And... a Classic Old Game Just Got a lot Smarter

Hello Everyone!

Today I've got a fun Do-It-Yourself project! This little gem comes from one of the crafty contributors over at "Classroom DIY" (another great blog where many more creative ideas can be found). This particular one is an engaging word & memory game that kids could perhaps play for a reading center in class or at home with their families. (Perhaps instead of spending another hour in front of the TV?) :) Best of all, it 'ups the ante' on the teetering challenges of the classic game, Jenga, by using words players have to match. I'm excited already!

According to the author, Jessica of the blog "Dandelions and Dragonflies," this game (made with Jenga blocks, scrapbooking paper, and sticker letters or a Sharpie) can be played in a variety of ways and for a wide array of purposes. You can create matching pairs of synonyms and antonyms, addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division equations and answers, scientific terms and their definitions, historical events and the dates they took place,... as Jessica says herself, "the possibilities are endless!"

Parents, this would be a great game to make and play with your kids. Use words from their weekly vocabulary lists and let them create most of the blocks. For the most part, just be there to guide them to ensure that each word has a partner and is spelled correctly. Not only will making this project encourage them to practice the meanings beforehand, they will take great pride in making such a fun game the whole family can play.

Then, once they're done creating the blocks, help your kids come up with the rules for the game. Do all the blocks have to be stacked face-down from the table so no one can know which words are which? Should players try to put words back if they don't match the first ones they pull? Maybe two players could trade if they need each other's words... As time goes on, and as your kids get better, consider adding more rules to make the game more of a challenge! For example, in order to keep the blocks they pull, perhaps players also have to correctly use each word in a sentence! :)

To read the full tutorial, just visit the link below, and Best of Luck! 

"Memory-Jenga" is bound to be tricky! :)

Link to this great tutorial: Classroom DIY: DIY Upcycled Jenga Memory Game