Activity: Design Your Own Board Game from Scratch

Perfect for: Indoors (great for rainy afternoons or group play)

Best for: Kids aged 7+ (develops logic, creativity, storytelling, and strategic thinking)

Activity Description:

In this challenge, kids become game designers. They’ll invent their own board game—creating the rules, the board, the characters, the cards, and the way to win. It can be silly, serious, cooperative, or competitive—but it must be original. This sparks imagination while building problem-solving and planning skills, and helps kids explore their interests in a completely creative way.

1. Choose a Theme That Feels Exciting

Let them pick any theme they love:

• Time travel rescue missions
• A race to build the best zoo or space station
• Mystery-solving in a haunted house
• Saving the planet from pollution
• A kindness competition
• Climbing a magical mountain full of choices

Anything that excites them is fair game.

2. Build the Board and Game Pieces

Use cardboard, markers, paper, or LEGO.

They can include:

• A game board with paths, zones, or levels
• Player pieces (drawn, modeled, or recycled objects)
• Cards with surprises, questions, or challenges
• Dice, a spinner, or numbered cards to take turns

Encourage fun extras: secret tunnels, power-ups, traps, or challenges!

3. Decide the Rules

Help them make a rules sheet that explains:

• How to start
• How to take turns
• What actions players can take
• How you win
• What makes the game interesting or unique

Let them test and tweak the rules as they go.

4. Play Together and Improve It

Play it with them—or let them run a game night with family or friends. See what works and what needs changing. This step teaches iteration and feedback—a great mindset for learning.

Optional: Design a box, logo, and ad poster like a real product.

5. Reflect and Expand

Ask them:

• “What do you love about your game?”
• “What other versions could you make?”
• “What’s something you’d invent next?”

They might even come up with expansions, sequels, or themed editions!

This activity is pure fun—but also builds storytelling, empathy (what will other players enjoy?), and real design skills. It might even spark a lifelong love of creating things from scratch.

Type n when you’re ready for the next brain-boosting adventure!