Drop a Ball—meet MagnaStrat, a magnetic strategy game that finishes in about five minutes and turns spacing into the key to victory. Each player starts with ten magnetic balls, and players take turns placing one on a textured board. The goal is simple: be the first to place all ten while avoiding a chain reaction that pulls pieces back into your pile.
How MagnaStrat plays
On each turn, drop one ball onto the board and mind your spacing. If you place too near another ball, the magnetic field links them and you may lose those pieces to your own pile. The result is a move-by-move puzzle where foresight and geometry matter more than luck or dice. The round ends when a player exhausts all ten pieces, and the next round begins with the same setup but a different outcome due to the magnets.
Built for everyday play and travel
The magnets are enclosed in thick plastic shells to prevent swallowing, making the pieces safe for younger hands while still offering a satisfying grip for older players. The board itself is a rigid plastic that can survive being dropped or tossed into a bag. It lands flat on a rug and keeps moving, so you can play anywhere without losing momentum.
What’s included
- Magnetic board
- 20 plastic-shelled magnetic balls
- Spinner wheel
- Drawstring storage pouch
- Paper rulebook
At a glance: how it stacks up against other strategy games
| MagnaStrat | Classic Chess | Other Strategy Games |
|---|---|---|
| Five-minute rounds — kids finish every game ✅ | ❌ 30+ minutes, kids quit by move 10 | ❌ Long setup, longer rounds |
| One rule, learned in 30 seconds ✅ | ❌ Steep learning curve, six piece types | ❌ Rulebook required |
| Plastic-shelled magnets, kid-safe and travel-ready ✅ | ❌ Loose pieces, easy to lose | ❌ Often bulky cardboard |
Specs you can count on
- Style: magnetic placement strategy — the goal is to place all pieces while managing the magnetic pull
- Materials: plastic-coated magnetic balls on a textured rigid plastic board
- Board size: 8.5" x 8.5" — fits on a kitchen tray or in a carry-on
- Best for ages: 8 and up — playable for adults, accessible for younger players
- What’s included: magnetic board, 20 magnetic balls, spinner wheel, drawstring storage pouch, rulebook
