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How to Make Your Own Board Game

SAFETY FIRST: Ask an adult to help with tools you haven't used before.

Design and make your own board game to take family game night to the next level of fun.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A BOARD GAME

  • Posterboard, cardboard or cardstock
  • Game tokens, such as small toys
  • Blank note cards or construction paper
  • Dice
  • Pencil, markers, crayons, paint and stickers
  • Paper
  • Ruler

WHAT YOU’LL DO TO MAKE A BOARD GAME

STEP 1. Create an outline of your board game on a sheet of paper. This includes the title of your game, instructions, rules, the number of players and any storyline you want your game to have.

STEP 2. On a sheet of paper, sketch out what you want your board game to look like. This will be your go-by guide. Get creative!

STEP 3. Create your board game. Place the posterboard, cardboard or cardstock on a flat, hard surface such as a table or smooth, uncarpeted floor. Using the ruler, pencil and your sketch from Step 2, design your game. Ask a parent or older sibling for help with this step if needed. Make your board colorful using markers, crayons and stickers. If using paint, cover your work area with newspaper to prevent making a mess!

STEP 4. Make the pull cards by cutting blank note cards in half. You can also make the cards with construction paper. Fold the paper into fours, and cut out each rectangle. Create as many pull cards as you want. Next, fill in the cards with simple instructions. For example, they can require the player to go back to start, move forward or back a few spaces, or switch places with another player.

STEP 5. Gather the game tokens and dice. You can use the tokens from an old board game, buy new pieces or use items around your house. Examples of some tokens are toy cars, pawns, miniature toy people and math counters.

STEP 6. Finally, it’s time to play! Round up enough family and friends to meet the required number of players. Then grab the dice and roll!


LEARN MORE ABOUT GAME DESIGN

If you thought this project was fun, check out the Game Design merit badge.


Submit a Photo of Your Project

Important Note: Please only upload photos of your project. Because of privacy rules, we can't post any photos that show people's faces. Always ask for your parent's permission before uploading anything to a website.

29 Comments on How to Make Your Own Board Game

  1. It is realy good i now know how too make ay game.

  2. bruhh

  3. this helped me alot

  4. Fun now il

  5. MonopolyMastery7890 // September 22, 2023 at 8:49 pm // Reply

    This is helpful, but I think I will stick to using thick paper and markers for making a fun, easy to play game.

  6. CyberCat23 // July 5, 2023 at 4:26 pm // Reply

    it looks hard but its actually not that bad! TSM!

  7. kspinit300 // July 2, 2023 at 4:28 pm // Reply

    thank you so much it helped a ton;)

  8. This helps a lot.
    You have probably teachen a lot of kids.

  9. fun

  10. I HATE THIS SM DONT EVERY TRY IT IT IS SOO COMPLICATED.

  11. SamMyAm YouTube // May 14, 2023 at 7:43 am // Reply

    Very logical!

  12. This really helped thank you!

  13. this was helpful and fun!

  14. i hate this

  15. im making this game for my math class with all the problems on cards sm fun!!!!

  16. So fun to play with!

  17. i love this article. // April 7, 2023 at 1:14 am // Reply

    this is very easy and can even be used for sketching out a board game that sells

  18. How can I come up with the name for my game?

  19. headhunter // March 15, 2023 at 4:32 am // Reply

    nice

  20. Leave a comment // February 16, 2023 at 2:01 pm // Reply

    so fun

  21. It’s fun to make your own game

  22. thank you for teaching me this am going to create a game

  23. that a good idea

  24. qwertyuiop // March 20, 2022 at 5:19 pm // Reply

    Easy And Fun.

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