How to Make a Reading Board Game

Page through old magazines and cut out smaller pictures of different objects that your child will recognize. If he's at the point where he can safely use scissors, let him help choose.

Write down the names of the objects in marker. With an older kid who can write letters, you can also have her help with this. Let her choose the color and help her spell out the name. Cut the names out with enough room on top to be able to fold the piece of paper in half to cover up the word.

Rip apart the side of a cardboard box. It doesn't matter if it's square or rectangle, as long as it's large enough to accommodate your magazine clippings.

Tape the magazine pictures onto the cardboard and the names underneath the clippings. Fold the paper down to cover the spelling up, so it makes a tab that can be opened.

Start playing! Lay the game on the table and roll the dice. If you are using little men (or other small toys) as playing pieces, move them accordingly. At first, after learning how to make a reading board game, try different ways of playing it. Depending on the time that you have, you can play until someone reaches the last picture or until every slip of paper has been opened and read. Make up whatever rules suit your family. Have the child spell the word and then lift the tab to see if he's right or have him simply lift it and "read" the word and tell you the letters that make it. Tailor it to your kid's ability and skill level.

Play again! For a more lengthy reading board game, next time choose pictures that tell a story and tell it to your child. Have her tell it back to you while pointing to the correct sequence of events. It will not only help with learning to read, but also teaches "before and after" and "cause and effect." Tailor it to what your child needs to work on.