Add a twist to your family game night – featuring your family. Let your family make the games you plan on playing. Creativity is the key. Not only will you have fun playing, you’ll have fun creating the games as well.
Steps
1. Change the rules.
Everyone plays each game a little differently. Pull out a game you haven’t played for a while and change the rules. You can use one you’ve played elsewhere or make up your own. This doesn’t have to be a big change. It could be as simple as having trivia teams playing against each other as opposed to individuals.
2. Mash up.
Choose two or more games and combine them. Make sure the parts you combine work together. Test it and make adjustments as necessary.
3. Game box.
Create a game box with cards, dice, poker chips and other game items you have around your house. Create your own game from the materials you place in the box.
4. Game boards.
Find or make blank game boards. You could print on a sheet of paper and laminate it or use fabric paint on a sheet.
See the Enrichment Project badge program “Printables: My Games” for more game supplements.
5. Check the Web.
You can find many printables online for game materials. This includes dice, spinners and counters. You may choose to add other printables that aren’t normally considered “game pieces” such as paper dolls.
6. Game cards.
Create game cards with different game parts, activities, questions or ideas on them. Each time you choose to play a game, each person can choose a card randomly or you can pull out as many as you want.
7. Trading cards.
Take trading cards to a new level by making them and starting your own collectible game. These don’t have to be the entire game. Your trading cards can be personalized with family members, pets, favorite sayings and more.
NOTE: You can use artistic trading cards for templates, designs and ideas.
8. Non-traditional game materials.
Don’t limit yourself to spinners, dice and boards. Look around your home for other items you can incorporate into your game.
9. Super-size it.
Take a traditional game and making it super-sized will make it your own. This might include making a board in your backyard and using people as the playing pieces.
For more ideas, check out the Enrichment Project badge program “Super-Size Games.”
10. Prize included.
Adding prizes to a game may entice your more reluctant players. This doesn’t have to be a physical gift. Being allowed to give a sibling one of your chores or choosing where the family goes out to eat can be a great incentive.
11. Write it down.
When you’ve created a great game, write out the rules so you can play it again. Also include what did (and didn’t) work. If you have additional ideas, note those as well.
12. Share the fun.
Share your game with others. Listen to their experiences and try to incorporate what others do into your own game.
Supplements Available
Sites to Explore
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_game
- voices.yahoo.com/super-size-family-game-night-five-fun-twists-11127580.html
- makeathome.org
- www.the36thavenue.com/2011/07/making-your-deck-a-gameboard.html
- www.activity-mom.com/2011/09/board-game-human-size.html
- www.empowernetwork.com/darty/free-cheap-games-and-activities-to-do-with-your-kids
To download a PDF of this badge program, click here: EP_Family Game HE
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