I haven’t had much success getting my kids interested in board games, but that didn’t stop them from making board games of their own. For Emma’s game, you move your age, plus or minus a couple squares.
The squares are decorated with stars, snowmen, and hearts. If you land on the heart, you give Daddy a hug. If you land on the star you sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. If you land on the snowman you sing “Once There Was a Snowman”. Emma and Lily are singing the snowman song in this picture, complete with actions.
Johnny also made a board game, but none of us know how to play it – including him, I think. Mostly he moves his guy around the squares, most of which say his name (or something approximating his name). Johnny knows how to spell his name out loud to an adult, but getting the letters in the right order when he writes it is hit or miss! I think he would get along well with the child version of me – my dad and at least one sibling tried to teach me chess, but all I wanted was for the pieces to meet up for diplomatic tea parties.
I’m linking this post to Kids Get Crafty at Red Ted Art and The Play Academy at NurturStore
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Lily always looks so happy to be playing with her siblings. Your kids are so creative, just like you!
Funny about Johnny’s game and no one knowing how to play it :-).
Look what I found! Make your own lego board game. It is fun to make the lego boardgame and to play.
Here are the examples: http://buildingexamples.com/special-projects/conquer-the-oceans
All you need is a cardboard and some dices. A lot of fun for almost no cost.
Oh I love this Maryanne. I love how the rules of Johhny’s game are a mystery! And my 4 year old sounds a bit like you – whatever she’s playing with (pieces of a game, pencils, fridge magnets) always gets transformed into a family characters.
Cute! I just love how excited Lily is to be playing along with big sis!
I think I love Johnnys game best!! And the littlest the cutest?!?! Love the idea though making a game with your kids and getting them to come up with the rules!
Thank you for sharing this on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Great idea. My son always wants to play boardgames but not follow any of the rules. Maybe if he got to make up his own game it would be easier!
How creative! Maybe Emma will be a game designer one day. Anna loves the games papa has made for her, but she never had an idea to make her own game.
I won’t be surprised if Emma grows up to design something. She has lots of ideas and opinions =)
These sound fun! I want to play!
What great creativity! Making the board and coming up with the game is just fantastic!
That’s so cute! When I was little a friend of mine had a board game that her grandma made. It was our favorite game to play.
They sounds like great board games… Johnny and Wee Man would have a great time playing since he also made a game like his. hehee He would explain to us how to play and half way through forget and change the rules..
My kids are similar when it comes to moving pieces on a board. They’ve gotten better, but still…..
Isn’t it fun to see children use their creativity and imagination?
Too cute!
I love it when they land on the heart square!