Jenga game instructions: How the game works

Jenga is a very good concentration game. We have summarised the Jenga game instructions and everything else you need to know in a compact and clear way.

Jenga game instructions: Things to know and preparation

Before you can start having fun, you first have to make a few minor preparations.

• Jenga is a parlour game that you can play in pairs or with up to ten people.

• Children aged eight and over can play without any problems, but it might be too difficult for younger children. You need a lot of concentration and skill to play the game.

• The game takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

• Objective: You have to try to take the stones out of a tower without it collapsing. Whoever causes the tower to collapse loses.

• Preparation: Build all the bricks into a fairly stable tower. Place three stones next to each other. Turn the next layer at a 90 degree angle so that one brick touches all the bricks underneath. This way your tower will be a bit more stable. In the end you should have 18 layers.

Jenga: The gameplay

The rules to Jenga are very simple and quite easily explained.

• You may only ever move a block from any floor with one hand, but never from the highest floor. But you may scan the blocks carefully beforehand to locate the loose ones.

• Place the drawn block on the top tier so that it is square again.

• Wait for about ten seconds.

• If the tower stops, it’s the next player’s turn.

• If the tower collapses, you are eliminated. If only one player is left, that player has won the game.

Alternative game rules for Jenga

If Jenga isn’t challenging enough for you, you can make it a little more interesting. We’ve picked out four more variations that will make Jenga even more difficult.

• You must not use your hands to take the blocks out of the tower and put them on top. Instead, you must use your feet and nose.

• Play in two teams where you can only use your left hand and your partner can only use their right hand. So you have to take out the stones together and place them on top. Real teamwork is required here.

• Instead of your body parts, you may only use other objects such as straws, chopsticks or pens. Anything you just have there is allowed.

• Label your Jenga game pieces with tasks or questions. You must either perform these or answer them honestly. If you do not do this, you are eliminated from the game.