The Woopie Magnetic Stones game is a quick, unpredictable game for the whole family: players take turns placing stones inside a string circle, and if magnets snap together, they go back to your hand. All 20 stones fit in a pouch.

This magnetic stones game looks simple, but every move takes thought and a steady hand. The stones come in different shapes and attract each other, so even a small slip can turn the whole game around. The manufacturer recommends it for children from 9 years, and up to four players can play at once. It is also a fun way to see magnetism at work while you play.

What your child develops

• Strategic thinking. Before each move, players weigh up where a stone is least likely to be pulled in by the others.
• Patience. Rushing does not help: each stone has to be placed slowly and carefully.
• Fine motor control. Placing and lifting stones precisely trains finger control.
• Winning and losing well. The lead changes until the very last move, and children learn to take it calmly.

How to play

Lay the string on the table in a circle to mark the playing area. Each player gets the same number of stones, and players take turns placing them inside the circle. If any magnets snap together as a stone goes down, that player takes all the joined stones back. If more stones jump on while they are being picked up, those go back too. The first player to place all their stones wins.

The game takes up little space, so it suits family evenings, visits and holidays. Children and adults laugh together, because nobody knows when the stones will suddenly leap towards each other.

A great gift

The magnetic stones game is a good gift for a school-age child or for the whole family – for a birthday, for Christmas or simply for screen-free evenings together.

What's in the box

• 20 magnetic stones in different shapes
• String to mark the playing area
• Pouch for storing all the pieces
• Game instructions

Find more games that need nimble hands in our skill and arcade games collection, or more ideas for older kids in toys for ages 5+.