Here are 20 fun facts about the popular game, Jenga:
- Origins: Jenga was created by Leslie Scott, a British board game designer, and is based on a game she used to play with her family in the 1970s.
- Name: The name “Jenga” comes from the Swahili word meaning “to build.”
- Launch Year: The game was launched at the London Toy Fair in 1983.
- Blocks: A classic Jenga set consists of 54 wooden blocks.
- Rules: The objective of the game is to remove one block at a time from the tower and then balance it on top without causing the tower to fall.
- Popularity: Since its launch, Jenga has sold over 80 million sets worldwide.
- Versions: There are many versions of Jenga available now, including themed sets based on popular TV shows, movies, and even a “Throw ‘n Go” version with colored blocks and a dice.
- Record: The tallest tower ever built with an official Jenga set, according to the Guinness World Records, was 40 complete tiers and 2 additional blocks (or partial tiers) tall.
- Tournaments: There are Jenga tournaments held across the world, some even offering cash prizes.
- Educational Use: Jenga has been used as an educational tool to teach physics, specifically the laws of gravity and balance.
- Painted Blocks: Some people personalize their Jenga sets by writing rules or challenges on each block, which must be done when the block is pulled.
- Oxford Games Ltd: The company Oxford Games Ltd, which initially marketed Jenga, was founded by Leslie Scott and her former husband.
- Size Variations: Jenga comes in different sizes, from small travel-size sets to giant outdoor sets.
- Bridge in Peru: The story goes that Leslie Scott was inspired by the balancing skills of local builders in Peru when they cut rectangular blocks from trees and stacked them up.
- First Sets: The first sets of Jenga were made from wood offcuts from a nearby sawmill in Takoradi, Ghana.
- Use in Therapy: Some therapists use Jenga in their practice to help children and adults improve fine motor skills.
- Charity Editions: Special editions of Jenga have been released to raise funds for charity, like the (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition to fight AIDS.
- Spin-offs: The game has inspired several spin-offs, including Jenga Truth or Dare, Jenga Xtreme, and Jenga Quake.
- Used in Bars: Some bars have giant Jenga sets for customers to play, promoting a fun and relaxed environment.
- Giant Homemade Jenga Sets: Some Jenga fans make their own giant Jenga sets using 2×4 blocks of wood for use at parties and outdoor events.
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