Scrabble Junior
$12.00
Scrabble Junior at a Glance
| Game Type Word Game Tile Placement | Play Time 30 mins + | Skill/Complexity (2 - 5) Non-Complex Basic Vocabulary & Spelling |
| Age 5+ | Publisher(s) Hasbro and others | Published 1958 |
| Categories Kids Educational / Children's / Family / Word Game | Players 2 - 4 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 9/10 | Cost $12.00 + |
About – Description
This version of the much loved Scrabble is specially designed for players aged 5 to 12. It features a double-sided board, where one side is for “introductory” games and the other is for getting more creative! The introductory side resembles a crossword puzzle, where all the possible words have already been spelled out, perfect for learning about spelling. The reverse side has a completely blank grid, so players make up with their own words!
Best Suited For Children Ages 5+
Scrabble Junior is ideal for 2 to 4 players and is a relatively simple concept involving some strategy as well as good spelling and vocabulary skills.
Skill – Complexity
This game is of low complexity and although it’s competitive it’s quite relaxing to play. This makes it ideal for an evening game before bed time.
Set Up – Playing Rules & Instructions
Setting up
Inside the box you’ll find:
- Double sided game board
- 101 cardboard letter tiles
- 44 scoring chips
- Beginner and Advanced rules
To set up the game, a kitty must be formed by putting the scoring chips in a pile somewhere that each player can reach. To create a draw pool, turn all the letter tiles face down and mix them up. Players must pick seven tiles and place them face up. Decide which player should go first and play then it rotates clockwise.
Object of the game
Once all of the tiles are used, the player with the most scoring chips is the winner.
Playing Instructions
The first player must start off by playing two tiles, either on the first letters of two different words or on the first and second letters of just one word. Players should then take it in turns to play two of their own tiles, either on an open first letter of any word, or on the next open letter of any word already started.
Play the tiles in order by covering the letters so that the words are spelled correctly. If you are laying tiles on a word that already has a different word connected to it, cover the letters that match. For example, when J and A are played in JACKET, the A in WATER will get covered before the W – but before the T in WATER gets covered, the W in WATER must be covered.
Aim to complete a word by covering the last letter. Then take one scoring chip from the kitty for each completed word. If two words are completed when just one tile is placed, take two scoring chips. When all the tiles have been used from the pool, keep playing until all 101 tiles (including your remaining tiles) are on the board to finish the game.
Top BGW tip: It’s a good idea to check other players tiles to see if a tile you would like to play will allow anyone to finish a word. If you want to play two tiles, you can hold back one of them to stop an opponent from completing a word.
Versions – Editions
The original version of this game was released way back in 1958 and there have been multiple editions released since, each with varying numbers of colored tiles. Editions were launched in 1964, 1968 and 1975, right through the 1980s and into the 1990s. The post-2000 editions were released in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Likes & Dislikes
A fun spin on the old Scrabble classic, Scrabble Junior is a great way to teach your little ones how to spell and follow instructions. The bold and brightly colored tiles are easy to handle and it’s perfect for younger and older kids to play together. It’s worth noting though that unlike adult Scrabble there are no blank tiles and no spaces that offer extra points.
Final Thoughts
Quick, simple to play and seriously fun, Scrabble Junior means your kids will learn lots of new words without even realizing it! A great mix of critical thinking and light strategy, the game allows younger children to play at their own level with colorful words and pictures. This makes it an educational yet enjoyable experience to play together.
