Mak kep facts for kids

Mak kep (Thai: หมากเก็บ) is a super fun traditional Thai game! It's also known as Thai pebbles tossing and picking. This game is very popular with most people in Thailand.

No one knows exactly when Mak kep started. But people think it's been played since the Ayutthaya period, a long time ago in Thailand's history! Some say it began in central Thailand. Others believe it came from Ranong Province in Southern Thailand.

You play Mak kep with five small, round stones, about the size of your thumb. You toss and pick them up following special rules. This game is great for a group of 3 to 5 players.

What You Need to Play

To play Mak kep, you need a few small, thumb-sized stones. Long ago, people always used real stones. Today, some people use plastic pieces instead. These are lighter and easier to throw.

Simple Rules for Mak Kep

There are a few important rules to remember when playing Mak kep:

• Players must not touch other stones by accident. This happens when you are picking up a stone.
• You must always catch the "leader" stone. This is the stone you toss into the air.
• You need to pick up the correct number of stones in each step.

How to Play Mak Kep

Let's learn how to play this exciting game!

First, all players need to decide who goes first. Each player throws all five stones into the air. They then try to catch them on the back of their hand. The person who catches the most stones (called "Mak" in the game) gets to start the game!

Step-by-Step Play

Here are the steps the first player follows:

1. The player throws all five stones onto the floor.
2. Pick up one stone. This stone is called the "leader."
3. Toss the leader stone into the air. While it's in the air, quickly pick up one stone from the floor.
4. Catch the leader stone before it hits the ground.
5. Repeat this for all the stones on the floor, picking them up one by one.

Picking Up More Stones

1. After finishing the first step, repeat the same action. But this time, pick up two stones at a time from the floor.
2. Next, you'll pick up three stones first. Then, pick up the last remaining stone by itself.
3. For the final step, you need to pick up all four stones at once.

Winning the Game

The player who can complete all these steps in one turn wins the game! If a player makes a mistake before finishing all the steps, their turn ends. Then, the next person gets a chance to play.

Why Mak Kep is Great

Playing Mak kep is not just fun, it's also good for you!

• It helps children focus and concentrate.
• Players learn how to solve problems during the game.
• It teaches kids about good sportsmanship. This means playing fair and being kind.
• Playing Mak kep helps keep Thai traditions and culture alive.