Make a DIY Mancala Game From an Egg Carton
Create a colorful mancala game from a couple of empty egg cartons, and learn to play this fun counting game!
Making a DIY Mancala Game
I love this DIY mancala game for so many reasons!
Firstly, you can make it for absolutely zero dollars; I bet you have everything you need already in your cabinets or craft supplies!
All you need is a couple of empty egg cartons, some paint, and some small items to use as game markers.
I also love that you can customize it to make it look any way you like! Use different colors, different patterns, or skip the decoration completely and get right into playing the game.
More DIY Game Ideas
We’re famous around here for our DIY games, and if you like this one you’re going to absolutely love some of the ones I pulled together below.
Be sure to bookmark or pin your favorites so that you can find them easily when you’re ready to make something fun!
- DIY Yahtzee Game with Printable Yahtzee Score Sheets
- DIY Jenga Game
- Make Your Own Shut The Box Game
- DIY Chinese Checkers Game
- DIY Backgammon Board Game
- Wes Anderson Guess Who Game
Supplies You’ll Need
- 2 egg cartons
- paint
- paintbrush
- scissors
- low-temp glue gun
- small game pieces
How to Make a DIY Mancala Game
- Cut the 12-cup section from an egg carton and set aside.
- Then cut the ends of two egg carton lids so that you have four ends (each about 2” long).
- Overlap two of the ends and glue together to make a rectangular cup. Repeat with the other two so that you have two rectangular cups.
- Place a few drops of paint into all cups and use paintbrushes to paint the bottoms of the cups. Allow to dry.
- Once everything is dry, you can play! You’ll need 48 small game pieces; you can use marbles, coins, rhinestones, pebbles, or any other small items you have on hand.
- Search online for a quick mancala tutorial. It’s easy and fun to play, and great for teaching kids around age 5 and up.
Playing Mancala
I love playing mancala with the family; it’s an easy-to grasp game that is great for learning skills like quick counting, game play, sportsmanship, strategy, and more.
Check out the rest of our DIY games for more ideas of projects to make and play this summer! xoxo
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**Amazing DIY idea! This reminds me of another strategy-based puzzle game that’s equally great for developing thinking skills!**
This egg carton mancala tutorial is fantastic! Simple to make but strategically engaging. Speaking of puzzle games, I recently discovered an incredible online color fill puzzle game that, like this DIY project, focuses on strategic planning and logical thinking.
This **Color Fill Game** uses a flood-fill mechanism where clicking colors spreads like waves to fill adjacent same-colored cells. The goal is to make the entire grid match the target color within limited moves. The “Overflowing Palette” series features particularly well-designed levels with beautiful gradients!
What makes it amazing:
✅ **Completely Free** – No downloads needed, play directly in browser
✅ **All Device Support** – Works on phones, tablets, and computers
✅ **Family-Friendly** – Just like this DIY mancala, perfect for family gaming
✅ **Level Editor** – Create your own levels, even more creative than DIY!
✅ **Strategic Depth** – Each level requires careful planning and offers real challenges
Just like this egg carton mancala teaches counting and strategy, the color fill game develops pattern recognition, logical thinking, and planning skills. Plus, no materials needed – you can play anytime, anywhere!
If you enjoy brain-teasing games like this, I highly recommend trying: [Color Fill – Strategic Puzzle Game](https://colorfill.org/)
Make the DIY mancala at home, then enjoy some color fill puzzles online – it’s the perfect combination of hands-on and digital puzzle fun! 💙❤️💛💚
Absolutely love this zero-cost DIY—just egg cartons, paint, and small game pieces turn into a family-friendly strategy game goldmine! Truly the kind of creativity that turns everyday items into magical play.
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What a beautiful piece! I love how you capture simple moments of joy—whether it’s a playful DIY, a comforting recipe, or a cozy corner of home. It reminded me of the idea that life is full of paths and choices, much like the interactive experience on Escape Road, where each decision leads to new possibilities. In the same way, each ingredient you pick or each craft you create leads you down a unique route of discovery and delight. Thanks for inspiring creativity and helping us see joy in the everyday!
I really enjoyed reading this because Mancala is one of those classic games that quietly teaches so many important skills. I love how you highlighted quick counting and strategy, since those are things kids often learn best through play rather than formal lessons. Playing Mancala as a family also encourages patience and sportsmanship, which feels rare in today’s fast-paced, screen-heavy world. This post is a great reminder that simple games can still have a big educational impact while bringing families together. tvg
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Thank you for sharing this post with bat smash.
This is a fantastic collection! I love that these activities CareCredit
This is such a creative and budget-friendly idea! I love how customizable it is, making it perfect for kids and adults alike. For more fun and engaging activities, check out bat smash—your go-to site for endless entertainment!