Just Add Kids!

Zillio games are fun for children and adults alike. A range of skills can be used in each game, so players of differing levels of ability can enjoy the same game. Many of our games are collaborative; each player works independently but all of their efforts together, contribute towards the group’s goal of winning. Other games are competitive and so they are best played with fairly evenly matched opponents or players who are already accomplished in the skills required. Many of our games have both versions so you can choose the version that is right for the occasion.

The first time someone watches learners play a game they are a little surprised: most games consist of a Mountain or a 2D playground, tokens, perhaps dice, and once in a while game cards.

Each game has a stated objective. A coach (or an experienced player) provides the story line for the game and a bit of role-playing. Numbered tokens take on a new life. Depending on which game they are playing, players help imaginary mountain goats scramble to the top using arithmetic operations; imaginary pigeons find their way home using factoring; imaginary horse trainers acquire wining horses using percents; and so on.

A parallel but unstated goal is to discover and practice as much math as possible along the way. The play itself is unapologetic (often mental) math. When players reach their goals they often have a chance to use their creativity and imagination to entertain themselves and other players, by deciding what the goat eats, what the trail they just blazed is named, and so on. The rewards are imaginary or merely provide bragging rights and yet the players are excited and engaged. Everyone knows the real reward is in the accomplishment itself.