Start here when you are ready to play

How to Play MYST

Set up the cards, answer True/False questions, collect materials, and call “STEAM!” when an activity unlocks.

2–6 players

Great for families, friends, and small groups.

Choose rounds

1 round = 1 activity, about 15 minutes.

Most points wins

Score for answers, STEAM calls, and completed activities.

Why? The Science Explained Shop for Materials
Watch a quick how-to video

Setup

Use paper and a pencil to track scores. Choose how many rounds you want to play before you start.

Best experience:

Use 20–30 Material cards. For faster play, place 1 kept Material card face up before shuffling. Water is recommended.

1

True/False Deck

Shuffle the True/False cards and place them face down.

2

Material Setup

  • Have it → keep it
  • Don’t have it → remove it
3

Material Deck

Shuffle the kept Material cards and place them face down.

Start Playing

Each turn, one player is the active player. They answer a question, draw a Material card, and may call “STEAM!”

1

Ask a True/False question

The youngest player starts as the active player. The player to the left draws a True/False card and asks the active player the Level 1 or Level 2 question.

  • Use Level 1 if under age 12; otherwise use Level 2.
  • Correct answer → +1 point.
2

Draw a Material card

The active player draws 1 Material card and places it where all players can see it. Arrange cards in rows of five to form a grid.

3

Call “STEAM!”

The active player may call “STEAM!” if the Material cards in play unlock an activity. Correct call → +2 points.

4

Keep going

If no activity is unlocked, play continues clockwise.

Unlock an Activity

Scan all face-up Material cards. When the same number appears enough times, an activity unlocks.

Shape Key

Circle1 card
Oval2 cards
Triangle3 cards
Square4 cards
Pentagon5 cards

Example: Activity #4

If Activity #4 uses a triangle, you need 3 face-up Material cards showing “4.”

These cards unlock Activity #4:

Potatoes • Straws • Black Markers

Unanimous Skip: When an activity unlocks, all players may agree to skip it and keep playing for a different activity.

Activity Time! 🎉

Find the Activity card with that number and follow the steps.

  • Check the Activity card for exact material quantities.
  • Get those materials.
  • All players participate.
  • An activity can only be done once per game.

Winner

After your chosen rounds are complete, the player with the most points wins.