When I have an idea for a new board game, I start work first on a blank sheet of 8-1/2 x 11" white paper. I sketch things out first with a pencil. Sometimes I use graph paper with those light blue lines if I really want things to line up exactly by hand. (By the way, these blue lines do not show on a photocopier.) The next step is to create everything with Microsoft Word and the "AutoShapes" features with color added, adding child-appealing clip art to make it more interesting and fun. Of course, doing this part by hand with colored markers and a white-out pen and attaching color graphics with rubber cement are options.
I then go to a retail copy store and make several copies in color enlarged to 11x17". This size fits nicely on a large piece of oaktag (heavy paper). I use rubber cement for "glue," let dry, and then laminate. I make enough boards so that there are small groups of children (best size of the group is three) at each game board. One child sits in front of the game board and then other two are on the right and left sides of the game board, so everyone can easily see and read the board. I use small manipulatives that complement the game theme for individual place markers. The children's real favorites are small plastic fruits and animals and plain old beans or buttons. Checkers are another option. Two catalogues with a wide selection of these items, including spinners and dice are:
Before the game is played by everyone, I devote class time to have a mini-demo with a small, hand-picked group of children surrounded by the rest of the class. And I use
to make exercises to reinforce the necessary vocabulary that was introduced beforehand several days before the actual "game day." In fact, "Puzzlemaker" now allows teachers to "file" their created exercises for access later.
This site has lots of blank templates for games:
Also go to Tech Help for more game-making links.
Enjoy playing board games with your classes.
