Games To Make

About the projects

Game, set, match! Some of the games we play today come from games played around the world and long ago. Make a fun board, card, or outdoor game to play with your friends and family, while learning about each game’s history, rules, and culture. Check this page often, as Aunt Annie will continue to add games!

The projects range in difficulty from VERY EASY to AVERAGE.

This page provides descriptions and illustrations of each game project. Browse through, then select a project and get crafty!

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  Memory Game Friday Fun - Make a set of cards for the game of memory. This is a fun and very easy project that young kids really love doing! It is great for families or groups, and with a little preparation by the adult or teen leaders, this project is fast and fun.

  VERY EASY

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  Racetrack Board Game - It's fun to play games and fun to make games, but it is even more fun to create your own game! In this craft project you will make a racetrack game board with space stickers that you can arrange to make your version of the Race Game.

  EASY

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  Alquerque Game Board - In this project make an Alquerque game board  designed for use with marbles as playing pieces. Alquerque is a classic war or battle game with equal sides and complex strategy. Included in the project are rules for playing Alquerque and some history about the game.

  EASY

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  Fishing Game - Teach a child to fish, and they’ll be hooked for hours! Kids of all ages love this fishing game, featuring colorful 3D paper fish and a wooden fishing rod. Make the game easier or harder to suit different skill levels, and give a second set as a gift.

  EASY

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  The Game of Mancala - You don’t need a plane ticket to visit Africa! In this project, learn to play two versions of the African game of mancala. Create your own mancala game board from homemade dough clay, and try out ba-awa and kiuthi right where you are.

  AVERAGE

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  Tic-Tac-Toe Travel Game Friday Fun - Tic-tac-toe is a classic, whether played with pen, lipstick, or this handy reusable game board! Take it on car trips, picnics, or to the beach. Wherever you go, X (or O) marks the spot!

  VERY EASY

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  Fox and Geese Game Board - What do you have in common with ancient Vikings? The game of Fox and Geese, of course! Vikings called it Hala-tafl, meaning “the Fox Game”—you’ll just call it fun. Roll up the paper-and-felt board and store game pieces in its pocket when you go on Viking adventures! .

  EASY

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  Turkey Trot - Why did the turkey cross the road? You’ll find out with this fun race game for the whole family. It’s easy to make the Turkey Trot board—just print, cut, and glue. Challenge your family to a game of Turkey Trot after Thanksgiving dinner, or whenever you want to fowl around!

  EASY

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  The Game of Achi - Take a little day trip to the West African country of Ghana with Achi, one of an ancient group of games of alignment. In the United States, one of the most popular games of alignment is tic-tac-toe—try Achi, and see how it is both different and similar! You can make this board game with either felt or paper.

  EASY

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  Ring Toss Game Friday Fun - Find out how far and how accurately you can throw a set of rope rings with the classic game of ring toss. Play it inside at a party, or outdoors at a picnic or cookout! Aunt Annie includes a set of rules so everyone knows how to play.  Various forms of ring toss are played around the world and most likely developed from the British game of quoits.

  EASY

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  Match Cards - Was that a puppy or a mouse? Match cards take memory to another level. Aunt Annie’s card designs feature a cute Scottie, a rabbit, colorful balloons, and more—or, come up with your own special deck by drawing on card blanks. Learn about how playing cards used to be made, and play two different games with your match cards!

  EASY

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  English Board Solitaire - Sometimes it’s fun to play games by yourself! English or French board solitaire, also known as peg solitaire, is an easy little game that has been played for centuries. You can make this board by just printing, cutting, and playing! Or, make a special keepsake board with more durable materials.

  VERY EASY

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  Mix-and-Match Cards Friday Fun - You already know how to make faces. In this project, make a lot more! Mix-and-match cards are a simple project that combines drawing with imagination. What kind of funny faces can you mix up?

  VERY EASY

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  Tangram Puzzles - These shape puzzles were invented in China over 200 years ago, but they reinvent themselves every time you make a new tangram! This game includes tangram patterns and printable puzzle sheets . How many different tangrams can you think of?

  VERY EASY

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  Picture Puzzles Friday Fun - Great for group crafting and gifts! Kids love transforming their favorite pictures into reusable picture puzzles—from aarvarks and airplanes to zebras and zinnias, putting together the pieces has never been more fun.

  VERY EASY