Wobbly Floating Stack Game

Wobbly Floating Stack Game is a balance stacking game featuring a floating platform inspired by the principle of a floating table. Instead of being rigidly supported, the platform is held in balance by elastic tension. Every move makes the stack wobble like crazy. We've added a print for 16 stacking blocks but the chance you'll ever need them all are close to zero ;-)

Components

Besides the print, you need:

• 2 thin rubber bands, preferably with a diameter of about 60-65mm.

• one extra piece of rubber band of a few centimeters that will be cut down to 12mm.

Easy print

PLA works perfect for this model. The stacking blocks can be printed with 5% triangle infill for fast prints. The platform parts can be printed without supports if you print at 0.15mm or at least not too fast and with an infill of at least 15%. 

There is a 3mf Prusaslicer file included for the frame, with settings that work, to get printing quickly

Assembly

Step 1 - Create the main suspension

The main suspension is a little piece of about 12mm rubber band with a knot on each side.

Begin by tying 2 knots in the loose piece of elastic band, with the knots about 12mm apart. This depends a bit on the stiffness of the elastic. Stiffer: 15mm, flexible: 10mm

Cut the elastic right after the both knots:

Step 2 - Place the main suspension

Slide the knot in the groove in one of the platform pieces:

Turn the other platform the other way around and slide the other knot in the groove of that platform:

Step 3 - Place the side suspensions

Wrap the 60mm elastic bands around through the top side edges:

Then wrap the bands around the bottom side edges, the platform will be tilted at first:

Then level the platform by pulling the shortest rubber bands and creating less tension until the platform is level. This might take some fiddling to get to a tension that you like. The top platform should be level with so much tension that it wobbles nicely when touched:

Step 4 - Place the Top cover

The top cover is optional. You can play without, but it looks better when attached.

Place it on top, in the groove:

Then push it in:

You're now ready to play! 😁

The game - Easy to learn, challenging to master.

How it works

The floating platform is suspended using elastic bands, creating constant tension between the base and the top.

As blocks are stacked, the center of gravity shifts, causing the platform to tilt and wobble. Players must carefully place each piece to keep the system in balance.

Single player

1. Start with an empty platform

2. Place one block at a time on the platform.

3. Try to stack as many blocks as possible without the platform tipping or blocks falling off.

Your score is the number of successfully placed blocks.

Two players

1. Players take turns placing one block.

2. Each player may use only one hand.

3. If the platform tips too far or any block falls off, that player loses the round.

4. Play best of three rounds, or continue until only one player remains steady.

Variations & difficulty

• Change elastic band thickness or length to adjust difficulty

• Use blocks of different sizes or weights (not included)

• Play with a timer, or only your non-dominant hand