3 Reasons You Should Make a Board Game

“Mom!! I’m bored.”

She would come up with one hundred and fifty-seven different activities for me to do, but sometimes none of them would be appealing. As you may know, I have a very creative mind and there seemed to be a never ending challenge of keeping it engaged.

Don’t get me wrong, riding bikes and playing basketball were fun. But I wanted to solve problems. To leave the world in a better place than I found it.

And now I am almost 30 with that same creative mind.

In fact, here is an example of a real life problem I enjoy trying to solve.

How to Spread Peanut Butter

For the last 5 years I have been trying to convince family and friends that they should scoop and spread peanut butter with a spoon. I just want the world to be more efficient.

I mean, I don’t blame them for using a knife. It is what they were taught and it’s what everyone else does. But does that make it right?! No. I used to use a knife too. But then I found out how efficient using a spoon was.

Most people that try it tell me “Well it doesn’t work as well for ME”. Then I realize that they are scooping the peanut butter with the FRONT of the spoon. No, no. You have to use the BACK of the spoon or else “It gets caught in the crevice” we say at the same time. At least I now know I need to explain that minor (yet important) detail.

But who knows, I could very well be wrong. However, I still use the back of the spoon and encourage you to try the same. Think outside the jar.

Where was I going with this?

Oh yeah, I wanted to tell you what I do when I find myself bored and don’t have anyone new to convince that using the back of a spoon for peanut butter sandwiches is best.

I turn to making board games. This is a great activity for me for many reasons, but…

3 reasons you should make a board game are to have:

1. Fun. When I have fun, I laugh. And when I laugh, I feel happier and less stressed. Science says fun and laughter are good for multiple reasons. If you like laughing and having fun, then you will love the joy of making board games and playing them with your family and friends. (Also, here is a good stress management guide. Making board games for fun seems to help me feel less stressed and I hope it can for you too!)
2. Freedom. Being independent and free is very important to creative people like myself. When you create your own game, you are in charge of the rules and how the world within your game acts. There is no teacher or parent to tell you “no”. Your best friend can offer suggestions on how to make your game better, but it’s your game. The freedom is in your hands to make it the way you want. Sound fun?
3. Fulfillment. I have made many games in my lifetime. Each of them have their own challenges. Finding solutions to the problems feels good. I feel a great sense of achievement when I enjoy a game of my own with the ones I love. Sound freeing?

(Related Reading: Want to make board game? Here is a helpful resource for putting together your own prototype)

Try it out Yourself

You don’t have to be overly creative like myself to make a game. These 3 reasons you should make a game are good for everyone that wants to give it a try.

And if you have made it this far, I know you are at least somewhat creative. Because people that aren’t creative get angry at just the thought or using a spoon for spreading peanut butter. “That is crazy! This is what knives are made for.” Oh well, their loss.

So if you are like me and find yourself crying out, “Mom!! I’m bored”, then you should try making your own game. You won’t regret it.

And let me know how YOU plan to change the world, 1 spoon at a time.