(Un)Bored Game - Guidelines for the Activities

The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010

(Un)Bored Game
Guidelines for the Activities

THIS IS THE PERFECT ACTIVITY to pull out of your bag of tricks the next time you hear that inevitable lament, “I’m bored.” Whether or not your kids appreciate the play on words, suggest that a board game may be the solution. But we’re not just talking about any old board game here. We’re talking about an unbearably exciting, one-of-a-kind, custom, homemade, DIY board game. Who couldn’t help but be enthused by that?

Combine one part creativity with one part competition, stir in some strategy and a lot of luck, whip it all together with some writing, and you get a recipe for an entertaining (and decidedly un-boring) activity.

MATERIALS

pizza box or large piece of oak tag

scissors

markers

index cards

small objects or tokens (for game pieces)

HOW-TO MAKE

1. Cut the top off a pizza box, or use a large piece of oak tag to make a game board.

2. Draw a path around the game board with markers. Indicate places to start and finish. Divide the path up into many small individual squares.

3. Place some obstacles and landmarks around the game board, alongside your path.

4. Write directions on index cards, such as “Move forward three spaces,” “Go back five spaces,” “Return to Start,” “Oops. You’re stuck at (name of obstacle),” or “Move ahead to (name of landmark).”

HOW-TO PLAY

1. Stack all the index cards, writing side down, in a tidy pile and place them next to the game board.

2. Players place their game pieces on the starting spot.

3. Players then take turns choosing a card from the top of the pile and following the directions as written.

4. The first player to reach the finish is the winner.

Variations

For Scribblers: Scribblers will need some help making a simple game board, preferably with a straight path. Using bingo markers, show them how to make game cards by either making one dot or two dots on each card to indicate how many spaces a player should move. The making and playing help develop fine-motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Fun!

For Spellers: Spellers can write one word on each game card, and can move their pieces by spelling the word and moving one spot for each letter.

For Storytellers: Creative Storytellers may enjoy choosing a theme for their games—such as pirate adventure, dinosaur land, or enchanted garden—and writing more detailed (and creative) instructions.

For Scholars: Scholars can create game boards with complex paths, smaller spaces, trickier directions, and more challenging obstacles.