How to Play Dominoes:
A Fun Game for Kids and Families
Dominoes are more than just little tiles with dots — they’re a game full of strategy, counting, and fun! Whether you’re looking for a quiet activity or a lively family game night, dominoes are easy to learn and play. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.
What You’ll Need
A standard set of double-six dominoes and 2–4 players.
Set Up
- Shuffle the tiles. Place all the dominoes face down on the table and mix them up by sliding them around.
- Draw your hand.
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- 2 players: draw 7 dominoes each
- 3–4 players: draw 5 dominoes each
Keep your tiles hidden, but let everyone see how many pieces you’re holding.
3. Form the boneyard. Leave the remaining dominoes face down in the middle of the table.
Starting the Game
- Each player looks for their highest double domino (a tile with the same number of dots on both ends).
- The player with the highest double lays it face up to begin the chain. This is called the spinner.
- If no one has a double (even a double zero), the dominoes are reshuffled and re-dealt.
How to Play
- Play moves clockwise around the table.
- On your turn, add a domino to one end of the chain that matches the number of dots.
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- Only the spinner can be played on all four sides.
- Other doubles are placed crosswise at the end of the chain, and you may build off both sides of that piece.
3. If you cannot play, draw from the boneyard until you get a playable piece. If the boneyard is empty, you skip your turn.
4. Play continues until:
5. A player runs out of dominoes (winning the round), or
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- No one can make a move (the winner is the player with the lowest total dots in hand).
Scoring
- The round’s winner scores points equal to the total number of dots left in the other players’ hands.
- The first player to reach 100 points wins the game. (For a quicker game, play to 50 points.)
Tips for Winning
- Play your double dominoes early — they give you more options.
- Get rid of your heavier dominoes (the ones with lots of dots) before the end of the game.
Fun Variation: “Muggins”
In this version, whenever the open ends of the chain add up to 5 or a multiple of 5, the player scores that number of points.
- Example: If the chain ends show 2, 3, and 4, and a crosswise double 3, the total is 15 — score 15 points!
- But if you forget to claim your points, another player can shout “Muggins!” and take them for themselves.
Why Dominoes Are Great for Kids
Dominoes are easy to learn, fun to play, and secretly educational. They build math skills, encourage strategic thinking, and can be enjoyed in both independent play (lining up tiles or creating domino runs) and social play (friendly competition with others).
👉 Dominoes are a timeless game that grows with your child — from simple matching fun to strategic point scoring. Gather your set, shuffle the tiles, and start building your chain today!
