How to Create a Simple Kindergarten Board Game

Gather Materials

• 1

  Decide on a theme. A simple board game can have any theme that a child wants, or it can also have no theme. Themes can be expressed through drawings on the game board, the tokens used to move around the board, and even on the individual space instructions. HeartoftheMatterOnline.com recommends using academic themes to sneak extra learning into the game-making process (see References).

• 2

  Find or create tokens. Tokens are used to represent the player, and can move around the board. These tokens can be as simple as pennies, or can be more complex like small toys or eraser figures. In some cases you can find tokens that match the theme of the game.

• 3

  Buy dice from a store, or borrow them from other board games. Dice are available at almost any department store, and are the easiest way to move pieces around the board.

Make the Board

• 4

  Draw spaces that allow the player to move from a "Start" to a "Finish." The spaces can move around the edge of the board, similar to a "Monopoly" board, or they can move in any pattern. The simplest games move in one direction, and require the players to reach the finish to win.

• 5

  Write instructions in the spaces. Some or all of the spaces should have instructions that include things like "Lose a Turn," or "Move Ahead 3 Spaces." These instructions can reflect the game's theme. For example, a dinosaur-themed game space may read: "Chased by T-Rex, move back 2 spaces."

• 6

  Decorate the game board. Have young children draw pictures related to the game's theme on the board. If there are spaces that give specific instructions, it can be fun to draw pictures related to the instructions near the space. It can also be fun to outline each space in a different colored marker to help distinguish them.