NATIONAL SCRABBLE DAY
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Celebrating the Language of Play: National Scrabble Day
On April 13th, word enthusiasts and board game aficionados come together to celebrate National Scrabble Day, honoring the beloved game that has been captivating players for generations. Scrabble is more than just a game; it’s a celebration of language, strategy, and creativity.
Let’s dive into the rich history of Scrabble, uncover fun facts about this iconic game, and explore creative ways for kids to celebrate its enduring appeal.
The Origins of Scrabble
Scrabble was invented by American architect Alfred Mosher Butts during the Great Depression. Butts combined elements of crossword puzzles and anagrams to create a game that would later become a worldwide phenomenon. Originally called “Lexiko” and later “Criss-Cross Words,” the game underwent several iterations before being trademarked as Scrabble in 1948.
The game’s popularity soared in the 1950s when entrepreneur James Brunot acquired the rights and began manufacturing and distributing Scrabble sets.
Currently, Hasbro, Inc. owns the trademark for the name Scrabble and they produce the game in 29 different languages!
Scrabble is played with two to four players. The above word is worth 6 points! Unless the grid it was placed on included a bonus.
Not only is Scrabble a board game, but it was also a television game show in 1994. In 2004 Scrabble was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
We celebrate Scrabble Day in honor of Mr. Butts’ birthday – April 13, 1899
Fun Scrabble Facts
- Scrabble’s Name: The name “Scrabble” was chosen by James Brunot’s wife, who found the word in a dictionary and thought it sounded catchy.
- International Appeal: Scrabble is played in over 121 countries and is available in 29 different languages, making it one of the most widely played board games in the world.
- Highest Scoring Word: The highest-scoring word in Scrabble is “OXYPHENBUTAZONE,” which can earn a whopping 1778 points if played strategically on a triple-word score with a 50-point bonus for using all seven tiles.
- World Scrabble Championship: The World Scrabble Championship is held biennially and attracts top Scrabble players from around the globe to compete for the title of world champion.
- Scrabble in Pop Culture: Scrabble has made numerous appearances in popular culture, including being featured in movies, TV shows, and even literature. It has also inspired spin-off games, competitions, and online versions.
Ways Kids Can Celebrate
- Family Scrabble Tournament: Organize a Scrabble tournament with family members and friends. Divide into teams or play individually and see who can come up with the highest-scoring words and earn the most points.
- Scrabble Spelling Bee: Host a Scrabble spelling bee where kids take turns spelling words they create on the Scrabble board. Use a dictionary to verify spellings and challenge players to come up with increasingly complex words.
- Scrabble Art: Get creative with Scrabble tiles by using them to spell out names, messages, or create artwork. Kids can glue tiles onto canvas or cardboard to make personalized signs, bookmarks, or decorative pieces for their rooms.
- Scrabble Scavenger Hunt: Create a Scrabble-themed scavenger hunt where kids search for items around the house or yard that correspond to Scrabble tiles. For example, find something red for the letter “R” or something round for the letter “O.”
- Word Building Games: Play word-building games inspired by Scrabble, such as Bananagrams, Boggle, or Words with Friends. These games offer a fun and interactive way for kids to expand their vocabulary and practice spelling skills.
You can celebrate today by playing a round of Scrabble or creating using Scrabble tiles. I have created this EXCLUSIVE packet just for my Happy Hive Friends! It is not available on any other site!
National Scrabble Day is a celebration of the enduring popularity and linguistic brilliance of Scrabble. By exploring the game’s history, sharing fun facts, and engaging in Scrabble-inspired activities, children can develop a deeper appreciation for language and enjoy hours of fun and learning with family and friends. So grab your tiles, spell out some words, and let the Scrabble festivities begin!
Can’t celebrate this year – Mark your calendar & save this holiday for next year!
You can also pin the image below to your Pinterest boards to save this fantastic holiday!
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