• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to B-Inspired Mama Newsletters TODAY!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • The “Fun Finds for Kids” Shop

B-Inspired Mama

Kids Crafts · Play & Learning Activities · Fun Food · Creative Parenting Tips

  • Home
  • Kids Crafts
    • Painting
    • Mixed Media
    • Hand Print Art
    • Art History
  • Play and Learning
    • Fine Motor Fun
    • Play Dough
    • Outdoor Play
    • Literacy & Reading
    • Math Fun
    • Science Fun
    • Sensory Play & Sensory Processing
  • Family Recipes
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Lunch Ideas
    • Snack Ideas
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Dessert
    • Beverages
  • Creative Parenting
    • Sleep Issues
    • Picky Eaters
    • Gentle Discipline
    • Potty Training
    • Health & Safety
    • Special Needs
    • Taking Care of Mom
    • Household Management
  • Printables
    • Printable Activities for Kids
    • Coloring Pages
    • Printable Parenting Tools
    • Home & DIY Printables
Home » Play and Learning » Fun with Games » Shisima Game — A Math Game from Kenya

Shisima Game — A Math Game from Kenya

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 2 Comments

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Sharing is caring!

27.7K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email
Jump to Activity Details Print Activity Details
Shisima - An Easy & Cool Math Game from Kenya - at B-Inspired Mama
Disclosure: This “Shisima — A Cool Maths Game from Kenya” blog post, contributed by Bethany of MathGeekMama.com, contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.

With four kids, it seems like every time we eat out at a restaurant, one of them inevitably decides to draw a Tic-Tac-Toe board to challenge their dad or me. And while most children in the United States are familiar with this classic three-in-a-row game, what they may not know is that variations of the “three-in-a-row” concept are played all over the world.

A Cool Maths Game that’s Multicultural, too!

I recently learned several from the book, Math Games and Activities From Around the World by Claudia Zaslavsky. I highly recommend this book, as kids learn not only all different types of math games and puzzles, but a great deal about other countries and cultures, too!

A photo of a child playing a homemade Shisima Game — a math game from Kenya. The game uses a white paper octagon shape glued onto a piece of cardboard and math counters for tokens.

Shisima — A Math Game from Kenya

The math game I am sharing today comes from Kenya, a country in East Africa. The game is called “Shisima” (meaning “body of water”) because the center of the game board is the “water.” And the game pieces are called the “impalavali” (meaning “water bugs”).

“Water bugs” move very quickly making it hard to keep track of where they are; likewise, Shisima players move their pieces so quickly, it’s hard to keep up. Once you learn the rules and practice, maybe you will be able to move your impalavali as fast as the kids in Kenya!

Kids Playing Shisima - A Cool Math Game from Kenya - at B-Inspired Mama

Often, kids in Kenya will simply draw a game board (the shape of an octagon) in the dirt to play and use rocks or bottle caps as their game pieces. But, I decided to make a Shisima Game board for my kids that will be more durable for repeat gameplay. You can make your own Shisima Game, too! All you need is a home printer, some crayons, a piece of cardboard, and some glue.

How to Make a Shisima Game:

Shisima - An Fun & Cool Math Game from Kenya - at B-Inspired Mama

You can draw your own Shisima Game board using the photos for reference but I’ve made it even easier for you and your kids to make your own Shisima Game with a free printable. Simply download the printable (by subscribing below), then print the game board of your choice (one is blank in case your kids want to practice using a ruler to draw the lines themselves).

After you’ve downloaded the game printable, check out the DIY directions below to prepare and play the game.

A photo of a homemade Shisima Game — a math game from Kenya. The game uses a white paper octagon shape glued onto a piece of cardboard and math counters for tokens.

My kids enjoyed playing this fun math game, especially my oldest (who is six years old). But older kids might enjoy the strategy of this math game, too (like whether or not it’s a good idea to move to the shisima on the first move, or how one might trap the other player so that it’s impossible for them to block a win).

You can also use the Shisima Game board to discuss an octagon and its properties (number of edges and points) and other places we see the octagonal shape used in real life (for another fun shape game, try this shape scavenger hunt). Most importantly, however, is that you have fun!

How to Make and Play Your Own Shisima Game:

Shisima - An Fun & Cool Math Game from Kenya - at B-Inspired Mama

Shisima Math Game

Help the kids learn how to play Shisima, a cool math game from Kenya. Perfect for homeschool, the elementary classroom, or summer learning!
Be the first to rate it!
PRINT PIN IT! RATE
Prep Time10 minutes
Activity Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes

Tools

  • ruler optional
  • scissors
  • laminator optional

Materials

  • Shisima Game Printable (printed on white copy paper or cardstock)
  • pencil (optional)
  • crayons
  • washable school glue stick
  • cardstock
  • 1 laminating sheets (optional)
  • 6 math counters (3 of each color; or other tokens of 2 different colors)

Steps

Prepare the Shisima Game Board

  • If using the blank Shisima Game board printable, use a ruler and a pencil to draw connecting lines between opposite points of the octagon-shaped game board.
  • Use crayons to color the water shape on the printable blue and, if desired, the game board green (or another contrasting color).
  • Use scissors to cut out the water shape and the outer octagon shape of the game board (without cutting the intersecting lines in the center).
  • Use a glue stick to glue the game board onto the center of a piece of cardstock and then the water shape onto the center of the game board (where the lines intersect).
  • If desired, use a laminator and lamination sheet to laminate your completed Shisima Game board.

Play the Shisima Game

  • Each player places one "imbalavali/water bug" (token) on each of three side-by-side points on the outside of the octagon-shaped board so that each players "imbalavalis/water bugs" are positioned directly across from one another on the board.
    Shisima - An Fun & Cool Math Game from Kenya - at B-Inspired Mama
  • With youngest going first, Player 1 moves a single "imbalavali/water bug" of their own color along a line to any adjacent vacant intersection (the center "shisima/water" counts as an intersection).
  • Player 2 then moves a single "imbalavali/water bug" of their own color along a line to any adjacent vacant intersection (without jumping or replacing any other "imbalavali/water bug").
  • Play continues with players taking turns until one player positions their "imbalavalis/water bugs" in a row (with one being in the center "shisima/water") and wins the game.
    Shisima - An Cool Math Game from Kenya - at B-Inspired Mama
PIN FOR LATER EMAIL TO A FRIEND
Project Type: DIY · Play
Category: Games · Kid-Friendly · Math · STEM

A photo of two young children playing a homemade Shisima Math Game — a math game from Kenya. The game uses a white paper octagon shape glued onto a piece of cardboard and math counters for tokens.


Cool Maths Games on Amazon:

Don’t have the time to make your own math games? No worries! I’ve gathered up some fun math games you can purchase right on Amazon. Let’s check ’em out…

Elevate Prep Target Math Game | A Teacher-Recommended, Fast-Paced Mental Math GameElevate Prep Target Math Game | A Teacher-Recommended, Fast-Paced Mental Math GameMath Games Lab for Kids: 24 Fun, Hands-On Activities for Learning with Shapes, Puzzles, and GamesMath Games Lab for Kids: 24 Fun, Hands-On Activities for Learning with Shapes, Puzzles, and GamesLearning Resources Math Island Addition & Subtraction GameLearning Resources Math Island Addition & Subtraction GameI Can Be a Math Magician: Fun STEM Activities for KidsI Can Be a Math Magician: Fun STEM Activities for KidsWooden Montessori Multiplication Board GameWooden Montessori Multiplication Board GameBoom Goes The Dynamite Memory Card GameBoom Goes The Dynamite Memory Card GameLearning Resources MathLink Cubes Early Math Activity SetLearning Resources MathLink Cubes Early Math Activity SetThe Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul ErdosThe Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul ErdosProof! Math Game - The Fast Paced Game of Mental Math MagicProof! Math Game – The Fast Paced Game of Mental Math MagicIt's a Numbers Game! BasketballIt’s a Numbers Game! BasketballEducational Insights Multiplication SlamEducational Insights Multiplication Slam24 GAME: Single Digits24 GAME: Single DigitsDo You Even Know Math? The Ultimate Mental Math GameDo You Even Know Math? The Ultimate Mental Math GameLearning Resources Pop For Addition & Subtraction Math GameLearning Resources Pop For Addition & Subtraction Math GameMath Art and Drawing Games for KidsMath Art and Drawing Games for KidsPrime ClimbPrime ClimbMath for Love Tiny Polka DotMath for Love Tiny Polka DotCounting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math PoemsCounting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems

Find more in B-Inspired Mama’s Cool Math Games & Goodies for Kids Shop!


Like These Maths Games? Share Them!

Don’t forget to save this “Shisima — A Cool Maths Game from Kenya” blog post to come back to later. And share it with friends! Simply click on the buttons at the top or bottom of this post, or click here: Share on Facebook | Tweet It | Pin It | Email to a Friend


More Cool Math Game Ideas from Math Geek Mama:

  • Taking Math Outside: Number Line Race
  • Free Adding and Subtracting Large Numbers Game
Bethany is the mom behind the blog, MathGeekMama.com, a website dedicated to helping parents and educators teach math in a way that is fun and engaging, while building a strong conceptual understanding of mathematics. When she’s not playing with numbers, she’s exploring with her four little ones, drinking way too much coffee, or soaking up the chaos of everyday life.

More Learning Games & Activities from B-Inspired Mama:

  • Make Math Fun with The Weekly Kids Co-Op
  • 25 Rockin’ Homeschool Preschool Resources
  • 6 Fun Games from The Kids Co-Op
  • Fun Number Games from The Kids Co-Op
Disclosure: This “Shisima — A Cool Maths Game from Kenya” blog post contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Sharing is caring!

27.7K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email

Filed Under: Fun with Games, Math Fun, Play and Learning Tagged With: DIY Games, Learning Games, Math, Math Games, Multiculturalism

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « First Time Pregnancy Tips (From Fellow Moms!)
Next Post: 55 Cool Maths Games Your Kids Will Love! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mama Tita says

    July 15, 2018 at 2:56 PM

    I am Kenyan but seeing this for the first time and absolutely love it. We played Naughts and Crosses growing up…Swahili for shisima is Kisima (water well) thanks for sharing. Will definitely share it with my kids.

    Reply
    • Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says

      July 16, 2018 at 10:18 AM

      Oh neat! Thanks for sharing the meaning. Hope your kids like it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Meet Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Footer

Follow Along on Social Media:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Browse by Category:

Browse by Date:

Disclosure: This Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Influencer Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without the cost being higher for you).

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress