Thinking sheet · Imagine and invent

Invent a Board Game

Design a board game: the board, the pieces and the rules. Then play it with a friend.

Grades
1–5
Time
about 35 minutes
Kids practice
writing instructions, design, testing and improving

What kids do

“Invent a game! Draw the board and write the rules.”

  1. My game board
  2. Rules
  3. The game pieces
  4. Name of the game and how you win:

How to run it

  • Look at a simple board game first: start, finish, spaces.
  • Add special spaces: slide back, jump ahead.
  • Play and fix the rules that didn’t work.

Talk about it

  • What makes a game fun?
  • Which rule did you have to change?
  • Is your game more luck or skill?

Take it further

Make the game for real on cardboard.

Pairs well with

Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.

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