31 Easy DIY Board Games for Kids & Adults in 2025

Get your creativity firing on all cylinders with DIY board games that will kick-start your imagination. It's a pleasant way to pass the afternoon with your kids or buddies and a great way to try out some new gaming skills. Create your own rules and strategy processes with fun games for the family or more raunchy adult-focused board games. There are lots of options for making easy DIY board games out of materials you probably already have at home.

What are some easy DIY board games to make at home? Put together some basic materials to create a game that’s fun and laugh-out-loud for your family and friends. Let’s dive into all the things you need to know about DIY board game ideas and provide some helpful tips so you can start crafting tonight. 

Jump to Section 

• How Can I Make My Own Board Game?
• What is an Easy DIY Board Game to Make?
• DIY Board Games For Kids
• DIY Board Games For Adults

How Can I Make My Own Board Game?

1. Brainstorming Your Board Game Concept

Creating your DIY board games begins with considering the type of game you want to make. Does your family prefer a competitive or cooperative approach? Would you rather focus on a strategic or luck-based concept? How about card-based games like Uno? Think about games you enjoy and what elements you’d like to incorporate into your design and rules. Consider the tools. Do you want a game board, dice, cards or tokens? Once you have a concept, sketch out the basic rules, objective and ideas for how the players win.

2. Gathering Materials and Upcycling Supplies

Upcycling supplies for your game is a great way to keep costs down and create DIY board games that differ from your standard, big-box store-purchased games. You can choose from items that are readily available around your home. Here are a few ideas:

• Old cereal boxes can be cut and folded into cards or game boards.
• Painted bottle caps or buttons make for a fun DIY project to create game tokens. 
• Unused fabric scraps or old gift wrap can be hot-glued onto your board as decorations. 
• Mason jar lids or plastic containers paired with paper arrows serve as spinners or wheels.
• Cardboard from shipping boxes is perfect for a sturdy board.

By choosing upcycled items for your DIY board games, you reduce waste and save money while adding charm and uniqueness to your DIY board game ideas.

3. Designing and Building the Game

After choosing materials, lay out and decorate the board using markers, pens or paint. Just because it's do-it-yourself, doesn't mean you game needs to look scrappy. Use a ruler to keep sections of your DIY board games neat and balanced. Then, write out your rules clearly, either handwritten on a card or typed and printed. For a polished look, glue your design to a sturdier backing or purchase a ready-made blank board game from a site like Amazon. 

You can create dice or spinners using paper templates or repurpose old toys, such as a plastic top or spinner from a different game. Handcrafted cards can be made from cardstock or notecards, or cut from cereal box panels to add unique questions and rules to your DIY board games.

4. Adding the Finishing Touches

It’s finally time to play your DIY board games and test them with friends or family. This testing stage provides you with important feedback, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments to enhance gameplay. You might find that the rules need simplifying or that the board layout could be clearer. Customize your game with themed art, colors or characters. Store everything in a repurposed shoebox or cookie tin to keep the game in great shape for years of playtime and enjoyment. 

What is an Easy DIY Board Game to Make?

If you are searching for easy ideas for DIY board games to create as your first project, try a "Snakes and Ladders" style game. Here’s how:

• Draw a grid of 100 squares on cardboard or poster board.
• Add "ladders" (upward shortcuts) and "slides" (downward penalties) using colored washi tape or markers.
• Number the squares from 1 to 100.
• Use coins or small tokens as players. Then, grab a six-sided dice from another game (or make your own with a template). 
• Customize the theme with a jungle, space or adventure motif using recycled magazine cutouts or colorful scrap paper for decoration.

This DIY board game is easy to construct, has simple-to-learn rules and is a fun game to play with family and friends of all ages. 

DIY Board Games For Kids

1. Race to Rainbow

For this game, draw a colorful rainbow path with six colored sections using paper scraps and markers. It’s one of the DIY board games that can help teach preschoolers color recognition. To play, players draw color cards to move forward. The first to reach the pot of gold wins.

2. Color Matching Race

Color matching race is one of those DIY board games that you can play again and again. To set up this one, build a simple path with colored spots using dot ink or markers. Kids draw color cards, and when the color matches a spot on the board, they move to the next matching space. The first player to reach the end wins. 

3. Shape Adventure Board

Select this as one of the top DIY board games for developing shape recognition skills. To create it, design a path filled with shapes like circles, triangles and squares. Depending on the player's age, you can also use cutouts of objects or animals. Players roll a die and identify the shape, object or animal they land on while trying to name enough items to reach the end of the path. Candy for the winner, of course. This is also a good DIY board game for those learning a new language.

4. DIY Memory Match Board

If you’re searching for DIY board games that don’t involve a board, creating memory cards from cereal boxes for a matching game is the way to go. Draw or glue matching images or numbers on each card, making a pair for each image. Players flip two at a time to find the pairs. They'll need to memorize what they've drawn in order to win. This teaches focus and improves their memory skills. 

5. Treasure Hunt Maze

Design a treasure map or pirate maze with a goal or prize at the end. Include challenges like riddles, scavenger hunt clues or physical actions that players must accomplish to progress across the board and to the end of the map. This game is fun for all ages to play and fantastic for imagination and problem-solving, which Healthline states is part of evolutionary culture and essential for a child’s physical and mental health and future development. 

6. Roll-and-Build Game

Roll the dice to earn parts that you’ll use to build a paper robot or house with pieces of paper and glue sticks. The first player to finish building their creation wins. You can get creative with these DIY board games by using different parts, including bottle caps, popsicle sticks or pieces of wire. This is also a great one to try if you’re looking for cooperative DIY board games that family members can play together. In the team version, simply work together to build the robot instead of competing to win. 

7. Math Challenge Board

Hone your math skills with math challenge DIY board games. To create one, simply use note cards or printed math-task cards to make a path where each space has a math problem. Solve it to move forward to the next square. 

8. Story Path Game

Create a storytelling path with prompt cards that lead players along the way in these cooperative storytelling DIY board games. As players land on a space, they add to a silly or creative group story that everyone works to create together. This is a fun game that sparks laughter and fosters language development and creativity for players of all ages. Remember to write your story down and turn it into a comic book if you'd like to keep the game going. 

9. DIY Bingo Board

Design themed bingo cards such as zoo animals, forest creatures or words that start with different letters. Use small objects like beans as playing tokens, and draw items from a hat to call out the next word that someone needs to match on their bingo card. This is one of the DIY board games that is fantastic for group play and learning vocabulary skills.

10. Weather Wheel Spin Game

Budding meteorologists will love these DIY board games because they focus on the weather. Gather some paper, cut it in a circle and divide it into 8 pieces, like a pizza! Then, draw on different weather types, including sunny, cloudy, rainy or other weather conditions. Place a spinner in the center using a cut-out paper arrow and a brad; remember to tape the bottom of the brad to the board. After this, create a board with matching weather types. Spin the spinner and move your token to matching spaces on the board. Make the game more interactive by adding discussion or roleplay around what to wear or do in each weather type.

11. Animal Tracks Board Game

If your home is filled with animal lovers, DIY board games that embrace this love for all furry, fluffy or scaled creatures will be a hit. All you have to do is create a trail of animal footprints on a board or use large cut-out animal prints across the floor. Kids roll a die and act out or name the animal they step on or land on. Throw in a few dinosaur prints for fun. 

12. DIY Chutes and Balloons

This one is a twist on Chutes and Ladders with balloons to lift you and chutes to slide down. You can add visual flair with cutout paper slides and strings to these DIY board games. This version is fun to play and encourages counting and cause-and-effect understanding.

13. Puzzle Race Game

Create mini puzzles from old pictures for easy DIY board games that everyone can play. As the players move around the board, they collect pieces to complete their puzzle. You’ll watch as each player uses problem-solving skills to determine which pieces they need and how their puzzles fit together. 

14. Nature Scavenger Board

Encourage outdoor discovery with creative nature-themed scavenger hunt DIY board games. To start, draw a board with nature-themed items. Then, ask all of the players to go outside to find the real items and return to check off the matching spaces. The first player to match a certain number of squares wins. This buys parents with a backyard hours, as it keeps the little ones occupied while they search. 

15. Feelings & Faces Game

If you have a child struggling with empathy or who is unsure how to express their emotions, this is one of the DIY board games that can help. Build a game path on a board by drawing different emotional expressions on each square. When a player lands on one, they describe a time they felt that way. You can even make the game a little silly by encouraging players to act out the emotions they land on. 

16. Alphabet Trail

Make fun and interactive DIY board games with A to Z spaces. Kids play the game by naming a word that starts with the corresponding letter on the board as they land on each space. Add on some time by adding a drawing element to the game. This one is great for teaching early literacy skills, and your children will get excited as they learn to recognize more sounds and discover new words. 

DIY Board Games For Adults

17. Sip & Strategize

Enjoy a fun night with drinks and appetizers centered around a wine, spirit or cocktail-themed trivia and strategy game. Create cards with questions around wine or whiskey regions, cocktail trivia, boozey dares or fun spirit tidbits. Then create a generic or themed board with squares. As players land on each spot, they answer the questions or complete mini-challenges to collect items (or more drinks). This is one of the DIY board games that works great as an ice breaker activity or for a social event.

18. DIY Escape Room Board Game

Get your friends together for a cooperative night of fun by creating something a little different than DIY board games. Turn your room or the board room into a beat-the-clock game with clues or zones. Each space includes a puzzle, riddle or cipher explained on an index card or upcycled cut-out portion of a box. You can even build props out of upcycled materials. Players work together or race to escape first. Remember to have a key master on standby so that the players can ask for clues. 

19. Relationship Roulette

Play a lively game of relationship roulette by creating a circular board with categories like "Truth," "Challenge," "Memory" and "Dreams." Roll to land on topics that spark conversation and connection. Each couple works together and competes with the other couples to reach the end, all while enjoying one of the most fun and flirty DIY board games around for double dates.

20. Budget Boss

Every adult could use a little refresher on their budgeting skills, so impart some knowledge while having fun with a finance-themed board game where players manage budgets, pay bills and invest. Players are provided with categories and must come up with an investment scheme to make the opponents invest. Provide scenarios on cards where players must strategize on financial events, real or made up, saying what they would do or do differently. Use play money or repurpose Monopoly cash for a lively night of game play. 

21. Once Upon A Card

This game is all about creativity, collaboration, and teamwork over competition. Players use cards or spaces with prompts to build a shared, improvised story. There's no winning or losing—just seeing where the story goes. The fun comes from surprising twists, funny turns, and everyone's unique contributions. It’s ideal for creative expression, not strategy or scoring.

22. The Great Debate Game

Set up one of the most fun DIY board games where players draw cards with silly, serious or controversial topics. Separated into three teams, two players are selected to provide opposing views on the matter. They don't have to believe in the opinion; they just have to use evidence and political suggestion to win the debate. The third team is the unbiased moderator and decides who argued best. This one is perfect for parties or adult ice-breaking events because it promotes discussion and critical thinking. But, we recommend keeping the more controversial topics between friends.

23. DIY Art Auction

To play this game, players create mini “artworks” on index cards and auction them with in-game money. Add chance cards for events like “Art Scandal!” or “Gallery Opening” to make the game even more competitive and fun with unexpected twists. The game combines creativity, strategy and laughs for a really fun night.

24. Office Politics

This one is a satirical workplace-themed board game made from folders, paperclips and sticky notes to create props. Create a generic or office-themed board and a stack of task and question cards. Climb the corporate ladder by navigating awkward meetings, dodging extra work or sucking up to the boss. The first person to become CEO wins. 

25. Mindfulness Journey

Design one of the most calming DIY board games where each space includes a relaxing prompt or mindfulness activity, like a deep breath, short gratitude reflection or mindfulness challenge. Use natural tones and textures for a Zen aesthetic. Add this game to the beginning of a mindfulness retreat, a more spiritual bachelorette party or a spa day. 

26. Craft or Consequence

Gather all your favorite crafters or wanna-be crafters together for a silly night of fun. Players land on spaces that prompt craft challenges, mini DIYs or silly dares. This game will spark conversation and help everyone to step outside of their comfort zone. 

27. Murder at the Manor

Build a murder mystery DIY board game set in a spooky estate. Players gather clues and solve riddles to figure out who committed the murder. The game is easy to create by using envelopes for secrets, and repurposing old board game pieces or dollhouse furniture for fun visuals and props. Dressing up is a must, so let the players know the theme before they start playing.

28. The Couple’s Compass

A relationship-building board game is excellent for a couple's night out or some time with flirty friends. Create it with questions, future goals and “spin-the-wheel” choices for romantic or practical decisions. Use handmade cards or jars for fate-style twists, and make this a fun truth or dare-style DIY board game that will spark conversation and laughter.

29. Trivia Trek

Design travel-themed trivia DIY board games for people who love to embark on great adventures. In this one, each continent or country has a different category. Players “travel” and collect souvenirs by answering questions correctly. It’s great for geography lovers or anyone who loves a fun getaway. 

30. Dream Job Dash

Create a satirical game where players climb the ladder of wild dream careers like "Chocolate Taster" or "Pet Influencer." Add humorous setbacks like “Wi-Fi outage!” or “Zoom meltdown!” to make the night even more fun. 

31. Minimalist Strategy

Sleek, grid-based DIY board games are a bit outside the box, but it's always a good idea to step outside your comfort zone and try something different for a night. Create this one using basic geometric pieces like square paper, coins, or rectangular wood scraps. Each piece moves differently—some slide, some jump, and others rotate—and players take turns moving their pieces across the grid. The goal is to control zones or “capture” resources placed on the board by strategically positioning your pieces to block opponents and claim territory. This game is ideal for fans of chess-like logic and careful planning.

DIY board games offer an affordable, creative way to bring people together for a night of fun. Using a few recycled materials and some imagination, you can turn everyday items into hours of entertainment. Gather your supplies, pick a game idea and build your own unique game night experience.

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