Activity And Project

Let's Play a Game

Grades
3 - 5
Activity Time
One hour to create the game and then time to play
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Activity Description

Playing board games or card games can be a fun activity, so why not make your own? Working together, the players will decide what the game will look like, how it will be played, and what kinds of materials are needed. When the game and directions are complete, have fun playing it!

Why This Is Helpful

Playing games can be fun. They bring people together and encourage cooperation, sharing, turn-taking, and sportsmanship. Creating a game together has the players think through the process, write about the process, and solve problems. Many literacy skills, such as reading and communicating, are part of playing games.

This activity was modified from the ReadWriteThink lesson plan "Technical Reading and Writing Using Board Games."

What You Need

Here's What To Do

  1. Working together, decide what kind of game will be created. Think about and share what kind of games you like to play and how you can make your own. You can also look at a list of games and their rules to get some ideas.
  2. Most games have a purpose-what will be the purpose of your game? Will the winner capture the most pieces? Does the hero need to get to the heroine? Do you want the highest score or the lowest?
  3. Collect all of the needed supplies.
  4. If making a board game:
    • Open the folder and draw the game board. You can also glue one of the sample board designs to the inside of the folder or posterboard. The layout should cover as much of the inside of the sturdy paper as it can with the game board.
    • Write the name of the game on the folder tab.
  5. If creating a card game or dice game, plan what will be on the cards and/or the recording sheets.
  6. If making a game with tiles, write letters, numbers or words on them to fit into the game.
  7. Once the board or other materials have been created, write the game's instructions. Include a title, materials needed, game play steps, and any diagrams that will help people play your game.
  8. Create additional game pieces and question cards if needed. Paper clips with colored paper attached to them make great player markers.
  9. Decorate the front cover of the folder with the game title and other pictures and images.
  10. Place all game pieces and question cards in envelopes. Zipper-seal bags attached to the game board with tape also make great pockets to hold question cards and game pieces.
  11. Once the game has been designed and created, play it to see if everything makes sense. If not, make adjustments until the game can be played.
  12. Play and have fun!

More Ideas To Try

  • Boxes or circles could be arranged to form pathways.
  • One large circle could be formed for players to work their way toward the middle.
  • Games can be based on children's favorite games: Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, Yahtzee, or Scrabble.
  • The game can be based on a favorite book, TV show, or movie.

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