Learning Through Educational Board Games

Learning does not need to be cumbersome. It only takes innovation and clever thinking to discover other ways to imbue knowledge on children and even on adults. To do this, one has to simply add two variables: fun plus learning. The result? Well, educational board games for one.

Board games entice people to join in. In more ways than one they have to utilize their minds to memorize facts or solve problems to win. This way, they are more likely to engage on learning as much as they engage on gaming. Learning and gaming go hand in hand in this case, which makes information stick longer and faster in their heads compared to traditional teaching methods.

Educational board games are also great as an after school activity for children. Learning doesn’t have to start and stop at school. Continuing their schooling in a subtler and fun manner-i.e. educational board games-can help them out. Games like these help them enhance the way they think things through, quicken how they process information, and liven them up and motivate them to learn more.

Of course, they simply think that they are having fun and playing games, which is the important factor with educational board games. Making them feel that what they are doing is learning will encumber them. On the other hand, making them feel that what they are doing is fun makes them doubly enthusiastic, and at the back of their heads they are already storing knowledge. Moreover, if children are home schooled, educational board games are a great way to teach them.

But not all board games are applicable for everyone. Each game will have to depend on age.

Ages Three and Up

Looking back, most baby toys are made especially to enhance the mental capabilities of the baby. Games like these, are Cariboo. This game enhances the child’s recognition of colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Being able to discern these very simple things is extremely important in a child’s development.

Ages Six to Nine

At this stage, children need more slightly complex games. In fact, they can even start playing educational board games many adults still find enjoyable. This means that board games for this age bracket has to have more complex rules, and they have to strategize, or reason out, and as well as discern spatial and color perception. Games that can fall under this category can be Dominoes, Checkers or Chinese checkers, Uno, and even Monopoly.

Ages Nine to Twelve

For this crucial stage, physical and mental changes are happening in a young person. The games integrated in here have more complex rules. They have to utilize their thinking more. This keeps them on track and their brain on alert. They also need to learn about teamwork at this stage. Board games for this age bracket help youngsters interact with others and develop the need to win in games. Monopoly is still applicable at this stage, but games like Clue (a detective game), the Game of Life, and even chess can now be incorporated.

Thirteen and Beyond

By the time they are thirteen, they can begin enjoying most board games adults play. They need to utilize math skills, logic, and more complex strategizing for games at this level. Card games are great as well, though teaching them gambling isn’t a good thing to integrate to their education. Scrabble is a better way to incorporate vocabulary and math skills for this age. Chess, too, is even more applicable for them. Basically, any adult educational board games can apply.

However, people still need to remember that at this stage, children are still easily influenced. Bad education is even worse than ignorance, so be careful what trait is being imbued on a young, susceptible person’s mind.

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Make Your Own Board Games – How To Make Your Own Board Game

Making your own board games does not only help you save up, it also develops your resourcefulness and creativity. Making homemade board games is twice as exciting as playing the game itself. It is also very economical. So why buy them when you can create your own? You can even get a lot of benefits from making your board games yourself. Now, how do you start making them?

First of all, you have to gather your materials. It is important to take durability into consideration when selecting your raw materials. The more long-lasting the material is the more games you’ll be able to play with it.

Chess, Checkers or Go

If you are making your own chess game board, you must decide what to replace your chess pieces. Stones and beads are the popular choices for board game pieces. In chess, since the king is the biggest piece, reserve the biggest stone for that. Stones, in fact, were first used as pieces in games like Go. For chess, if you are using beads, choose the largest one for the king or use a distinct color for each piece. And since the Queen symbolizes femininity, reserve the pink bead for her. Almost anything can be used to serve as playing pieces. If you have a figurine collection, you can use them as well.

If you know how to carve, you can use leftover wood to create your board pieces. Then use paint or varnish for a finishing touch. Coins can also be used as markers. The lists of possibilities are endless!

Different board games need different game pieces. Some may require a dice as well as a deck of cards and poker chips. For your convenience, it may be better to purchase these items instead to make sure they’re uniform. While you’re at it, you may need to purchase some permanent markers, scissors and a ruler as well to make your playing board.

Rudiments: Boards

You can make your own game board from different things. You can use an illustration board or spare plywood to draw your playing field. If you want your game board to be portable, you can even use a cloth, which you can easily fold after playing.

Just make sure that the material you use for your game board can easily be laid flat. If not, you’ll be spending most of the time leveling it while playing the board game. If you love the game, it is best to invest your creativity in it, as well as some money, time and effort. A nice board for your playing pleasure will affect your mood while on the game.

Packing It Up

Now you have your board game set. However, you are not done yet. You also have to consider other important things such as the storage of your entire board game set. If the board you made is small and convenient enough to store in a portable box, you can bring it anywhere you fancy. If you made a large one, look for a cool, dry place where you can store and easily retrieve it.

If you store your board in a hot place, the markers may fade right away. If you are using cloth for your board, do not fold it when storing it. Roll it up or keep it flat in an envelope so that no crease will disturb your game pieces once you start the next game.

Making your own playing board and pieces will help you play your favorite game without spending too much. Moreover, your improvised board game set will be uniquely your own.

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