How to Make Your Own Board Game

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.