Homemade Travel Games
These instructions are for a 3 x 5 inch travel game you can fold up and take with you.
Gather Supplies
- colored felt (pick colors so you can have light on dark or dark on light to be able to see the pieces better)
- Glue
- Cardstock (alternatively you can use 3x5 index cards, but they will be less like a book and be more susceptible to damage from wear)
- A cutting tool, straightedge and cutting board for cutting the paper and cardstock (I used a pocketknife for the cardstock and the instructions. You can use other cutting tools as available.)
- Scissors (to cut the felt)
- Wide colored tape (I have blue duct tape)
- Instructions for the game you want to include (optional)
- Glue
- Cardstock (alternatively you can use 3x5 index cards, but they will be less like a book and be more susceptible to damage from wear)
- A cutting tool, straightedge and cutting board for cutting the paper and cardstock (I used a pocketknife for the cardstock and the instructions. You can use other cutting tools as available.)
- Scissors (to cut the felt)
- Wide colored tape (I have blue duct tape)
- Instructions for the game you want to include (optional)
Optional - Preparing the Instructions
- I created the instructions to be a tri-fold page that is cut to be about 4" x 2" so that it will fit nicely inside the book when folded.
- When I printed the page, I put a border line at the top and the bottom of the instructions to ensure I'd end up with a page that cut properly. You can see this in the instructions displayed in the image of the materials.
- I used the straightedge and pocketknife to cut the page
- I then folded the page leaving one section to be glued to the book.
- When I printed the page, I put a border line at the top and the bottom of the instructions to ensure I'd end up with a page that cut properly. You can see this in the instructions displayed in the image of the materials.
- I used the straightedge and pocketknife to cut the page
- I then folded the page leaving one section to be glued to the book.
Creating the Book Cover
- I cut the cardstock into 3" x 5" pieces
- Then, I took the duct tape and taped both sides, leaving about a ½" gap between the covers of the book to give it more of a 'book' appearance and to allow it to be folded easier..
- A couple of hints.
o The cardstock had a back side that ended up being the inside of the book.
o Also, since I didn't want the duct tape seam to show, the seam is on the inside of the book.
- Then, I took the duct tape and taped both sides, leaving about a ½" gap between the covers of the book to give it more of a 'book' appearance and to allow it to be folded easier..
- A couple of hints.
o The cardstock had a back side that ended up being the inside of the book.
o Also, since I didn't want the duct tape seam to show, the seam is on the inside of the book.
Optional - Inserting the Instructions
- I then glued the instructions. Note that there is enough of a gap (about ¼"Â) to allow the instructions to be folded in over the felt that will be added in the next step.
Add the Felt
- add glue to the inside of the book
- lay the book down on top of the felt
- cut excess felt away
- Helpful tips:
o Get glue around the edges as well as various spots in the middle to ensure the felt stays in place.
o Don't use too much as it will soak through and make hard spots on the felt
o Use a dark background and a lighter felt if possible so the tape used won't show. Note that I made a game that required a board be drawn on the felt and the lighter background was needed.
o I cut the edges with the pocketknife, but scissors would work better.
o I laid the side of the book with the instructions on an edge of the felt to make trimming the felt easier.
- lay the book down on top of the felt
- cut excess felt away
- Helpful tips:
o Get glue around the edges as well as various spots in the middle to ensure the felt stays in place.
o Don't use too much as it will soak through and make hard spots on the felt
o Use a dark background and a lighter felt if possible so the tape used won't show. Note that I made a game that required a board be drawn on the felt and the lighter background was needed.
o I cut the edges with the pocketknife, but scissors would work better.
o I laid the side of the book with the instructions on an edge of the felt to make trimming the felt easier.
Finishing Touches
- Cut out any pieces needed for the game
- Fold over the instructions
- Decorate the outside of the book
- Fold over the instructions
- Decorate the outside of the book
Sample Instructions
I didn't make these instructions completely by my memory and I don't properly identify the sources for my instructions as they were intended for gifts. However, it's a good idea to recognize where your source material(s) come from.