Click here to read Two Ways to Make DIY Board Games for Kids on Hands On As We Grow
Have you noticed how much kid learn from just playing board games? Alisha shares two simple ways to create your own board games for kids!
I have found that board games for kids can teach them so much; taking turns, being a graceful winner or loser, academic skills, problem-solving, and teamwork.
But have you noticed how expensive and complicated they can get? So as a hands-on mom I thought, I’ll just make a few myself.
These two super simple DIY board games will keep your kids having fun, while learning, and spending time building relationships and making memories.
Here is a list of some other great homemade games.
You’ll only need a few materials to make your board game(s), but depending on how many game boards you make and the theme of your game boards, your materials may differ slightly.
What we used to make our board games:
- Cardboard (from an old box) or a small poster board
- Markers
- Die or dice
- Figurines (whatever you have at home)
- Glue (optional)
When making your own DIY board game, I recommend starting simple and then as you’ve played the game a few times, you can always add something, omit a piece, or increase the complexity.
The beautiful thing about DIY, is you can change it up as you please.
I’ll share two simple approaches and you can choose to use just one or choose to make both; it’s totally up to you.
Making a “Point A to Point B” DIY Board Game for Kids
The purpose of the game is to get from Point A to Point B by rolling the die and counting each space on the game board path.
A person wins by moving their figurine from Point A and reaching Point B first.
The first step is to get a nice size of cardboard (I used the sides and bottom of a box).
Then, brainstorm with the kids for a theme. It’s really up to your preferences and which figurines you already have on hand (the goal is to not have to buy anything).
Theme ideas: space, automobiles, animals, sea creatures, insects, Lego people, even pom poms.
Draw your game board by making a path from Point A to Point B. I recommend a simple curvy path with squares for each space.
Then draw or find a picture to print and glue on for Point A and Point B (I just drew our pictures).
Depending on the theme of your board game, Point A could be the Earth and Point B the Moon, or Point A could be a barn and Point B could be the pasture. You can decide based on the figurines you have to use and your kids’ interests.
We decided to use an automobile theme; so Point A was a set of tires and Point B was the garage.
Once your board is complete (with your path and pictures), it’s time to add in the game pieces (figurines) and a die.
We each chose a favorite toy car for our game pieces, so a total of three cars for three players.
Realistically, you can have as many game pieces as needed to accommodate as many players as you have.
Rules to get playing
- Line all the game pieces at Point A and choose who will go first (we had youngest go first).
- The first person rolls the die and moves that many spaces on the game board.
- Then the second person rolls and on it goes until someone is the first to land on Point B (have to roll exact amount to land on it).
Mix it up with some variations:
Once you have played on the super simple game board a few times; I recommend adding a few “additions” to your game board path.
- Actions on the Board: You could make one square say “lose a turn”, or another to say “move two spaces ahead or two spaces back”, another idea could be “roll again.”
- Colored Squares: you could add some color to your game board to work on color recognition and patterns.
This variation will bring more challenge and excitement to your DIY board game!
Making an “Object Collection” DIY Board Game for Kids
In this second board game style, the purpose is to move around the game board path and collect the object from the middle of the path.
A person wins by moving their figurine around the board and collecting the most objects.
The first step is to get a piece of cardboard and decide upon your theme.
Draw your game board by making a big circle on the outside and a smaller circle on the inside, then connect both circles with lines to form the spaces.
Then simply write Start on one of the spaces and draw or add a picture in the middle of the circle to match your theme.
Don’t forget to label your game squares!
For this board game approach, you will need to write in a phrase on a few of the path spaces in order to collect the objects.
- Pick a few spaces (about 4) to write “collect a [insert object you are using].”
- Since we used a dinosaur theme with a volcano, we collected lava rocks, so our board said “collect a lava rock.”
Then, you’ll need to collect your objects to fill up the center of the circle.
Depending on the theme of your board game; you could use gems, animal pieces, Legos, rocks, beads, or pom poms.
Once your board is complete and your items are in the center, it’s time to add in the game pieces (figurines) and a die.
Side Note: You may decide to use a pair of dice if your kids are able to count higher than six and/or if you want to work on addition or subtraction.
We each chose a favorite toy dinosaur for our game pieces.
You can have as many game pieces as needed to accommodate as many players as you have.
Rules to get playing
- You line all the game pieces at the starting point.
- The first person rolls the die and moves that many spaces on the game board.
- If they land on a “collect a [object]” space then they get one object, if not, then they just wait until their next turn.
- Then the second person rolls and on it goes until all of the objects in the middle are gone.
Once all the objects have been removed from the center, each player counts their objects and the person with the most is the winner!
Both of these DIY board game approaches are a simple hands-on activity to practice math and social skills… all while having fun together!
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