DIY Family Gifts: Craft a Board Game Together

When it comes to DIY family gifts, nothing beats a present made with love and teamwork. A gift created by the whole family isn’t just an object – it’s a story, a memory, and a bonding experience in itself. In fact, “a meaningful gift serves as the bonding element that connects family members both emotionally and mentally”. Now imagine the magic when your entire family collaborates to make that gift together!

One unique idea is to build a family memory board game from scratch. This isn’t a typical store-bought game – it’s a one-of-a-kind creation filled with your family’s personal memories and inside jokes. Not only will the process bring you closer, but the final game also becomes a “treasured keepsake” the whole family will enjoy creating, gifting, and playing.

Let’s dive into how you can craft this unforgettable DIY gift together. (I’m having fun already and it’s just the intro!)

The Family Memory Board Game – A Gift of Memories

What is a family memory board game? It’s a homemade board game that celebrates your family’s favorite moments. Think of it as part game, part scrapbook. You design a game board (or repurpose an old one) with spaces or cards that prompt players to reminisce and share stories.

Instead of generic trivia or Monopoly properties, your game’s content revolves around your own experiences – e.g. “Tell the story of our beach trip mishap” or “Quiz: What’s Dad’s famous catchphrase?”

This gift is deeply personal and interactive. The recipient (perhaps grandparents, or even your own household) doesn’t just get a handmade item – they get an experience. Each time the game is played, family members of all ages will laugh and bond over the memories. It’s a gift that keeps giving, creating new memories every time you bring it out.

What You’ll Need

Gather some basic supplies – you likely have many at home:

• A board base: Use poster board, cardboard, or an old game board as the foundation.
• Paper or index cards: For creating question cards or memory prompts.
• Markers and art supplies: To write, draw, and decorate the board and cards.
• Game pieces and a die: Pawns from another game, coins, or little toys for player pieces; a standard die for movement (if your game uses one).
• Family photos or stickers (optional): To decorate and add personal touches (photos of family events, etc.).

Step-by-Step: How to Build Your Family Memory Board Game

Follow these steps as a family to craft your memory board game. Remember, there’s no strict formula – feel free to get creative and tailor it to your family.

1. Plan It Together: Gather everyone to brainstorm the game. Decide on the format – a path-style board game or a simple card game? Come up with a fun name (like “Journey Through Our Family Memories”).
2. Collect Favorite Memories: List out memorable family moments, funny stories, and inside jokes to include. Flip through photo albums or phone galleries for inspiration. Make sure each person contributes a few ideas – from silly incidents to proud achievements.
3. Design the Board & Cards: Sketch a rough layout for your board on paper. Create a Start and Finish, and mark special spaces. For example, a ? space might mean the player draws a memory question card. Next, prepare your cards: write prompts or questions that will get someone talking about a memory (e.g. “Describe our silliest holiday tradition” or “What happened on the day you started kindergarten?”). Keep the prompts clear and fun. You can also decorate the board and cards with small photos or doodles related to the memories.
4. Set the Rules: Decide how the game will be played. Will players roll a die to move? Do they need to answer a question to earn a turn? Keep rules simple so everyone from young kids to grandparents can enjoy. Write down the basic rules on a sheet titled “How to Play” – this makes your game feel official!
5. Craft and Assemble: Now bring your game to life. Use markers or paints to finalize the board design. Glue on any printed photos or clip-art images to make it colorful and personal. Finish making your memory cards (cut them neatly, maybe back them on cardstock for sturdiness). Finally, gather everything – the board, cards, player pieces, die, and rule sheet – and place them in a box. You can decorate an old shoebox as your game box, with the game’s title on top.
6. Playtest as a Family: Before gifting the game, do a test run together. This is a fun excuse to start enjoying the gift yourselves! Make sure the game flows well and the prompts are clear. You might even discover new stories or want to add more question cards after a trial game. It’s okay to tweak rules or cards for clarity and fun.
7. Gift and Enjoy: When you’re satisfied, package up the game nicely. Include a personal note explaining that this game was handmade by the family. The true reward will be when you play it with the recipient – imagine everyone gathered around the table, moving pieces and laughing over each memory prompted by the game.

Make It Personal and Special

The beauty of this DIY gift is how customizable it is. A few tips to make your family memory board game extra special:

• Use Family Photos: Incorporate photocopied or printed family photos on the board or cards. For instance, if there’s a card about your beach vacation, decorate it with a tiny photo from that trip. Visuals make the game even more heartfelt and memorable.
• Include Everyone: Ensure the game features memories involving each family member, so everyone’s included. Little kids can contribute too – maybe with drawings that you later glue onto the board (like a crayon drawing of the family pet next to a related memory space).
• Add Inside Jokes: Include a few quirky prompts that reference beloved inside jokes or traditions. If Dad always tells a certain corny joke, include a “Dad’s Joke Time – Everyone groan now!” space. These little personal touches will have everyone nodding and laughing.
• Keep the Tone Positive: Focus on fun and happy memories. The goal is to celebrate what’s special about your family. Even past mishaps can be lighthearted (e.g., “Remember when we burned the cookies and ordered pizza instead?”). Avoid anything that might dredge up hurt feelings – keep it uplifting.
• Decorate the Box: If you have time, decorate the game’s box or packaging. You could collage more photos on it, or have the kids draw a cover image. This turns the whole package into a keepsake.

By tailoring the game content to your family, you ensure that no one else in the world has a game like this. It’s truly homemade from the heart.

Why This DIY Gift Will Be Cherished

A family-made memory board game hits the trifecta of a perfect gift: it’s personal, it’s engaging, and it’s made with love. First, it shows incredible thoughtfulness – you’ve gathered precious memories and turned them into a game. That’s something no store-bought gift can match. The recipient will be touched by the time and creativity invested in it.

Second, it’s an experience as much as a gift. When you give the game, you’re also giving the family an activity to enjoy together. As they play, they’ll swap stories, tease each other gently, and maybe learn new things about one another. In a way, the game creates a special family moment every time it’s played. (In a world full of gadgets, a face-to-face game night is gold!)

Finally, the very process of making the gift is a reward for your family. Crafting a project together requires teamwork and communication. You’ve likely shared a few laughs (and maybe a bit of glue) along the way. Those hours spent creating the game are memories in themselves. Collaborative DIY projects require everyone to pitch in, and the whole creative process can be just as memorable as the final product.

When you present this gift, explain its significance. You might say, “We made this memory game so we can all remember the good times and create new ones together.” It underlines that the greatest gifts are those that bring people closer.

In the end, a DIY family gift like this board game embodies what gift-giving is supposed to be: a gesture of love, creativity, and shared joy. Want to know how to make a birdhouse yourself, check out our article!

Happy crafting, and have fun on your trip down Memory Lane!