make your own board game assignment

Ideas on gamification, project based learning and genius hour to encourage students to become lifelong learners in the age of technology.

• Gamification
• Mystery Pixel Art
• Color by Numbers

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

More than a "design your own board game" project.

Final Design 

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Game-opoly: Designing & Building Your Own Board Game

Introduction: Game-opoly: Designing & Building Your Own Board Game

• By researching and preparing a presentation about board games, students will develop and improve 21 st century presentation skills.
• By executing design concepts on the computer, students will develop and explore graphic design techniques using Adobe PS and Illustrator.

Attachments

Step 1: Research & Present

Step 2: Presentation Day

• This is not a formal presentation. Don't worry about wearing a suit and tie. You're not presenting to a board of directors. You're basically just having a conversation with the class about the cool things you found out about board games.
• Try to have fun with your presentation. Board games are fun, so the information should be fun.
• Use technology to your advantage. You have a smart board at your finger-tips. Ask to try it out before you present so that you're comfortable with what it can do.
• Think outside of the BOX . Your presentation will stand out in the mind's of your audience if you do something original or unexpected. 
• Content is important, but so is delivery. You might have the best ideas, but it's possible to kill those ideas with a poor presentation.
• Immerse yourself in your project. The easiest presentation to give is the one you know everything about. You don't have to memorize anything if you know it already. You'll find that when you present something you're passionate about, it will just come naturally.
• Make sure that all of your group members have something to contribute to the presentation. There are many different ways to do this.

Step 3: Brainstorm

• Make sure that you have a pencil and some scrap paper. Write EVERYTHING down. Most people discard what they think is a bad idea before it even gets to paper. A lot of times a bad idea is all it takes to help someone think of a good idea. If you put it on paper, other people will have a chance to interpret the information in a different way.
• Get feedback from as many possible sources. Talk about your ideas to everyone. You'll be surprised by who gives you the best feedback and inspires you to come up with your best creative thought.
• Your rough work is part of the DESIGN PROCESS . Keep it all, and hand it all in. It's like GOLD , and is actually worth a lot of marks.

Step 4: Logo Design

• Brainstorm ideas for the name of your board game company.
• Once you have a name picked out, prepare a page of rough sketches for your logo.
• There might be one member of your group who completes this task. Logos are fun though, so maybe each member of the group creates a concept and then you vote on the final concept.
• Take the time to come up with a great name and a catchy logo. You'll be using it later when you design the box for your game.

Step 5: Sketch

• Try to be original. You might model your game after an existing game, but please make it different. I don't want to play RISK under a differnt name.
• Again..... write everything down. You're being marked on your design process and your rough work is like GOLD!
• The most important thing to figure out is the CONCEPT of your game and the RULES .
• Once you get a rough idea of the concept and the rules, make a crude version of your game and try to play it. Tweak the rules as you go until you stumble upon something that is fun and intriguing to play.
• You'll be surprised how much your concept changes. Don't forget to get feedback from as many sources as possible.
• Once you think you have the concept and rules figured out, start to think about and sketch what the final board, pieces, cards and box might look like.

Step 6: Design

• Adobe Illustrator works with VECTORS . This means that you can draw clear crisp lines that can be scaled up and down without the loss of resolution. THIS IS A GOOD THING.
• Adobe Photoshop use PIXELS.  If you design an element of your game and decide to enlarge it later, it may become pixelated. Make sure to draw your designs full size and start at a minimum resolution of 300 .
• It's not a bad idea to draw the layout of your board or box in Illustrator, and then export to Photoshop to add graphic elements.
• Decide what box you intend to use. Unfold it, measure it, and draw the outline of the box in ILLUSTRATOR.
• If you choose a box larger than the one pictured, you won't be able to print the entire design on one page.

Step 7: Build the Box

• Print out your good copy of the box.
• Peel a sheet of DRYTAC laminate film and place it carefully over your design. Try to avoid dust and air bubbles.
• Let the heat press heat up to approximately 80 degrees.
• Make sure to put a piece of transfer paper on top of the laminate film.
• Clamp your box design in the heat press for approximately 15 seconds.
• Disassemble your box and lay it flat on the table.
• Spray the top side of your box and the back side of your box design with spray adhesive. 
• Wait for a minute and then stick the two sides together. You only get ONE chance, so make sure it's lined up properly.
• Trim the excess paper with an x-acto knife and reassemble your box.

Step 8: The Board & the Pieces

• After the board is printed out you will glue it to a piece of white foam core that is 20" x 30".
• Use spray adhesive to coat the back of your board and the piece of foam core.
• Carefully align the board and then press it on to the foam core. Remember... you only get one chance to line this up.
• To protect your board, apply a layer of DRYTAC laminating film to the top of your board and clamp it in the heat press for 15 seconds.
• Trim the edges of your board and then cut through the paper backing of foam core to make your creases. Please measure carefully, and make sure not to press too hard on the knife. You don't want to cut all the way through.
• Depending on the size of your board, you may need to make several cuts so that the board folds more than once.
• The thing about making the pieces is that it's easier to find existing ones.
• If you can't think of something to use for your pieces, please ask and I will help you figure something out.
• A good way to make tiles is to print your designs, glue them to a sheet of plastic, laminate them and then cut them out.
• You might also be able to modify existing pieces as shown in the last picture.

Step 9: Commercial Advertising

• Create a stop motion commercial for your game using Stop Motion Pro.
• Create a 2D animated commercial for your game using 2D animation software.
• Create a live action commercial by shooting video and editing it in Adobe Premiere.

Step 10: Final Presentation

Step 11: Play

Step 12: That Was FUN!!

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Chloe Campbell Education

Resources for your classroom

How To Use Student Created Board Games in the Classroom

by Chloe Campbell Leave a Comment

If you aren’t using board games in your classroom , you’re missing out! Board games are an easy way to get students excited about learning.  Most of the time, they’ll forget they’re actually practicing skills or learning new concepts when they’re playing board games.  I’ve used board games in my class for several years for small group work, early finisher activities , review, and to help reinforce new skills.  When I introduced student created board games though, it was a total game changer!  

I’m sharing more on exactly what student created board games are, how to create a board game creation assignment,  and how to use the board games in your classroom! 

What are student created board games?

Student created board games are just that – a game that students create by designing a game board, coming up with questions and answers, and writing gameplay instructions. You may provide a game board template to your students or have them design one from scratch.  

You can implement student board game creation as an individual assignment, partner project, or in small groups.  Board games can be made for any subject area also:

• Math problems
• Reading comprehension
• Vocabulary terms
• Spelling lists
• Science topics
• Geography quizzes
• History questions

There are dozens of types of board games that your students could create.  While it’s fun to create more intricate games, it can easily become overwhelming for both the student creator and the students playing the game.  I suggest focusing on more straight-forward board games in the classroom. 

Assigning a board game creation project

One of the most important steps to assigning a board game creation assignment is to ensure your students are familiar with educational-based board games.  Offer plenty of opportunities to play the games in class so students are comfortable with how they are designed, how to play, and the types of questions that work well for games.  

If you’re looking for board games to play in the classroom, I have over 200 board games in my Teachers Pay Teachers store! 

Once your students have experience playing different board games in the classroom, it’s time to expand and allow them to get creative.  

Assigning a board game creation project can be a big undertaking as a teacher. Make the process easier on yourself by providing things like templates, art supplies, and even sample questions.  If you’re allowing students to choose things like what type of pawns or game advancement tool (dice, spinner, etc) they will be using, be sure to have those on hand!  Keep board games available for students so they can refer to them and use them for guidance when creating their games. 

Although it can be fun to get super creative and give your students lots of freedom, you may want to set some basic guidelines. Consider using a rubric for the student created board game assignment.  Even if you aren’t grading the board games, it can be used as a tool for guiding students.  

You can assign the project as a small group, partner, or individual project.  If this is the first time you’re doing a board game creation assignment in your class, I would suggest setting it up as a partner project.  Working with a partner isn’t as intimidating as working alone for some students.  

Steps to Creating a Board Game

First, you’ll want to decide which skills you want students to focus on when creating their board games.  It’s best to stick to just one skill so the game isn’t overwhelming and can be easily used as a study tool or review activity for a specific skill. 

Once students know which skill their game will be created around, have them create an outline of how their game will be played.  It’s important for them to decide on aspects of the game before they get started.

Students should decide:

• What the game board will look like
• How players will advance on the board
• What types of questions will be asked

Review their outline and provide feedback before permitting them to start on any game board creation or question writing.  This will help them understand areas where they may need to be more specific or make adjustments to their game.   

If you’re completing the games completely in class, set timeframes for them to complete each phase of the game creation.

Phases of board game creation

• Game board design
• Question writing
• Instruction writing

Setting these guidelines will keep students productive and moving at an acceptable pace.  If they start to struggle or fall behind, they can ask for assistance.  Checking in frequently is important during the entire process so you don’t end up at the finish line with games that were stalled during one of the steps.  

Once the games are completed, it’s time to start implementing them into the classroom. I suggest having students “test” their games with their peers in small groups.  This helps iron out any kinks and allows the creator to receive feedback.  Reinforce that this isn’t a “judging” of the games, but rather a test group in order to help the creator make any tweaks and improvements that are needed. You can create a form or checklist so students can write down 3 things they like about the game and 1 thing that could be improved upon to give to the creator.  This will help students receive both positive and constructive feedback.  

Once the game has been tested with a small group it’s ready for use in the classroom!

Using student created board games in class

There are so many ways you can use student created board games in class.  Obviously, they are great for centers, small group activities, and for early finishers.  You can also use them for reviews and extra skill practice if needed. 

You may find that some of the games created work really well in class.  If you come across a student made game that you may want to hang onto for other classes or future years, be sure to ask permission from that student to add their game to your “board game inventory”.  Not only will this be a great achievement for the student, but you can also share with other students who use that game later that it was a student created board game.  Show an example of a student created game to help other students build confidence when it’s their turn to create their own games.  

Do you use board games in your class?  Have you given your students the opportunity to create their own games?  I’d love to hear about your board game creation process! Share in the comments below! 

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How to Make a Board Game for a School Project

Kimberley mcgee, 26 jul 2018.

It’s one assignment students tend to get excited about: When a school assigns the task of creating a board game project, the ideas for fun puzzles and playing themes are seemingly limitless. Board games are a great way to get a student involved in learning new things.

Explore this article

• Homemade Board Games and Education
• Board Game Assignment Ideas
• Rules of Play

things needed

• Game board: manila folder, cardboard, foam board, tag board or legal size white paper
• Game box: cardboard gift box or tag board
• Markers or crayons
• Additional tag board, card stock or manila folders
• Craft knife (optional)
• 3x5 index cards (optional)

1 Homemade Board Games and Education

Board games aren’t just fun, they can be a handy educational tool. When you build your own or create board game assignment ideas, you are approaching a lesson from different angles. For instance, a fourth grade math board game project can assist young minds in understanding new and often more complex math problems that haven’t been introduced in the curriculum yet. Board games can teach social skills and moral problems. When kids create their own board games and sets of rules to play, they are considering the concept of rules as well as cause and effect. They also teach children how to win as well as lose with grace.

2 Board Game Assignment Ideas

First, you will need to choose a topic to wrap your game around. This can be a favorite book, a period in history or the future, a math concept, science facts or current pop star crushes. Once you have chosen a topic you feel comfortable enough with to create a multi-layered game, grab a pen and paper and plot out what the board will physically look like. Consider what shape the pieces will be.

If you’ve chosen a singer, the pieces could look like musical notes or a microphone. A sea-themed board game can have starfish, fishing rods or dolphins. You can choose coins or buttons or create specialty pieces out of polymer clay. Next, think through how the pieces will be moved around the game. The players can draw cards, roll dice, flick a spinner or roll specially made dice that correspond with the game’s overall theme.

3 Rules of Play

Make sure to write down the rules to your game clearly. Consider any issues that may pop up when the pieces are moving around the board. Is there a go back to the start option? Are there cards that need to be chosen? Is there a penalty for not saying “blue” when a player lands on a blue square? Have a friend or classmate play out the game so that any issues that could arise can be dealt with before the board game is turned in.

• 1 Fractus Learning: What Board Games Teach Kids?

About the Author

Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing about education, jobs, business and more for The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Today’s Parent and other publications. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from UNLV. Her full bio and clips can be seen at www.vegaswriter.com.

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Blank Board Game Template Printables | Make Your Own Board Game

Make your own board game using a blank board game template! On this page you’ll find 6 unique board game templates in black and white and color. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, students sometimes have to make their own board games as part of a Language Arts or Social Studies assignment. Drawing a game board by hand can be tricky, and for that reason I’ve created this set of blank game boards for kids, students and teachers to print.

Blank Board Game Templates

Download the game board you like best, and print it onto sturdy card stock paper. On the blank game tiles, write what happens to a player when he or she lands on it, or create cards and ask players to draw a card. Students are welcome to print these printable game boards for a school project such as a book report or history assignment. Click on a board game template to open its PDF version in your browser.

Board Game Templates

Black and white.

All content is FREE for subscribing Members of Tim’s Printables. Not yet a member? Join today! Already a member? Please sign in to access the downloads.

Basic Board Game Templates

Next we have a set of printable board game tiles. Cut out all the tiles and create a game board path of your design.

And here are a few simple ready-made paths.

Printable Dice Templates

Don’t have any dice for your game? No problem, you can make those yourself too! Click the image below to download your dice template, or visit my Dice Templates post.

44 thoughts on “Blank Board Game Template Printables | Make Your Own Board Game”

Thank you for the templates. Also the resolution is excellent. Good job!

Thank you so much

So many ways to use these templates with ELLs. Thank you for sharing them.

Perfect for both kids and adult ELLS. Thank you.

Great for working with ELLs, both kids and adults. I can compose whatever content is relevant. Thank you!

This was helpful, but can you add some more templates, please?

I would be using it for a school project

these helped me a lot THANKS!!!

Thank you! These are great!

Thank you so much! Perfect for my lesson tomorrow at church, I really appreciate you sharing your talents!!!

great templates!!

Thank you! I wrote my daughter’s sight words on them and she would have to read the sight word when she landed on the space. If she didn’t know the word, I’d help her and she’d have to use it in a sentence. She knew ALL of her sight words by the end of the game and she had fun doing it. 🙂

Thank you so much for sharing these. My Brownie Troop girls are making games as part of earning their Games badges and will be using these to help save time. Greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your sharing! It’s so useful for a review lesson!

this is awsome

These are just lovely! Thank-you!

Thank you! Me and my group will use one of these for a college work that we will do.

Muchas gracias

Thanks for making these available!

Thank you so much! These look really good!

Thanks so much. These are awesome!

Thanks, not expensive to produce, easy to customise to specific students and ideal size to file as ‘evidence’.

Love it! thanks!

Many thanks! Good stuff.

Awesome templates, thanks for sharing. This was perfect for my college project for studying with board games.

Two thumbs up for your free blank black and white board game printable which may double as a reward chart.

Really great and useful templates. Thank you!

Thanks so much for these gameboards. I am going to use them tomorrow in class. I really appreciate them!

your the best thank you thank you thank you thank you

helpful so helpful

you work so good guys got to try it

thank you so much i got evrythinge i need so thank you

Hello, I would like to say @THank You@. You board templates are super good. I am very grateful for that.

Thank you so much. Much appreciated!

These are amazing. Thank you!!

Merci beaucoup 🙂

Thanks. You help me with my homework.

From Zoe.Wool

Great work. Thanks for sharing.

Thankyou so much for the great templates

Thank you VERY much for sharing the templates! Lovely!

this is good.

these are great! thanks!

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How to Create Your Own Online Board Game

• Richard Byrne
• July 6, 2020

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while probably know that Flippity is one of my go-to recommendations for anyone looking to make games, flashcards, and timelines with Google Sheets. Recently, Flippity introduced a new template for making your own online board game through Google Sheets.

With Flippity’s new board game template you can create a game that includes up to eight players, has up to three dice to roll, and interactive game squares. You game can also include videos, pictures, Google Drawings, and graphs. And your students can play your game without an email address or having to create any kind of online account. Take a look at my short video below to see how you can create and play your own online board game.

Key points from the video:

• You can customize the player markers and use pictures instead of the default markers. 
• You can include pictures in each game square. 
• You can use up to three dice in your game. 
• You can have each square on the board give a different direction or prompt. 
• Your deck of cards can include videos, pictures, links, and graphs. 

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Games Worksheet Templates

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If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What are Games Worksheets?

Games worksheets are educational resources that combine traditional worksheets with elements of games, making learning fun and engaging for students. These worksheets are designed to teach various concepts and skills through interactive and entertaining activities, such as board games, puzzles, and mazes. They can be used in a classroom setting or at home to help students practice and reinforce their knowledge in a fun and exciting way. With games worksheets, students can develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and teamwork skills, all while having fun and staying motivated to learn. There are various types of worksheet games available above, all of which can be tailored to suit different grade levels and subject areas. Looking for something bigger than a worksheet? Check out our poster board game templates !

The Benefits of Using Game Worksheets in the Classroom

Game worksheets are a fun and engaging way to teach and reinforce concepts in the classroom. By using game sheets, board game templates, and worksheet games for kids, teachers can create a dynamic learning experience that captures students' attention and makes learning enjoyable. Here are some of the key benefits of using game worksheets in the classroom:

• Student Engagement: Game worksheets can be played by one student or by the whole class, making them a versatile teaching tool that can be adapted to meet the needs of different students and classrooms.
• Saves Time: By using pre-made game worksheets and board game templates, teachers can save time that would otherwise be spent creating their own games and activities from scratch.
• Covers Different Topics: Game worksheets can be created for a wide range of topics and subjects, making them a flexible tool for teaching and reinforcing a variety of concepts.
• Develops Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills: Game boards require students to use problem solving and critical thinking skills to win the game, helping to develop these important skills in a fun and engaging way.
• Encourages Collaboration and Communication: Game worksheets can be played individually or in groups, providing opportunities for students to collaborate and communicate with each other while learning.
• Makes Learning Fun: Game worksheets are a fun and interactive way to teach and reinforce concepts, making learning enjoyable and engaging for students.

Try to create classroom games and incorporate game worksheets in your classroom. With a variety of board game templates and worksheet games for kids available on our website, it's easier than ever to create your own game worksheet. Start using our free game worksheets today and see the positive impact it has on your students' learning and engagement!

Ten Fun Board Game Ideas for Classroom Activities: Using Board Game Templates to Make Your Own Games

Looking for fun and interactive ways to engage your students in the classroom? Why not create your own board games using our collection of editable board game templates! These templates allow you to customize the game boards and cards with your own words and images, creating a unique and engaging learning experience for your students. In this part, we will share 10 fun board game ideas that you can easily create using a blank board game template or any of our pre-made board game templates available. From language arts to math, these games cover different topics and are sure to save you time while making learning fun for your students.

Here are ten board game ideas that you can use to engage your students in the classroom:

• History Trivia: Challenge your students to a game of historical trivia. Create a board game template with historical questions, and have students compete against each other to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
• Math Challenge: Make math more exciting with an editable board game template. Students must solve equations to move their game pieces along the board.
• Vocabulary Quest: Help students expand their vocabulary with a board game that incorporates blank spaces. Have students fill in the spaces with their own words and challenge them to define each other's words as they move around the board. Alternatively, you can use a bingo card with vocabulary words or concepts related to the lesson.
• Crossword Puzzle Board Game: Combine a classic crossword puzzle with a board game for a fun and challenging activity. Students can move around the board by answering crossword puzzle clues, and the first to reach the end wins.
• Geography Adventure: Take your students on a journey around the world with a geography-themed board game. Create a board game template with a map, and have students answer geography questions as they travel around the board.
• Science Quest: Test your students' scientific knowledge with a board game that challenges them to answer questions related to different topics, such as biology or chemistry.
• Art Race: Introduce your students to different artists and artistic styles with a board game that asks them to identify famous works of art.
• Literature Challenge: Use a blank board game template to create a game that challenges students to answer questions related to famous works of literature. For an added challenge, you can incorporate point of view worksheets into your literature board game. Have students answer questions about the point of view of different characters in the story, or ask them to identify the point of view being used in a particular passage.
• Cultural Exploration: Help students learn about different cultures with a board game that explores traditions, customs, and famous landmarks.
• Language Learning: Make learning a new language more fun with a game that helps students practice speaking and writing. Create prompts and questions related to vocabulary and grammar.

Make your own classroom games to have a fun and engaging learning experience for your students. Give these board game ideas a try, and see how they can help your students learn and have fun at the same time!

Looking for more related resources to enhance your classroom activities? Check out our matching worksheets templates , circle chart worksheet templates , images and text worksheet templates , and teacher templates . With our variety of resources, you can create engaging and interactive activities that are tailored to your students' needs and learning goals.

Make Your Own Board Game Using Our Board Game Maker

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to teach your students? Creating your own board game is a great way to do just that! With our board game maker, you can make a board game online for your classroom in just a few simple steps.

Our board game maker offers a variety of printable board game templates and printable game templates that you can customize to fit your lesson plan. You can also use our board game template maker to create your own unique game board from scratch.

The best part is that our board game creator is completely free to use! You can create fun worksheet games that align with your curriculum and provide your students with a unique and enjoyable learning experience.

To get started, simply choose an editable template from our library of free resources. Then, customize the board game template by adding your own questions, images, and instructions. You can even choose the colors and fonts to make your game board truly unique.

Once you've created your game, simply print it out and start playing! Your students will love playing the game and learning at the same time. You can also share your board game with other teachers or students by uploading it to your website or social media accounts.

So what are you waiting for? Start creating your own board game today with our board game maker and make learning fun and interactive for your students!

You can also try our handwriting worksheets creator , a great tool for creating customized handwriting practice sheets. Choose from a variety of templates and input the text you want your students to practice, and our creator will generate a personalized worksheet.

How to Make a Board Game

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have color, black and white, portrait, or landscape templates. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on "Copy Template"

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific questions and images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished with your worksheet, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions about Games Worksheets

How do i create my own game worksheet.

You can use board game templates or board game creator tools that are available on our website. We offer customizable templates that you can fill with your own questions and instructions. Once you have customized your template, you can print it out for your students to play.

What is a board game creator?

A board game creator is a tool that allows you to create your own custom board game from scratch. With a board game creator, you can choose your own game board, pieces, cards, and rules, and then save and print out your finished game for use in the classroom.

Are there free game worksheets available?

Yes. Storyboard That offers a 14-day free trial during which you can access all of their premium features, including their extensive library of customizable worksheets for games and activities. With a free trial, you can create and download worksheets for your classroom without any cost.

Can game worksheets be used for all age groups?

Yes, game worksheets can be used for all age groups, from elementary school to high school and beyond. The key is to choose games and activities that are age-appropriate and engaging for your students, and that help them to develop important skills and knowledge in a fun and interactive way.

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by JuliannaKunstler.com

assignment:

• Create a design for a dice board game.
• Include directions sheet
• Make game prototype including all pieces
• Design and produce packaging
• Marketing campaign

Think of a theme (subject matter) for the game ( medieval, pirates, butterflies, ocean, underground, etc )

Think of images that will support the theme.

Do all necessary research on the topic.

Use worksheet to write down words associated with the theme.

Ex: castle. unicorn, knight, horse, rock bridge, dragons, etc.

Create the rules based on the theme. Consider the following questions:

1. What is the objective of the game? Get somewhere, rescue somebody, escape from somewhere, find something, collect bonus points, be the first one to get to a point, etc

2. Who are the players? How many players can play? Do players follow the same path?

3. What are the start and end points? Where are the players at the beginning of the game and what is their goal and the purpose of the journey?

4. What obstacles are there for the players to set them back, quit, stop, or change the rout?

5. What advantages can the players get to move forward? Are there any shortcuts? Are there any perks or "lucky" steps?

What layout will work better for your game?

What is the shape of the field itself? It does not need to be a rectangle.

Start sketching concept thumbnails.

Mark Start and Finish spots.

How many players can play?

Do players follow the same path?

How many Start and Finish spots do you need?

May be all players come to the same finish spot?

Is the play field going to be a side view or a top view?

What is the general shape of the path?

What is the direction of the move (up, down, return to start, etc.) ?

Are there any hidden paths?

Design the board. Use full size drawing paper.

Start with the background / setting. Include possible "obstacles" and "advantage" spots.

Add start and end spots.

Add obstacles that would slow down the players.

Add advantage spots.

Draw the path that will go through action spots.

Draw step spaces along the path.

Mark return spaces.

Use arrows or signs (ex.: return 3 spaces).

Mark advance spaces with arrows or signs.

Mark other actions (skip turn or skip 2 turns, etc).

Create the board & play pieces

Write down and design the game rules

Design marketing campaign

Design and create packaging / ad

Test the game based on your rules.

Any adjustments needed?

Video Game Design and Development

Encouragement, advice, and support for aspiring game designers.

How to Create a Board Game, The Smart Way

To pass the time, he perused a manual for a role-playing game. He was struck with an idea while reading: not only did the rules seem flimsy to him, but he believed he could improve the game mechanics.

Fast forward to 2012 where Adam started a Kickstarter for his RPG project. On Kickstarter, a person asks for backers to invest in their passion project. Adam initially asked for a $35,000 goal.

To everyone’s surprise, it became the most funded board game in the history of Kickstarter. Thus, it began Kingdom Death, the insanely detailed role-playing board game.

Now, more than ever, developing things like board games has never been easier. Not only that but people who aren’t even familiar with making a board game can easily do it.

Additionally, you could eventually shop your board game around to see if there would be interest in a possible board game. The transition from tabletop games into videogames has been one of the most creative and fun transitions in role-playing history.

Not convinced? Try these 5 easy steps to creating your very own board game!

How to Make a Board Game

Brainstorm & play games.

If you are like Adam Poots, you have an idea stemming from making something better. You could take this route, or just pursue something you are passionate about.

Do you like puzzle games, RPGs, or strategy games? Any of these are viable options, especially in the brainstorming phase.

For added productivity, inviting people to help throw ideas around is a great benefit. Where you could have a solid idea, other people could add new perspectives to the process that perhaps you had not thought of.

Personally, I would love to make something mixed between Risk and a role-playing game. Just starting out with an idea like that puts you on the fast track to creating your game.

It is important to know what style of game you want to create primarily. Is it easy and fast like Exploding Kittens, or more in-depth like the H.P. Lovecraft-inspired Mountains of Madness?

With brainstorming, you have an amazing opportunity to world-build. Like any good fantasy/role-playing title, it usually includes a rich backstory or world that the author has put blood, sweat & tears into.

This is really your chance to let your imagination run wild.

Draw maps, name characters, build a tapestry of awesome bits of lore and story.

Many writers, namely George R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame, emphasize that if you want to be a successful, better writer, the prospective writer must read.

Read all the time. Read more than you write. There is no better way to become better at your trade than to completely immerse yourself in the product.

This applies to game development too. Play a lot of different games to get a good grip on what you want your game to resemble.

Outline Your Ideas

Honestly, some of the best ways to do this are good old-fashioned pen and paper followed by a step-by-step of the theme of the game, rules, and other aspects that will tie it together.

A heads up though: both of these two steps could take a while. It might not happen overnight, but don’t fret! As long as you keep your creative juices flowing, you definitely can’t go wrong.

A simple way to get started is just by sketching out how things will look.

What will the board look like? How about the game pieces? Will they be unique pieces like from Monopoly? What are you trying to accomplish aesthetically?

Aspects of the game could include how long you want a typical game session to last, how many players can play at once, and how easy the rules are to learn.

With Kingdom Death, the average playtime for one complete game with friends is upwards of an unbelievable 60 hours.

That is 2 and a half days of stressful RPG gameplay. Hopefully, your board game won’t initially take a huge chunk out of people’s time and lives!

Building Board Game Pieces & Expansions

Of course, this depends if your game depends on an actual physical board.

For the Mountains of Madness, the game board is drawn out as a large, Arctic mountain, complete with spooky, forlorn visuals. Feel free to design to your heart’s content, but make sure you have the rudimentary aspects of the board drawn out in some way.

In 11th grade woodshop, we were able to etch designs into our wood projects. If you have access to the tools, why not actually make your board in a similar fashion? Tools like this and designing software like Adobe Illustrator allow you to bring your vision to life.

Adam Poots utilized a 3D printer to make his insanely detailed game pieces. Now I know that a high-quality 3D printer isn’t exactly an easily accessible tool, but it is now a proven method for making your game pieces.

In his case, he actually developed the game board and cards based around the miniatures. You are by no means tied to the conventional outline I outlined above, but I believe it is the easiest way.

Also, keep in mind that you can always add new things to your game via expansions released at a later date, so whatever you design and show people could technically be added to forever.

Kingdom Death, as of 2018, has nearly 30 expansion packs that were promoted and created with the help of backers.

Build the Board Game & Selling

By using Game Crafter, you can really begin to let your game take shape. Not only that, but you can sell your finished game through the shop at Game Crafter, it being available for purchase by other users of the site and outside users.

Before the company will skim and review your game for any possible errors, (you got this far, you would hate to have an embarrassing typo lodged in some of your crucial text!), and then they can put it on sale.

The company heavily emphasizes that you don’t need to sell the game through their site and that your project can remain private unless you want it to be sold via their store.

If you decide to sell it through the company, you won’t need to worry about lengthy or complicated transactions, with Game Crafter handing the exchanging of goods, leaving you with the responsibility of collecting a sweet royalty check from your sale.

Test Your Board Game

Playtesting allows you to see how the game works, and most importantly, flows.

Think of it as real-life beta testing. You need to work out any potential kinks that may arise from unforeseen complications. Maybe an aspect you thought clicked really well during development falls flat on its face when actually utilized during gameplay.

First, you can go through the game by yourself as a little dry run. Then, you can expand to a few friends, keeping the game hush-hush, and using your friends as an unofficial focus group for your project.

Board Game Popularity & Adaptations

Not only can you find immense success with your board game, as Kickstart has shown with examples like Exploding Kittens and Rising Sun, there could also be an interest in turning the board game into a video game.

Some famous examples of board games to video game transitions are classics like Carcassonne, Civilization, Ticket to Ride, Catan, and Axis & Allies.

A common thread I find throughout all of these titles and more are great game mechanics. They are all relatively easy to pick up, have addictive features, and are able to be played over and over.

An advantage for the video game versions is that they can usually harness artificial intelligence for those who want to keep gaming even when there aren’t friends around to wipe the floor with.

Civilization, based on the widely popular PC series made by Sid Meier, was released as a board game. It included many of the same addictive features that kept players up late at night clicking the ‘next turn’ button.

If you think that the popularity of board games is soft, think again. Again, Adam Poots and Kingdom Death require a staggering $400, (not including expansions), for the board game.

And people are willing to fork over the cash. Like with many mediums, people can be extremely passionate, and if you tap into their interests, or make the game addictive, you, like Adam Poots, could be working on your extremely popular game well into the future.

Since 2015, Kingdom Death’s creator has been making miniatures, expansions, and shipping the extremely detailed final product that throws the players into a grim and dark fantasy setting.

Will You Create the Next Amazing Board Game?

If you follow these steps, you will be well on your way to creating the board game of your dreams. If you are successful enough, perhaps you could partner up with video game companies and translate your game into a great gaming title.

With a great foundation for a game formed from creativity and proper outlining, you can easily move on to the next steps to actually making a tangible product.

It may prove to be a long road, but with playtesting and honing of your material, you could have the next Kingdom Death on your hands. Most importantly, you need to have fun with the process.

If you don’t have fun with your project, what is it all for?

Go out there and create the next big thing!

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End of Year Project: Create-Your-Own Review Game (with FREE Workbook)

As part of your end-of-the year traditions and projects, consider this Create-Your-Own Review Game project! (We’ve also included a project workbook with FREE RUBRIC + game templates)

I don’t know if you could tell, but over here at Fun in 5th Grade, we love games. We love competition games and collaboration games.

We love games that teach and games that review, and we even like games that are just fun for the sake of being fun!

So, if there is one way that we suggest finishing off the school year in your upper elementary classroom this year, it is with a Create-Your-Own Review Game project!

Yep, we aren’t giving you a game this time, instead, we are encouraging you and your students to make your own games covering skills, topics, and standards that align with your class goals.

Clear and Easy Steps

Now, we want to make this as easy as possible, so we are going to lay out clear steps for setting up this Create-Your-Own Review Game activity with students, AND we are giving you a project workbook to help you and your students get started. This project workbook includes teacher info, game ideas, workbook pages for students, a rubric, and several templates students can use as they create their games!

Are you excited? We definitely are, and we can’t wait to see what your students come up with.

Step #1: Picking Topics, Skills, or Standards

Begin by brainstorming a list of topics, skills, or standards you want to cover at the end of the year. 

At this point in the school year, we aren’t introducing any new information, and we want students to have enough background and knowledge in the topic, skill, or standard to be able to create a game based that can act as a review of that standard or topic.

If you really want to get students involved, do this brainstorming as a class, and let students vote or pick which topics, skills, or standards they are most interested in creating games for.

Step #2: Assign the Topics, Skills, or Standards

Once the topics, skills, or standards are chosen, assign them to students. You can decide if you want several students working on the same topics or if you want to try to have a game created for every idea on the list. This can be an individual project, or students can work in groups or pairs.

When assigning topics, you may consider using one of these methods…

• A random draw
• Assigning based on student strengths or areas students need improvement
• A lottery-style drawing
• Make ‘em play for it. Use some of the task cards from your many decks of task cards and play a game to determine who gets to pick their topic first.

Step #3: Creating Questions

As students begin to create their games, they will start by creating a list of questions that could be used within their game.

As your students brainstorm, consider giving them this list of types of questions for inspiration.

• Fact-based 
• Definitions
• Theme-based 
• Short Questions
• Long Questions
• Nonexamples

Step #4: Planning the Game

Once students have brainstormed questions, they will start developing a game. The game can be a completely new invention, or they can model it off of something they already know. Don’t forget that the project workbook comes with templates students can use to create things such as cards, gameboards, spinners, etc.

Special Note: Now that many students are more familiar with digital products allow students to create digital games if they want, or they can create good ol’ paper, pencil, and poster games.

Step #5: Creating the Game and Instructions

Spend a couple of days creating the games in class. As part of the game, students will need game pieces, questions or cards, a board or way to play, and (most importantly) instructions!

Reminder: In addition to creating questions, students also need to be sure to include answer keys!

Step #6: Testing Games and Providing Feedback

One step students frequently forget when creating a game is creating good instructions. For this reason, taking the time to test games before students are done creating is important. Have one day dedicated to exchanging games with other groups, playing each other’s games, and providing feedback.

Make sure to find some time for students to implement the feedback before playing the games during the last few weeks of school.

Step #7: Playing the Games

Once the games are completed, spend the last few weeks playing the games created by students. You don’t have to play every day but set aside a few days for students to rotate through and try out the games created by their classmates.

Remember, within the project workbook, we have included a FREE RUBRIC for you to use with this Create-Your-Own Review Game project!

Bonuses and Benefits

This activity serves a number of purposes and positives. 

• Students review information they learned throughout the year.
• Students are engaged in the last few weeks of the school year ( even though the weather is nice and the excitement of summer break is looming )
• Students are creating!
• Students are demonstrating knowledge.
• Students are helping others learn and review.
• Students are collaborating.

Bonus Benefit: If any of the games are particularly good, ask students if you can use them in class the following year s, or if their idea or examples are good, but their gameboard is just so-so, ask if you can use their ideas to create additional classroom resources in the future.

Students are awesome creators, and when given the chance, they can really surprise us with their creativity and innovative tendencies. This Create-Your-Own Game Activity is perfect because it graduates students from being consumers and players of games to being creators of games.

Want to add even more options for your students? You could try some of my editable templates for Game Show game s and U-Know games . You could have students making you games that you could use for years to come!

We would love to hear about your students’ games, so if you have any pictures of students’ games you want to share or any really cool ideas from students, please send them our way or post them in the comments below. Find out more about using games in the classroom in this post .

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The 15 best ways to organize board games without cramping your style or space

From rolling carts to unboxing your favorite games, there's a solution for every household

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1. Rolling games cart

2. designate a shelf, cabinet or closet, 3. utilize vertical space, 4. label, categorize and organize, 5. stackable storage bins, 6. unbox games, 7. repurpose furniture, 8. custom built-ins, 9. game-specific storage solutions, 10. stylish baskets, 11. in kids rooms, 12. themed games nook, 13. over door storage, 14. attic, shed, garage or basement, 15. under beds and couches.

If you don't know where and how to store your board games, this is the perfect time to delve into some smart ideas.

With cooler weather coming and a season of indoor hosting upon us, those board games are going to get more use than any other time of year. We spoke to experts including interior designers and professional organizers to learn the best ways to organize and store your board games around the house, with rolling games carts and games nooks among their smart suggestions.

Good storage ideas for your collection of games will retain their integrity and pieces without compromising your decor, or taking up more room than you're willing to give them.

Organizing your board games

Joseph Passalcqua, CEO of cleaning company Maid Sailors, says, 'Before investing in bins, labels, and other organizing essentials, be clear on your immediate purpose. Are you storing board games to avoid clutter now, but want to access them easily on weekends and regular game nights or do you want to preserve it for special occasions?'

Knowing this will help you make a good decision on the storage solution that's best for you, whether it's living room storage , bedroom , or elsewhere. There's no point picking an air tight container in the attic if you have games nights every weekend.

Interior designer Nina Lichtenstein adds, 'Organizing your board games doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s an opportunity to enhance your home’s functionality and style. By incorporating some of these storage solutions, you can keep your games accessible, well-organized, and perfectly in sync with your home’s aesthetic. Whether you’re a casual player or a serious collector, there’s a storage solution that will work for you, ensuring that game night is always just a grab away.'

You can pick a beautiful cart to complement your beautiful decor, as pictured here

Nina says, 'A rolling library cart can be a fun and functional way to store your games, especially if you like to move them from room to room. Organize the games on the cart and roll it out when it's game time. This method is particularly useful for small spaces, where versatility is key.'

She recommends the Vasagle Rolling Cart from Amazon , which is a slimline bar cart idea and handles for easy rolling. It comes in two widths and colors.

If you have too many games to store all of them in a cart, storage solution expert and CEO of Juujbox , Ali Mirdamadi suggests creating a rotating game library. 'Select a few games at a time and keeping them on display in a designated area.'

This could be a rolling car, or if that isn;t quite your style, a storage cute. Ali recommends the stackable Closetmaid from Amazon , which comes in nine colors and eight configurations.

He adds, 'You can rotate the games every few weeks or months to keep things interesting and prevent clutter from building up. This also allows for easier decision-making when it comes to choosing a game for family game night.

Daniel Brown, cleaning expert and CEO of handycleaners.com recommends making the most of your rolling cart by adding snacks and drinks, bringing the fun to whichever room you and your friends, family or loved ones are. Daniel recommends the Honey Can Do Rolling Utility Cart in chrome from Amazon for added mobility and ease.

My games cabinet at home, showing my family's most used games

Nina Lichtenstein, says, 'As an interior designer, I believe board game storage should be as stylish as it is practical, seamlessly blending into your home's aesthetic while keeping your collection accessible. You can do it by designating a shelf, cabinet or closet to keep your board games organized and easily accessible.'

She recommends choosing a piece that complements your home’s decor. 'Open shelving units, like the IKEA KALLAX , allow you to display games while keeping them within reach. For a more concealed look, opt for a closed cabinet with doors, such as the Sauder HomePlus Storage Cabinet available on Amazon.'

If you have a spare closet, you can turn it into a board game haven. Nina adds, 'Install adjustable shelving to accommodate different box sizes, and use the closet door for additional storage by hanging over-the-door organizers for smaller games and accessories. This approach keeps your collection neatly out of sight but easy to access.'

Nina likes the SimpleHouseware Over Door Organizer from Amazon which has handy clear windows to let you glimpse contents without having to remove anything.

I have used a sideboard in our living room for our most used games so our daughter, who is eight, can access and tidy them away easily, pictured above. It was a good decluttering exercise to, and I used my favorite ' didn't know' decluttering trick to quickly make space for these games.

Whichever space you allocate for your board games, Ashley Hines professional organizer and founder of Thee Tailored Life says, 'If you are keeping the games in their original boxes, determine a system, be it color-coordinated, size, or type of game (family, adult, cards, for example). If you keep them in open shelving, I recommend putting them in a large open-top bin for easy access..'

Ashley also notes filing the games makes them more accessible and easier to maintain than stacking them.

A beautiful vertical storage display with matches woven boxes to hide contents and avoid visual clutter

Jim Christy, managing director of Midwest Cards , a sports trading card retailer says, 'In our home, we’re big on family game nights, so keeping board games organized is important. One effective way to manage board games is by storing them vertically in clear, labeled bins. This not only saves space but also makes it easy to see and access the games without creating a mess.'

Jim and his family also use a dedicated shelf in their living room as a display area for the games they play most often. he adds, 'For smaller pieces like dice or cards, consider using small plastic containers within the game box to keep everything together.

Going for vertical storage is a great space saving hack, but also a fabulous fix if you are short on space in the room or area you wish to store your games.

Designer Nina explains, 'Wall-mounted shelves or floating shelves such as the SONGMICS Floating Wall Shelves on Amazon can be a great way to store board games without taking up valuable floor space. Arrange games by size or theme to make the display both functional and visually appealing. This method also turns your game collection into a form of art, adding personality to your walls.

The product above which Nina recommends comes in three widths and colors, and has a small front lip to stop items falling off.

Wherever you decide to store your games, having an organized approach to your collection will be helpful. Nina recommends categorizing by type, such as family games, strategy games, or party games. 'Label the shelves or storage boxes accordingly,' Nina says. 'This method not only makes it easier to find a game but also helps maintain order after a game night.

Nina likes the Mantah Chalkboard Labels from Amazon which are reusable, and waterproof.

Amanada Schmitt, owner of Life As Mama , says, 'When working with clients, I often suggest using cabinets with dividers to keep each game separate. For example, in a pantry or linen closet, install shallow cabinets and use drawer dividers to create sections for each game. This keeps all of the pieces together in one spot. Be sure to label each section clearly. Using photos of the game boxes can also help in places where a label may not stick well.'

These clear acrylic shelf dividers are perfect for the job. Use them to keep categories of board games separated. You can label the edge of the shelf itself to help your household understand and keep to your filing system.

Nina says, 'Stackable bins or baskets are perfect for smaller games, or those that come in non-standard boxes. These bins can be tucked away in closets, under beds, or even on bookshelves. Choose bins with lids to keep dust out and consider clear options so you can easily see what’s inside, such as the IRIS 19 Qt Stacklable Storage Bins With Lids from Amazon .

Stackable storage doesn't have to be plain either. This aesthetically pleasing set of four stackable, folding boxes from Wayfair with fluted cabinet style doors from Wayfair fit together with wheels on the bottom.

Ashley Hines, professional organizer, recommends unboxing games to save on the amount of storage space you will need. She says, 'We often feel guilty about removing items from their original packaging, but remember that the boxes are designed to transport the items to you. You don't need to keep things in their original packaging if it makes them harder to access or less efficient to store.'

Ashley likes using zipper mesh bags when organizing games in her clients homes. She says, 'These EOOUT Mesh Zipper bags from Amazon come in various sizes and colors, with labels and without. Once unboxed, store the bags.'

If the instructions or rules to the game are printed on the box, simply cut it out along with any warnings, age ratings or guidance information you'd like to keep and store that flattened piece of card inside the zipper bag.

Ottomans are a great way to expand storage in stylish spaces without being intrusive to design

Nina is a big fan of re-purposing furniture you already have to create a space to store your board games. She says, 'If space is tight, look for multi-functional furniture that can double as storage. For example, a storage ottoman can house your board games while also serving as extra seating or a coffee table. Similarly, a bench with storage underneath is perfect for keeping games hidden but accessible. I like the Simpli Home Avalon Storage Ottoman available on Amazon .'

Nina's pick comes in 17 different colors and three sizing and feature configurations.

Ali Mirdamadi, CEO of Juujbox adds, 'Look for cabinets with adjustable shelves so you can customize the storage to fit different-sized boxes. I helped a client convert a vintage armoire into a board game cabinet. We added custom shelving to fit their game collection perfectly, transforming a piece of furniture into a functional and stylish storage solution. You can also use labeled storage bins or baskets inside the cabinet to keep smaller pieces organized.

A beautiful built-in media wall with storage beneath

Nina says custom built ins, whilst pricey, are a great investment. She explains, 'For those who are serious about their board game collection, custom built-ins can be the ultimate solution. Design built-in shelving around your game collection, integrating it into your living space in a way that feels intentional and cohesive. This option is particularly useful for large collections or for homes with a dedicated game room.'

I had custom-built floor to ceiling closets built in our primary bedroom and the price wasn't all too different from freestanding furniture and it helped us immensely in making the most of our vertical space, and using up every inch of the chosen wall we could. We configured each of the single closets to have shelves, drawers, or hanging space to suit each purpose and now we have space we can dedicate to household items like games if we wish.

You can also use very game specific organizers available via specialist sites. Nina recommend The Broken Token .

She says, 'Certain games come with many pieces, making it difficult to keep everything in one place. Invest in game-specific storage solutions, like custom inserts or containers that hold all the components neatly. This is especially helpful for games with lots of small parts, like Catan or Risk.'

You can also get your own by measuring up the space you need and ordering a set of matching storage boxes with windows for quick view or labeling.

This six pack fits boards and components at a maximum 8.5" X 11" dimension, and can also be taken with you on vacation. The listing has seven different size and number configurations making this a uniform, customizable option.

Beautiful baskets won't interrupt your decor

Incorporate stylish baskets for a more casual approach, Nina recommends. she says, ' Use decorative baskets to store games. These can be placed on the floor next to a bookshelf, under a console table, or even as part of a room's decor. Wicker baskets or fabric storage bins add a cozy, homey feel while keeping your games contained.'

This is interior designer Nina Lichtenstein's pick for good-looking baskets to use for board game organization. The handles make for easy use and this product is Amazon's Choice, meaning lots of shoppers buy it, rarely return it, and it's usually available and highly-rated.

A cozy play area with hidden storage

Amanada Schmitt, mom of two young children and owner of Life As Mama has a lot of experience organizing board games. She says, 'For my own home, I store our board games on a bookshelf in our playroom so the kids can easily grab them. I separate the games by age appropriateness to make it easy for the kids to choose.'

She advises regularly going through your game collection to slim it down. Amanada explains, 'Purge any missing, damaged or unused games. Donating old games is a great way to make space for new favorites. Keeping your collection pared down will make organizing what’s left so much easier.

A cute nook can transform how you use the space

Nathan Thorne, interior designer, professional organizer and CEO of Handy Flowers says, 'A nook for gaming will make a difference in the experience. In one such case, an unused closet was used to create a retro-themed nook for our client who loves to play older generation games. Built-in shelving and mood lighting were used, adding not only organization for neat storage of games but also a special corner in the home that was truly devoted to fun and relaxation.'

Daniel Brown, of Handy Cleaners prefers a game library with glass doors. He says, 'Turn your bookshelf into a game library with glass doors. This was the elegant solution I used with clients who have an extensive game collection. The glass doors can keep dust from the games, yet still show them off as if in some curated fashion. I would highly recommend the Sauder Barrister Lane Bookcase for both its style and functionality.

Display your board games in a glass cabinet for a fun feature. This one comes in two color and three shelves.

A smart storage space but especially for board game lovers who might access their collection daily, weekly or regularly enough to have them on hand in this way. Over the door storage options are plentiful, ranging from metal, wood to mesh and even fabric. Pick one that suits your aesthetic but make sure the dimensions work for your purposes.

I have over the door organizers in my bathrooms and inside closet doors and the only downside to them is the top of your door frame can become scratched over time. It will depend on the guage (thickness) of the handles, but it's good to keep in mind.

• Walmart over door organizers
• Target over door organizers
• Wayfair over door organizers
• Amazon over door organizers

These areas are usually perfect for storing away board games not constantly in use so make use of the space to free the rest of your home from common clutter you don't need many months of the year.

Whilst some basements have climate control like the rest of the house, many basements, attics, sheds and garages do not, so make sure to adequately store your board games in air tight containers.

Failing to do so may end up with pest problems, damp, mold or other environmental damage.

These stackable clear storage boxes come with latching tight lids which are sure to keep out pests, humidity, and moisture until you are ready to use your board games again.

If your bed has space underneath, make use of it

Mom blogger Amanda says, 'Many of my readers struggle with finding space for board games in small homes. For them, I recommend using under-bed storage boxes that slide right under the bed. You can label each box by game type such as kid games, family games or party games . This keeps them out of the way but easily accessible when you want to play.'

You can also make use of dead space under couches and benches, too. We have wide, shallow, storage with lids from Amazon under each of our velvet sofas in the living room packed with items we've stored away but might readily access weekly including puzzles, board games, crafts, magazines, books and Lego.

Once your board games are neatly filed away, consider how to store all those blankets and throws around your home, or what to do with toys cluttering up your space .

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Punteha was editor of Real Homes before joining Homes and Gardens as Head of Solved. Previously, she wrote and edited lifestyle and consumer pieces for the national UK press for the last 16 years, working across print and digital newspapers and magazines. She’s a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter and founding editor of independent magazine, lacunavoices.com. Punteha loves keeping home home clean, and trying her hand at DIY, spending weekends personalizing her newly-built home and tackling everything from plumbing to tiling.

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