How to Make Board Games for 7-12 Graders

Invent a theme for the game that is age appropriate. Children at this age are socially aware and able to grasp complex ideas, so a great idea is a game that simulates some aspect of life or requires research and learning. No idea is too far out; this is a chance for children to explore and express their creativity. Perhaps the board game involves time-traveling to the age of the dinosaurs as a theme, or building an interplanetary trading empire. It could just as easily focus on getting a date or paying household bills on time.

Create mechanics for the game. Older children will be able to appreciate slightly more advanced systems than younger ones. Will the game be based on chance or skill? Do the kids prefer chess, or maybe Chutes and Ladders as a model? Perhaps the game will combine chance and skill such as a strategy game that uses dice to introduce a random element. An easy game to make would involve a game track along which the players must race to the end. Each space on the track can have keyed text that introduces thematic bonuses or setbacks for landing on it. You might also want to add another dimension to the game with a deck of cards.

Design and create the board. This can be done by hand on bristol board. It is recommended that you create a rough draft on paper first. It is also possible to lay out designs on the computer and then print them on card stock.

Add the playing pieces. Tokens can be borrowed from other games, designed by hand, or can even be hand-sculpted if you feel ambitious. You can also use coins, buttons, or just about anything. If you want to create your own cards, software such as "Magic Set Editor" is available online (for free) that will allow you to easily lay out nice looking designs. Cards designed in this way can be printed on card stock, and then slipped into plastic sleeves (available at most hobby shops). A paper cutter is a safe and useful way to cut up the cards and trim them to size.

Test the game! There may be problems with the rules that you hadn't anticipated. Get a feel for the design, and try to make sure that the game is balanced so that everyone has a chance of winning if they play earnestly. If the game feels flat or boring, think about what design features would add a bit more spice or excitement.