Osselets
The game of Osselets (oss-LAY) is like the game of jacks, but some children in Haiti play it with goat knuckle bones — no, we’re not kidding around. Goat knuckles!
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_6705-640x360.jpg)
Supplies
(Adult help needed)
- 1 small bouncy ball
- 1 package of modeling clay in multiple colors
- colorful paints
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step1.jpg)
Step 1
Roll your modeling clay into sections that are ½-inch thick.
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step2.jpg)
Step 2
Using a dull knife, cut the rolls into ½-inch sections.
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step3.jpg)
Step 3
Shape each section into a cube.
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step4.jpg)
Step 4
Paint one dot on one side of each cube.
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets.jpg)
Play the Game
The first player begins by gently tossing all 5 osselets (dice) into the air and letting them land on the ground. The player then picks up the ball, tosses it in the air, and tries to pick up an osselet before the ball hits the ground. The goal is for the player to pick up an extra osselet each time until she has all 5 in her hand.
Here’s the tricky part: Before the player can pick up the osselet, she has to turn it so that the side with only 1 dot is facing up. If an osselet or the ball falls on the ground before another is picked up, it’s the next player’s turn.
Supplies
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/IMG_6705-640x360.jpg)
(Adult help needed)
- 1 small bouncy ball
- 1 package of modeling clay in multiple colors
- colorful paints
Step 1
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step1.jpg)
Roll your modeling clay into sections that are ½-inch thick.
Step 2
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step2.jpg)
Using a dull knife, cut the rolls into ½-inch sections.
Step 3
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step3.jpg)
Shape each section into a cube.
Step 4
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets_step4.jpg)
Paint one dot on one side of each cube.
Play the Game
![essay photo](https://explorer.compassion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/craft-osselets.jpg)
The first player begins by gently tossing all 5 osselets (dice) into the air and letting them land on the ground. The player then picks up the ball, tosses it in the air, and tries to pick up an osselet before the ball hits the ground. The goal is for the player to pick up an extra osselet each time until she has all 5 in her hand.
Here’s the tricky part: Before the player can pick up the osselet, she has to turn it so that the side with only 1 dot is facing up. If an osselet or the ball falls on the ground before another is picked up, it’s the next player’s turn.