Learn Together
Making up new games is a great way for children to use their imagination and practice their working memory. Remembering rules and instructions is an important executive function skill that children can develop from an early age.
Materials
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Small toys or objects
- Pencils, markers, or crayons
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Brass fastener (optional)
Make Together
- First, decide how many players can play your game. Collect small toys or objects for each player’s game piece. You can also create your own.
- Get a large piece of cardboard or large piece of paper to be your game board.
- Decide how you want to design your board. Do you want to draw your spaces in the shape of a rectangle, like Monopoly? Or a circle, like Trouble? Or a snake, like Candy Land? Once you decide, draw out the shape and identify a start and finish.
- How will your pieces move forward? Will you move by rolling dice, picking a card, or using a spinner? Design your own cards or spinner with numbers that tell you how many spots to move.
- Create a spinner by cutting out a circle from paper. Use a straight edge or ruler to draw lines to divide your circle up like a pie. Number each slice. Draw an arrow on cardboard and cut it out. Place your arrow on the center of your circle. Push a brass fastener or paperclip through the arrow and your circle. Now your arrow can spin!
- Create a list of rules to play your game and come up with a fun and catchy title that represents all of your hard work.
Congratulations! You’re ready to play!