DIY Board Game for Father's Day (Defend the Castle)

My boys were so excited about Father's Day this year. They have been making cards, planning breakfast in bed, and working on a play to perform. Somehow...they made all that happen this morning! It was priceless. I also helped them make a Castle board game with knights and princesses to play with their dad. They named the game Defend the Castle. I thought I would include our easy tutorial on how to make your own board game. Remember you can use any theme you want!

 

 

Supplies:

 

Old board game

Printed pictures

Modge Podge

Dice

 

Directions:

 

I think the easiest way to build a new board game is from an old board game. We had a cheap one from Dollar General we didn't play anymore. You could easily pick up one at a garage sale for $1-$2.

My boys decided on a castle theme. I googled castle images and they had the best time picking out their own castle for the board. (I had no idea how much FUN they would have making this!) 

 

 

We cut our images to fit the four corners of our game. Then I modge podged them on to the existing game. Remember, you can cover the entire game board or just replace parts of it.

 

Here is my son planning out his castle. (Such a serious look)

 

We used the little stands from the existing game and then selected knights and princesses to use as our board game pieces. If you don't have stands, I saw this cute idea below to personalize pieces.

 

Unfortunately, the link I found does not give credit to the true genius behind this idea. Sorry!

 

We happened to have some mini weapons lying around, so we used them as part of our game. As the characters move around the game, they can land at a castle. Then the owner of the castle must defend their castle by rolling a regular dice. The one who rolls the highest number wins the battle and the weapon.

 

Here are some examples of the cards we made. We placed some stickers on our board of shields. If a player landed on a shield they got to draw a card and follow the instructions.

 

Some examples:

 

The handle of your sword breaks. Move back 1 space.

 

The King and Queen requested your presence. Move ahead 2 spaces.

 

Fight like a knight and move ahead one space.

 

The dragon blew his fiery breath at you. Move back 2 spaces.

 

Show how you would defend yourself in battle. Move ahead 2 spaces.

 

 

The kids had fun coming up with fun things to do on the cards. Their favorite cards to draw were the ones that allowed them to be interactive. What little boy does not like to pretend sword fight?!

 

I think I am going to end up laminating the pieces if they keep playing it so much so they will keep their integrity. I have a feeling we will be creating more board games for some summer fun. This project cost us little more then paper and ink and it was fun to make together.

 

Hope you all have a Great Father's Day!!!

 

 

Summer Two of the Traveling Book Boxes

When last summer was just around the corner, I began thinking about the long 3 months ahead of us, and the Texas heat. My son's can get a little bored without the constant stimulation of school, and it is hard to go outside in the peak heat of the day. I figured my friends might need some boredom busters too, so I dreamed up the summer of the traveling book boxes. It reminds me of the concept of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Have you read the story or seen the movie? It is precious.

My plan was to create multiple themed book boxes with books, games, activities, crafts, and entertainment ideas. We would trade out every 2-3 weeks and get a new box for our kiddos. I tried to make them light at first, so I could ship them back and forth. Then I realized everyone was truly close enough, that we could just drop them off.
 

I sent out an email to see who might be interested in my crazy plan. I received four positive replies back and I began creating my book boxes. This being the second summer, it appears that everyone is in on the idea again. This year I am going to solicit some help from some of the other moms to hopefully make a book box each.

 

The first one I created this summer is themed Frogs!

 

I sent a printed sheet with this picture and a listing of the contents and activities.

 

Frog Book Box Contents

 

·         Frog Incentive Chart with star stickers. Place a sticker on the chart as you read each frog book. When all ten books have been read, reward your child with one of the Frog blowouts.

·         Frog stuffed animal. Please pick a frog to keep. Let your child name their frog and bring them along on their frog reading adventures.

·         Too Many Frogs by Sandy Asher

·         The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog (please take one of these books and keep it for your child’s collection.)

·         Froggy Loves Books (please take one of these books and keep it for your child’s collection)

·         The Teeny Weeny Tadpole by Sheridan Cain

·         National Geographic Kids Frogs!

·         The Day the Frogs Came to Lunch by Suzanne Weyn

·         Let’s Go Froggy! by Jonathan London

·         Froggy Goes to Camp by Jonathon London

·         From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer

·         Frog in the Kitchen Sink

·         Game: Frog Leap Pad Launcher. Remove the small plastic frogs from the bag. Place one in the large bottle cap top on the launcher. Set out the plates as lily pads. Now launch away and try to get your frog back to its lily pad.

 

(Launcher made from a piece of 2x4, clothespin glued on top, tongue depressor glued on the clothespin, and a bottle cap on the end of the tongue depressor. Launch away!)

Game: Frog Jump and Measure. Make a starting line with chalk on the sidewalk. Jump like a frog and measure with a tape measure how far you made it. Leave your little frog stuffed animal as a marker. Keep trying and see if you can out jump the other "frogs" in your family.

·         Craft: Frog Foam Activity Kit

·         Have fun! Make sure everything on this list is returned to the book box for the next child.

·         Let me know when you have worn out your book box and we will trade. I am hoping to trade about every 3 weeks and just meet up with you. Thanks! Michelle

 

 

In case you missed the box boxes last year...here they are...

 

 

Bug book box click here

 

 

Monkey Book box click here

 

 

Dog Book Box click here

 

 

Cupcakes, Ice Cream, and Flip Flops Book Box click here

 

 

Pirate Book Box click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Secret Agent Spy Kit Game

Oh did I have fun making this present! We had a birthday party for my son's cousins, and I couldn't seem to find a present I thought he would really enjoy. I searched the internet for a DIY spy kit to no success. I really wanted to make a spy kit that functioned more like a mystery game or a solve the crime kit. Of course, I came up with the idea a day before the party, so I really had to get to work fast on this birthday present!

 

I took a box and modge podged some spy symbols such as fingerprints, a spy, and some words like Top Secret.

 

I picked up some essential items for my spy kit at the store: spy disguise, handcuffs, gun, agent badge, and some rope.

 

Here is the full spy kit list.

CSI Field Kit

1.      Spy notebook for recording clues

2.      Ink pad for taking fingerprints for evidence

3.      Fingerprint file cards for keeping track of suspects

4.      Spy disguise

5.      Secret message maker wheel

6.      Fingerprint lifting tape (scotch tape)

7.      Fingerprint dusting powder

8.      Flashlight

9.      Specimen swabs (Q tips)

10.  Evidence bags (ziploc bags)

11.  Evidence: Plastic gun, knife, money

12.  Suspect cards

13.  Magnifying Glass

14.  Specimen Containers (old spice containers)

15.  Disappearing Ink

16.  Fingerprint glass (picture frame or glass) and brush

 

Several of my spy kit items were on sale at Michael's craft store. I completely lucked out.

 

 

I made some Solve the Case cards and had them laminated. The object of the game is to determine the criminal, weapon, location, and crime.

 

By laminating the cards, the players can use a dry erase marker to write on them. The cards can be easily erased with a cloth or paper towel.

 

I wanted this spy kit to be personalized for the birthday boy, so I made the suspects family members and good friends.

 

Thank goodness for facebook so I could capture images of all the suspects I needed. I googled some funny names such as Robin Banks (bank robber), Sam Dayoulpay, Sue Case, Nadia Seymour, and more.

 

I wrote funny things about each family member because I hoped the birthday boy would get a kick out of reading each suspect's profile.

 

 

Secret Spy Guidelines

1. All spy gadgets need to be in working order.
2. A good spy always keeps his or her wits about them.
3. A good spy has only one fear and that is other spies.
4. Keep your face neutral, you do not want to express your emotion.
5. Make sure you don't get yourself into any trouble!
6. Don't spy on people you don't know. Stay safe!

7. Be careful! Always keep your name a secret. Don't trust suspicious members of your team, for they could be double agents.
8. Never wander away from your team and don't trust strangers.
9. Find a secret meeting place.
10. Don't make too much noise! You don't want to get caught.
11. Bring a spy bag with you, to keep all your gadgets in. Maybe even some snacks in case you get hungry.

 

How to Play Secret Agent

 

Setup: Fingerprint each player on the Fingerprint File Cards.

 

1.      Select one or two detectives for each game. The detectives should leave the room.

The rest of the players will be in charge of creating the crime scene.

2.      Crime scene team should decide which suspect is the actual criminal. If present, they can place the criminal’s fingerprints on the fingerprint glass.

3.      Select crime scene location and label it with caution tape or clues.

4.      Select a weapon of choice between the rope, plastic gun, plastic knife, and fake money and leave it at the crime scene.

5.      Leave some evidence for the evidence bags and specimen containers. Example, if the criminal loves ketchup leave some out at the crime scene to be swabbed.

 

 

6. Choose 3-4 suspect cards to leave out for the detectives to help narrow down their search.

7. Once your crime scene is set up, allow the detectives to enter the room and investigate the clues with their secret agent supplies. They may even decide to question any witnesses and record their findings in their spy notebook.

8. The detectives may dust for fingerprints, collect specimens, collect items in the evidence bags and possibly wear their disguises while on the case.

9. Once the detectives have assessed the evidence, they will complete a Solve the Case card with a dry erase marker to see if they are correct.

10. Good luck Secret Agent!!

Now my oldest son is insisting he needs his own spy kit too!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Games

Are you looking for some fun games to keep the kids entertained while Thanksgiving is being prepared? Here are two unique games we made last year. I pulled them out with our tub of Thanksgiving books and they have been a huge hit again with my boys.

 

 

Click here to see how to make The Crazy Turkey Game.

 

Game Directions:

 

Each player gets a turkey head and six clothespins of different colors. The first player roles the dice. The player gets to put on the feather color (clothespin) they roll on the dice. Take turns trying to collect all of your different colored turkey feathers. If you roll a color you already have, the turn goes to the next player. The first person to have all six different feathers (clothespins) shouts Gobble, Gobble, Gobble and wins the game!

Or...you can just buy one...

 

 

 

Click here for instructions on how to make the Acorn Game.

 

How to Play the Game:

Start your squirrel at the bottom. The first player rolls the dice and moves the number of spaces on the dice. If you land on the leaves, do nothing. If you land on acorns, collect the number of acorns on the square from the acorn pile. If you land on the turkey, you lose one acorn back to the pile. Take turns rolling the dice. Once a player rolls enough to land on the acorn tree, or past, collect an acorn for making it home. Go back to start on your next turn, and try to collect more acorns and race home. Once all of the piles of acorns have been collected, the squirrel (player) with the most wins!

 

Do you have any fun games you make for the Thanksgiving Holiday???

Dog Book Box..Summer of the Traveling Books

Presenting box number four. This week my boys opened the dog book box in our continued adventure of the traveling book boxes. Summer is almost over, so we are winding down on our book box adventures. However, I really did enjoy keeping them engaged this summer with books and activities. They were excited each time I told them a new book box had "arrived." As always, the Clifford box had books, activities, games, crafts, and a snack surprise.

·         Clifford Book on stakes. Surprise your little one with a “storywalk.”  The stakes are numbered. Push them in the ground and let your little one walk to read the story. Leave plenty of distance between each page of the book. See example here:

·         Additional Clifford books to read

·         The Puppy who Went to School by Gail Herman

·         Spike by Paulette Bogan

·         Little red dog reading buddy

·         Clifford Suckers-Attach two felt red ears and some googly eyes to make a Clifford sucker snack for a treat at the end of your storywalk or treasure hunt (these were not quite as cute as I hoped, and hopefully they won’t scare your child. Lol!)

·         Treasure Hunt-Set up a dog bone search. Clues are numbered with recommended hiding places.  (This would be fun for a Clifford birthday party too. Let me know if you need the template)

·         Dog Bowls and placemats-Be a little silly. Serve your child breakfast or lunch in a dog bowl...or even popcorn.Guaranteed to make them giggle. Our cocker Mia looks on very jealous. Ha! It is not even her bowl. I bought it at the $1 store.

·         Clifford Maze-Let your child use the paw print stamp in each square to help Clifford find the way to his doghouse. (Red ink pad included)

 ·         Dog Bone Counting Game-Numbers are magnetic. Change out the numbers on the dog bowls and let your little one put the correct number of dog bones in the bowl. Dog bones have been glazed, so please don’t let your child or dog eat any!

 

My son really enjoyed this game. The bowls are just flat pieces of paper but they almost appear to be three dimensional in the picture above.

·         Have fun! Make sure everything on this list is returned to the book box for the next child.

Let me know when you have worn out your book box and we will trade. I am hoping to trade about every 3 weeks and just meet up with you. Thanks! Michelle

Lego Party with New Read and Build Legos

For those of you that have been around for a while, I have mentioned before that I belong to a site called houseparty.com. I have the ability to apply for different parties, and when I am lucky, I get selected. Membership is 100% free. I was especially excited last month, when I was picked to host a Lego Read and Build Party.

The best part...House Party sends me supplies to have a party (poster, plates, napkins). They also sent me four BRAND NEW LEGO READ AND BUILD FARM SETS.

These new sets were designed to encourage the elements of reading and playing at the same time.

Just for the record, they did not ask me to write this post. I was just very impressed with Lego's new Read and Build sets. They are so fun! But...I will get to that later. Of course, I like any excuse to have a party so I went all out. My oldest son and I made games, snacks, and a Lego pinata.

This game is a variation on hot potato. We called it "Hot Duplo Lego" We turned the music on and tossed the "hot Lego" around. Our kids were little, so we did not have them get out of the circle when they ended up with the Lego (when the music turned off). We just said..."Oh you had it! Let's start the music again." This helped prevent any hurt feelings in this group of 2-6 year olds.

We just covered a check box with contact paper for our Lego for "Hot Duplo Lego."

I ended up reading one of the books to all the kids at the same time, and they each picked different pieces of the legos out of the kit to build the different farm animals. It was neat to read the book and build the animal to match the story. I thought of this initially as an individual activity, but the kids enjoyed doing it as a group. One of the parents even mentioned she could imagine her older son, reading to her younger child, for the little girl to build along.

For our next game, I wrapped "lego" boxes starting at small, and graduating to large. See the red one first. Then it was wrapped into a green lego and so on so forth. In each box I also put a little candy treat.

How to play the lego box game:

The kids sat in a circle and the first player rolled a color dice. If they roll the color of the box, they get to put on the special "lego gloves" (any gloves you have) and start trying to unwrap the package. The dice continues to be passed around. When a child rolls the color of the package that is being unwrapped, they get to steal the package, put on the "special lego gloves" and continue to unwrap the boxes. The last box can always have an extra special lego suprise in it. I didn't want to upset any of the little kids, so they just won a box of nerds candy at each level. At the end of the game, all the kids that didn't already get a package of nerds were handed one.

I covered boxes of Nerds in paper and then used a pencil eraser to stamp the circles on top.

After a few organized games and activities it was time for some free play. I had Legos everywhere. It was like a mini version of Lego land. The kids built all kinds of creative buildings, cars, and more.

This was our Lego Bean Bag Toss. My son and I took shoe box lids and filled them with colored paper and circles to make them appear like Lego's. (It is kind of hard to see the circles in the pictures, but they truly looked like Lego's)

The best part about the Lego bean bag toss was it took less then ten minutes to assemble the whole thing! My kind of game!

We could not have a party without some drinks and snacks. I know you have all seen cute Lego drink boxes before, but we had to make some. We just covered some mini boxes in colored paper and used colored stickers on top.

The kids all got a kick out of our Lego man fruit kabobs. I printed some Lego heads on card stock and taped them on top of some skewers.

And then for the cupcake stand....a few boxes wrapped in colored paper.

Our Lego cupcakes were topped with skittles. Yum!

Our next creation was our Lego pinata. The Lego Pinata cost us $2 to make!! I love a bargain.

Supplies: A box, 1 1/2 rolls streamers, glue, curly ribbon and four matching jar lids.

We covered a box in red streamers and cut each streamer to fray it. We cut a little trap door in the bottom to stuff our candy and prizes in.

My son loved filling up the treats before the kids arrived.

We elected for the pull string version of a pinata. It was my first try making one of these and it was a breeze. I taped the string to open the lid with some heavy duty packing tape. The rest of the strands were attached with scotch tape so they would pull off the bottom of the box easily.

The kids began pulling the strings. (The string to open the hatch, was shorter then the rest, so it was less likely to be pulled)

They kept pulling strings...no luck yet.

Open the hatch...

We had a fabulous party and the boys are still talking about it this afternoon!! I felt like it was a birthday party...without all the gifts.

P.S. You can check out over 200 fun pins I selected when I was working on my inspiration for this party. They are tons of wonderful lego party ideas there.

http://pinterest.com/mnicowill/lego-duplo-pin-win-house-party-contest/