How to Build Your Own Cardboard Board Game

Learn how to design, build, and play a custom board game using recycled cardboard and basic craft supplies. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Map out your path. Use your ruler and pencil to draw a path on your large cardboard piece. You can make it a winding snake shape, a circle, or even a maze. Draw boxes along the path to serve as your game spaces.
2. Design your challenges. Pick a theme for your game, like space travel or a jungle adventure. Write special instructions in some of the boxes, such as 'Move forward 2 spaces' or 'Go back to start.' Use your markers to add color and drawings to make the board look exciting.
3. Create your game pieces. Cut small shapes out of your leftover cardboard scraps. Draw characters or symbols on them so each player has a unique piece. If you want, you can glue these pieces onto a small bottle cap to help them stand up.
4. Make a spinner. Draw a circle on a piece of cardboard and divide it into sections with numbers. Poke a pencil through the center and place a paperclip on top, or simply flick a coin to see how many spaces you get to move.