Pocket Puzzlers: DIY Mini Board Games

Hey there, game lovers and creators! Ever wanted to shrink your favorite board games into pocket-sized challenges? In this guide, we're diving into the world of mini board games crafted with 3D printing magic.

From the classic strategy of Tic Tac Toe to navigating through maze puzzles and solving brain-teasing slides and jumps, these mini games pack big fun into a small package.

Join me as we explore how to design, print, and assemble these pint-sized wonders. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just starting out, let's roll up our sleeves and bring these games to life!

Ready to print, assemble, and play? Let's get started on our mini board game adventure!

Before go into crafting mini-board games, gather these essential supplies:

1. 3D Printer: A reliable 3D printer capable of printing with precision. (E.g., Creality CR-10 SE)
2. CAD Software: Autodesk Fusion 360 for designing game boards and pieces.
3. Slicing Software: Software like Cura or PrusaSlicer to prepare STL files for printing.
4. Optional: Sandpaper for smoothing rough edges, super glue for assembly, and a ruler for measuring dimensions.
5. Metal Marble: 34* 4.5 mm Metal Marbles 33* for Brainvita and 1* for Marble Maze Game.
6. Filament: Black for base and colours like (Red, Blue, White, Orange) for pieces.

Tic Tac Toe is a simple and popular two-player game that is played on a 3x3 grid. The game is also known as Noughts and Crosses or Xs and Os. Here are the basic rules:

1. Players: There are two players. One player uses the symbol 'X', and the other uses the symbol 'O'.
2. Objective: The objective of the game is to be the first player to get three of their symbols in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
3. Gameplay:

• Players take turns placing their symbol on an empty square in the 3x3 grid.
• The game continues until one player achieves three in a row or all squares are filled without either player achieving three in a row, resulting in a draw (also called a tie).

a. Base Dimensions: I started by designing a sturdy base in Fusion 360 by creating a rectangle that measures 70mm x 70mm and then extrude it 2.5 mm high. This size provides a balanced platform for the game, offering enough space for the grid and game pieces while remaining compact.

b. Creating the Grid: On the top of base, I designed a grid structure with clear 20mm x 20mm cells. Each cell is separated by 2.5mm high walls to prevent game pieces from overlapping and ensure a neat layout.

c. Wall Design: The walls are integrated seamlessly into the base design, ensuring they are robust enough to withstand repeated use. I aimed for a uniform height of 2.5mm throughout to maintain consistency across the grid.

Here are the STL file of base, You can directly download them and print them with your 3D printer:

a. X Design: For the X's, I crafted them using two intersecting rectangles, each measuring 18mm x 18mm. This design ensures the rectangles intersect cleanly at the center to form the classic X shape, X is round from each corner, which is both visually distinct and functional for gameplay.

b. O Design: The O's are designed with two concentric circles with a diameter of 18mm. This design ensures that the O's fit snugly within the 20mm x 20mm cells of the grid without overlapping the walls.

c. Extrude: Exttrude Both X and O, 4 mm so that it looks 3D and becomes functional for gameplay.

Here are the STL file of both X and O, You can directly download them and print them with your 3D printer:

a. Slicing Settings: I used slicing software such as Cura or PrusaSlicer to prepare the files for printing. I set the following parameters for optimal results:

• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 100%
• Printing Temperature: 230°C (adjusted based on my filament's specifications).
• Print Speed: 50mm/s

b. 3D printing: With my creality printer, I first print one base and five X and four O.

c. Color Selection: I opted for contrasting colors to distinguish between the board, X's, and O's effectively. For example, black PLA for the board base, red for X's, and blue for O's enhanced visibility and added to the game's aesthetic appeal.

A Marble Maze, also known as a labyrinth or marble run, is a game or puzzle in which players navigate a marble through a maze or track by tilting the board or using other mechanisms. The objective is to guide the marble from the starting point to the end point, often avoiding obstacles and dead ends along the way.

Components:

• Board: The base of the maze, which can be flat or 3D, with pathways, obstacles, and holes.
• Marble: A small ball, typically made of glass or metal, that the player must guide through the maze.

Objective:

• The primary goal is to navigate the marble from the start point to the end point, often marked by a specific location on the maze.
• In more complex mazes, there may be additional objectives such as collecting items, avoiding traps, or reaching multiple checkpoints.

Gameplay:

1. Starting Position: Place the marble at the designated start point.
2. Navigation: Tilt the board or use the provided controls to move the marble through the maze.
3. Avoid Obstacles: Guide the marble around obstacles and avoid holes or traps that may reset the marble to the starting point.
4. Reach the Goal: Successfully navigate the marble to the end point to complete the maze.

a. Base Dimensions: Start by designing a base in Fusion 360, By creating a square that measures 70mm x 70mm and extrude them 2 mm high. This site provides a stable foundation for the maze and ensures easy maneuverability of the marble.

b. Creating the Maze Walls: On the top of the base, I design walls with twist and turn by the rectangles and then Excrude them 4 mm high so that marble can't jump any wall. I ensure each wall is designed with a 5mm gap between them to allow the marble (4.5mm metal marble) to pass through smoothly. This design consideration is crucial for ensuring the maze is playable and enjoyable for users of all skill levels, including children

c. Here are the STL file , You can directly download them and print them with your 3D printer:

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a. STL Files Preparation: Prepare the STL files for printing, ensuring the base and maze walls are correctly oriented and scaled for your 3D printer.

b. Printing Settings: Use black PLA filament to print the base and maze walls. Set the following slicing parameters for optimal results:

• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 100%
• Printing Temperature: 230°C (adjusted based on my filament's specifications).
• Print Speed: 50mm/s

c. 3D printing: For this, you only need to print a maze, I use black colour for the maze which works best but you can use it according to and if you want to make a dual colour make the base and maze separately with two different colours and paste them.

d. Inserting the Marble: Place the 4.5mm metal marble at the starting point of the maze. The design should allow the marble to navigate through the maze's pathways smoothly, challenging players to find the exit.

e. Paste Acrylic Sheet (Opitional): Additionally you can paste an acrylic sheet on the top of the maze, is enhance the looks of your maze.

Brainvita, also known as Peg Solitaire, is a single-player board game that involves jumping pegs over each other to remove them from the board, with the goal of ending with only one peg remaining. The game typically consists of a board with holes arranged in a cross pattern and pegs that fill all the holes except for one at the center.

Components:

• Board: A cross-shaped board with 33 holes (7x7 grid with the corners removed) or a similar layout.
• Pegs: 32 pegs placed in the holes, leaving one hole empty.

Objective:

• The objective of Brainvita is to remove all pegs except one by jumping one peg over another into an empty hole, removing the jumped peg in the process.

Gameplay:

1. Setup: Start with 32 pegs on the board, leaving the center hole empty.
2. Moves: A peg can jump over an adjacent peg into an empty hole, either horizontally or vertically, but not diagonally. The jumped peg is then removed from the board.
3. Continue: Continue making moves by jumping pegs and removing them until no more moves are possible.

a. Board Dimensions: Begin by designing a square in Fusion 360 which is 70mm by 70mm in size and by extrude it 2.5 mm high. Although circular is an iconic shape for Brainvita I make it in square so that it looks different and unique.

b. Hole Layout: On a different sketch, I created a plus-shape layout with 33 holes arranged in same plus-shape manner . For a better view you can see the images on top These holes will house the marbles during gameplay, with one central hole left empty for movement.

c. Board Thickness: Ensure the board has a suitable thickness to accommodate the depth of the holes and support the weight of the marbles.

Here are the STL files of base, You can directly download them and print them with your 3D printer:

a. STL Files Preparation: Prepare the STL files for printing, ensuring both the game board and marbles are correctly oriented and scaled for your 3D printer.

b. Printing Settings: Use black PLA filament for printing the game board and marbles. Set the following slicing parameters for optimal results:

• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 100%
• Printing Temperature: 230°C (adjusted based on my filament's specifications).
• Print Speed: 50mm/s

c. 3D printing: For this game you need to make 1 base and 1 Plus-shape base. you can use any colour combination like i use black and white.

The Sliding Puzzle 1-8, also known as the 8-puzzle, is a classic puzzle game consisting of a 3x3 grid with 8 numbered tiles and one empty space. The objective is to rearrange the tiles to achieve a specific goal, usually by sliding the tiles one at a time into the empty space. Here are the key points about the Sliding Puzzle 1-8:

Structure:

• Grid: A 3x3 grid.
• Tiles: 8 numbered tiles (1 to 8) and one empty space.

Objective:

• The goal is to arrange the tiles in numerical order, typically from 1 to 8, with the empty space in the bottom-right corner.

Gameplay:

1. Starting Position: The tiles are shuffled randomly at the start of the game.
2. Moves: You can slide a tile adjacent to the empty space into the empty space. Only horizontal and vertical moves are allowed.
3. Winning Condition: The puzzle is solved when the tiles are arranged in the correct numerical order.

a. Puzzle Board Dimensions: I started by designing a sturdy base in Fusion 360 by creating a rectangle that measures 70mm x 70mm and then extrude it 2.5 mm high. This size provides enough space to arrange the 1-8 tiles comfortably while ensuring the puzzle remains compact and portable.

b. Making Walls: By making the 65 mm square inside the big one and excrude ist outer boundary 2.5mm, and this will work as walls.

c. Board Thickness: Ensure the puzzle board has a suitable thickness to support the sliding mechanism and withstand repeated use without warping.

Here are the STL files of base, You can directly download them and print them with your 3D printer:

a. Tile Dimensions: Design eight puzzle tiles, each measuring approximately 20mm x 20mm. These tiles should fit snugly within the grid sections on the puzzle board and have smooth edges for effortless sliding.

b. Numbering: Number each tile clearly from 1 to 8 using a font size and style that is easy to read and complements the overall design of the puzzle.

Here are the STL files of all tiles, You can directly download them and print them with your 3D printer:

a. STL Files Preparation: Prepare the STL files for printing, ensuring both the puzzle board and individual tiles are correctly oriented and scaled for your 3D printer's build volume.

b. Printing Settings: Use PLA filament for printing the puzzle board and tiles. Set the following slicing parameters to achieve optimal results:

• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 100%
• Printing Temperature: 230°C (adjusted based on my filament's specifications).
• Print Speed: 50mm/s

c. 3D Printing; For this make 1 main base and 8 tiles. and also same here you can use any colour combination like this time i use black and orange.

d. Arranging the Puzzle: Place the puzzle board on a flat surface and arrange the numbered tiles in numerical order (1-8) within the grid sections. Ensure each tile fits snugly and slides smoothly within its designated space.

e. Solving the Puzzle: Challenge yourself and others to solve the puzzle by rearranging the tiles into sequential order through sliding movements. The compact size and clear numbering make it both a mental challenge and a satisfying tactile experience.

Congratulations on creating your own collection of mini board games! Each game—Tic Tac Toe, Maze, Sliding Puzzle 1-8, and Brainvita—has been meticulously designed and crafted using 3D printing technology and thoughtful game design principles.

Throughout this Instructable, you've learned how to:

• Design and Conceptualize: From designing the game boards and pieces in CAD software to conceptualizing gameplay mechanics that are both challenging and engaging.
• 3D Printing Mastery: You've honed your 3D printing skills, mastering the intricacies of slicing settings, filament selection, and post-processing techniques to achieve high-quality results.
• Assembly and Play: Assembling each game board, placing pieces, and preparing them for gameplay, ensuring they are not only functional but also visually appealing.

Whether you're challenging yourself to solve the Sliding Puzzle 1-8 or strategizing in Brainvita, these mini board games offer endless entertainment for all ages. They are perfect for personal enjoyment, gifting, or even educational purposes, showcasing the versatility of 3D printing in creating interactive experiences.

Remember, the journey of crafting these games is just as rewarding as playing them. Embrace creativity, experiment with designs, and continue exploring the possibilities of combining technology with traditional board game fun.

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. Now, it's your turn to print, assemble, and enjoy these mini board games with friends and family!

I hope this conclusion ties together your Instructable nicely, celebrating your craftsmanship and inviting others to enjoy these unique creations.