Our Shut the Box Compendium is a fantastic dice game set, featuring a leather lined Black Walnut frame, poker dice, normal dice, two decks of playing cards and a deck of Happy Families and Snap, plus a comprehensive rulebook with instructions for many games. An excellent introduction to the basics of arithmetic and numbers for younger players, and casual fun for older participants.
The History of Shut the Box is unknown but records of the game can be traced back to 19th Century France. The game did not appear in England, however, until the mid 20th Century. Jaques were one of the first companies to market Shut the Box in the UK. The game itself is a dice game for one or more players. The object of the game is to cover all the numbers, or 'shut the box', according to throws of the dice. The Jaques version of the game features a leather lined Black Walnut frame and includes dice, poker dice, two packs of Jaques' Playing cards, Happy Families and Snap plus rules for several Shut the Box games. This Shut the Box Compendium is an excellent way to teach numbers and mathematics.
Black Walnut Box (Closed): 30.5cm x 22.5cm x 5cm
Dice: 1.5cm
Playing Cards: 8.5cm x 5.5cm
Snap Cards: 8.5cm x 5.5cm
Happy Family Cards: 8.5cm x 5.5cm
Independent Customer Reviews
3.0/5 from 2 reviews of this product
Delivery Information
Explore our delivery services and choose the perfect option for you.
All options are UK Mainland only unless stated. Croquet Mallets, Croquet Sets & Luxury Chess are excluded from ParcelShop and Premium delivery see below:
🚚 ParcelShop Delivery – EVRI (3-5 Working Days)
- £3.95 for all orders
🚚 Standard Delivery – EVRI (3-5 Working Days)
- £4.50 for all orders
🚚 Standard Delivery – FedEx (2-3 Working Days)
- £5.95 for all orders
- Includes Croquet Mallets, Croquet Sets (3–5 Working Days)
- Includes Luxury Chess (5–10 Working Days)
🚚 Premium Delivery – FedEx (Next Working Day)
- £7.95 for all orders
- Order by 1pm Monday – Friday for next-working-day delivery
(excludes weekends & bank holidays)
- Postcode exclusions may apply
🚚 Northern Ireland Standard Delivery – EVRI (7-10 Working Days)
- £7.95 for all orders
- This option is not available for orders that include Croquet Mallets, Croquet Sets & Luxury Chess
*All Orders placed after 1pm on Monday-Friday and placed on a weekend or Bank Holiday will be processed on the next working day.
Returns FAQ's
We want you to absolutely love your new toy! 🧸💛 But if something’s not quite right, no worries, we make returns as easy as a game of tic-tac-toe! You’ve got until 31 January 2027 to send it back, hassle-free. 🎉 Want to know exactly how it works? Check out the process in our next question where we break it all down! 🔍✨
For more information please read our full FAQ on returns page.
Sending something back? No worries, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…4! 🎲✨ Here’s how it works:
-
Reach out to our super-friendly Customer Service Team 🦸♂️💬 Just let us know what you’d like to return and why—we’re here to help!
-
We’ll send you a step-by-step guide and a handy returns form. 📩 No guesswork needed, we make it smooth and simple!
-
Pop your item back in its original packaging and send it our way. 📦🚚 (Make sure it’s unused, and don’t forget your proof of postage!)
-
Once your return lands safely with us, we’ll process your refund faster than you can say abracadabra!
Easy peasy! Got questions? Just give us a shout we’re happy to help! 🎉😊 Check out our full returns page here.
Great question! Once you’ve sent your return back to us (don’t forget to keep your proof of postage! 📩), we’ll work our magic and process your refund within 7 working days. 💰✨ It’ll go straight back to your original payment method, easy peasy! If you need any help along the way, just give us a shout! 🎉 Click here to contact us.
How it compares
| Other Retailers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 7 | Often no real age guidance |
| Maker | Jaques of London, since 1795 | No real maker history |
| Returns | Easy returns until 31 Jan 2027 | Shorter window, or none |
Questions parents ask
Shut the Box compendium or just the standard set, which should I get?
The compendium adds two decks of Jaques playing cards, Happy Families and Snap to the dice and poker dice, all in one Black Walnut box. It suits a household wanting several card and dice games rather than one box for one game.
What is the Shut the Box frame actually made of?
A Black Walnut frame lined with leather, not painted softwood or plastic. It closes into a box 30.5cm by 22.5cm by 5cm.
What age is Shut the Box suitable for?
It suits players from around 7 years and up. Younger players use it to learn numbers and basic arithmetic, while older players play it as a straightforward dice game.
How do you actually play Shut the Box?
Players throw the dice and cover the matching numbers on the box, aiming to cover them all and shut the box. A full rulebook covers this and several other games.
What comes inside the Jaques Shut the Box compendium?
Ordinary dice, poker dice, two packs of Jaques playing cards, a Happy Families deck, a Snap deck, and a rulebook covering multiple games. Everything needed for several game nights sits in one box.
How big is the Shut the Box box when it is closed?
Closed, the Black Walnut box measures 30.5cm by 22.5cm by 5cm. The dice are 1.5cm and the playing cards, Snap cards and Happy Families cards are each 8.5cm by 5.5cm.
Is Shut the Box a good gift for grandparents to play with grandchildren?
It works well for that. It is easy enough for younger children learning numbers, and the extra card games in the compendium keep older players involved too.
Where does the game Shut the Box actually come from?
Its exact origin is unknown, but it can be traced to 19th century France. It did not reach England until the mid 20th century, and Jaques was among the first UK companies to sell it.
Ready when you are
Shut the Box - Grand Black Walnut Shut The Box With Lid Compendium
Was £156.99
£97.81 37% off
Easy returns · Making games since 1795 · Secure checkout