The school year has begun and the big kids are off to school. The mornings are a bit chaotic but things quiet down after they head out the door. That is until my little three year old pipes up that she wants to go to school like the big kids. I of course found a way to oblige her. A few times a week we do school time together. I try to make this time together fun but educational. To spice things up I create activities to go along with what we are learning. One of my favorite activities to create are board games! These themed board are very simple to make but the really add some pizazz to learning. Today I’m going to share with you a brief tutorial on how to create your own board game!
Supplies Needed:
Sunday Morning Element Pack by Jacque Larsen
Family Tree by Kate Hadfield
Sketchbook Pages by Kate Hadfield
Presentation paper
Scissors
Glue runner
Manilla folder
Lamination (optional)
1. Open a new document in Photoshop and size it to be slightly smaller than your folder. My dimensions ended up being 7.75 in x 21 in.
2. Design your board game. We are studying the letter B this week and the letter C next week. I thought a board game about The Very Hungry Caterpillar would be very appropriate. I also would be able to get TWO weeks worth of games out of my ONE board game. I used Sunday Morning Element Pack, Family Tree, and Sketchbook Pages to create my board game.
3. To prepare for printing first crop your board game in half. Then merge the visible layers.
4. Using the move tool drag your board game to a new 8.5 x 11 document. Print. Repeat process for right side of board game.
5. Create pieces for your board game. I went a little overboard and created my own die for the game. The caterpillar and butterfly will be the tokens.
7. Print and cut out game pieces.
8. Glue board game onto folder.
9. Laminate. This will add to the durability of the board game.
10. Enjoy playing your game! I plan on having my daughter practice her name with this board game. I will point to a letter in her name and if she can name it she gets to roll the die. If she gets it wrong I get to roll the die. We will also use this to practice writing her name in the same manner. This also could be used with older kids as a fun way to practice math facts, spelling words, etc. The uses are limitless!
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and it inspires you to create some some of your own board games. Please share any of your creations with us in TLP Gallery. We love to see what you make!
Trista says
This is so adorable Jewelle!!
Jacque says
This is so cute!!!!
Kate says
Oh wow, Jewelle! This is fabulous! You always come up with the most amazing project ideas, thanks for sharing!
Jenn McCabe says
this is super cute!
Sue says
super cute!
With permission from designer of paper/elements
…this would be a fantastic offering at teachers pay teachers!