ball to knock down the castle.
- Once the castle is down, attackers start rebuilding it.
- Defenders retrieve the ball and try to “tag” (lightly hit) attackers with the ball.
- Attackers can move within the play area while trying to rebuild the castle.
- Winning: Defenders win if they tag all attackers before the castle is fully rebuilt. Attackers win if they rebuild the entire castle before all team members are tagged.
- New Round: The winning team becomes the attackers in the next round.