Shut the Box — Classic Wooden Dice Game (9 or 12 Numbers)

Roll the dice. Choose your numbers. Shut the box!

Sometimes all you need for a great game is a pair of dice, a few numbered tiles and a little bit of luck.

Shut the Box is a wonderfully simple traditional game that combines quick arithmetic, clever decisions and the occasional frustrating roll that ruins your perfectly laid plans.

The aim is straightforward: roll the dice, add up your total and flip down one or more numbered tiles that match your roll. Keep going for as long as you can, trying to close every number before you run out of possible moves.

Sounds easy? Think again.

As the numbers disappear, your choices become increasingly limited. Do you close one large number or several smaller ones? Will your next roll give you exactly what you need, or leave you staring at the final tile in defeat?

Available in two versions, with either nine or twelve numbered tiles, this compact wooden game is perfect for friendly competitions, family game nights or a little solo number-crunching.

It's easy to learn, surprisingly addictive and always tempting you to have just one more go.

The question is simple: can you shut the box?

Why you'll love it

A timeless tabletop classic: Enjoy a traditional dice game that's simple to understand but offers plenty of opportunities for strategy.

Two versions to choose from: Select the classic 1–9 board or challenge yourself with the extended 1–12 version.

Roll, add and flip: Use the total of your dice to close matching numbered tiles, choosing the combinations that give you the best chance of success.

A little luck, a little logic: Every roll is unpredictable, but deciding which numbers to eliminate requires some careful thinking.

Traditional wooden design: The wooden playing box and numbered flip-down tiles give the game a classic, tactile feel.

Great for mental arithmetic: Enjoy practising addition and number combinations without it feeling like a maths lesson.

Compact and portable: Easy to store and take along on holidays, weekends away or visits with friends.

Play alone or challenge others: Try to shut every number yourself or take turns competing for the lowest score.

A thoughtful gift for game lovers: Perfect for fans of traditional games, dice challenges and classic tabletop entertainment.

Details

Game: Shut the Box
Type: Traditional wooden dice & number strategy game
Theme: Arithmetic, probability & classic tabletop games
Material: Wood (playing box)
Gameplay: Roll dice and flip down numbered tiles matching the total
Objective: Close all the numbered tiles or finish with the lowest remaining score
Dice: 2 included
Recommended age: 14+ (supplier specification)
Suitable for: Solo play, friendly competitions, family game nights and travel

Available versions

Classic 1–9 Version

The traditional nine-number challenge, featuring a single row of numbered tiles from 1 to 9.

• Numbers: 1–9

• Dimensions: Approx. 21.5 × 14.4 × 2.5 cm

• Style: Compact wooden playing box

Extended 1–12 Version

A larger version featuring twelve numbered tiles, offering additional number combinations and a longer challenge.

• Numbers: 1–12

• Dimensions: Approx. 27.3 × 15.7 × 2.5 cm

• Style: Extended wooden playing box

How to play

1. Set up the game
Raise all the numbered tiles so they're ready to play.

2. Roll the dice
Roll both dice and add the numbers together.

3. Choose your combination
Flip down one or more available tiles that add up to your dice total.

For example, if you roll a total of 7, you could close the 7 tile or choose a combination such as 3 and 4.

4. Keep rolling
Continue rolling and closing tiles, using only the numbers that remain available.

5. Finish your turn
When you can no longer make a valid combination, your turn ends.

6. Count your score
Add together the numbers left standing. The lower your score, the better you've done.

Manage to close every tile? Congratulations — you've shut the box!

These are commonly used Shut the Box rules. Different versions may include additional rules or scoring variations.

In the box

• 1 × Wooden Shut the Box playing board in your selected version

• 2 × Dice

Notes

Each purchase includes one Shut the Box game in your selected size.

The 1–9 and 1–12 versions have different dimensions. Please check your selection carefully before ordering.