Board games for kids to make are at the top of the list for activities that youngsters of all ages are likely to find both entertaining and educational. Children can learn a great deal from making their own board games, and they will enjoy playing with games they made themselves.
Board Games for Kids to Make from Scratch
The process of creating board games can be an excellent bonding experience for parents and children. Whether your youngsters are just old enough to recognize shapes, or they have already surpassed their parents when it comes to computer skills, there are options to create fun board games that will be just right for them.
Pairs
Some of the easiest board games for kids to make involve creating board games with pictures cut out of magazines. Creating a Pairs game can be very simple, and playing the game is a great way to help young children develop the ability to recognize similarities and differences in images.
To make a pairs game, you will need:
- 12 cards, or pieces of poster board cut into card size rectangles
- 2 playing boards, each long and wide enough for six pictures cut from a magazine.
- Safety scissors (Parents can do the cutting for kids who are too young to cut safely.)
- Glue (Parents can help out here too.)
Instructions for creating your game:
- Cut 12 pairs of identical photos from magazines
- Separate the pairs into complete sets.
- Stick one set of pictures on individual cards.
- Stick 6 of the pictures from the second set on each playing board
How to Play Pairs:
Pairs is designed for two players. Each player gets one of the playing boards. Players simply take turns choosing cards from a the stack of face down picture cards. When a player draws a card that matches a picture on his or her playing board, the card is placed on the board. Otherwise, the card goes to the bottom of the stack. The first player with a complete board is the winner.
Auntie Annie's Games to Make
Aunt Annie's Games to Make Craft Software allows kids 8 and older to create a wide variety of board games from scratch. This educational software program includes more than 40 games from different cultures and periods throughout history. This software includes the history of each game, instructions for making all of the pieces and equipment needed, and complete rules for each game.Games include:
- Board Solitaire, also known as peg solitaire
- Dominoes
- Games of Mancala
- Match Card Games
- Snakes and Ladders
- Various Hunt Board Games
- War Board Games
- Many others
Board Games for Kids to Make From Store-Bought Sets
Creating unique board games is such a popular activity that several toy manufacturers make and market do-it-yourself board game kits.
Make Your Own Game Kit
The Make Your Own Game kit allows kids 6 and over to create their own board game from scratch. It includes a basic game board which children can decorate. The set also includes a spinner, a deck of cards, two dice, and game pieces.
Make Your Own Opoly
Your Own Opoly combines modern computers and standard board games. Children 8 and over will enjoy creating their own custom Monopoly style board game. The set includes a CD Rom and clip art guide that youngsters can use to print out decorations for the included game board. The set also includes printer paper and labels, game pieces, and dice.
Crafting, Learning, and Playing
When children engage in creative activities such as making their own board games, they learn many important lessons. For example, they develop crafting skills and are able to stretch their imaginations and utilize their creativity. Kids who can make and play games will always be able to find a way to entertain themselves in a constructive manner.
Kids who learn to make board games get to experience the satisfaction of a job well done and have an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labors when playing their handmade games. They also learn important lessons in frugality by seeing firsthand that fun games don't have to cost a lot of money.
