What to Do with Old Board Games?

Repurposing Old Board Games for New Uses

Old board games can be more than just gathering dust. There are many creative ways to transform them into decorative items, fun DIY projects, and even fashion accessories.

Creating Decorative Items

One popular way to repurpose old board games is to turn them into decorative items for your home. Scrabble tiles can be arranged into words and framed to make personalized wall art. Board game boards can be cut and used as unique picture frames. A vintage Ouija board can be mounted as a curious wall hanging.

We can use game pieces like chess pieces to create stylish hooks or knobs. Another idea is to make coasters from thick board game pieces. Domino clocks involve adding clock mechanisms to domino sets for a quirky timepiece. Display shelves can be assembled from sturdier boards, offering a mix of function and nostalgia.

DIY Crafts and Projects

Board games make excellent materials for many DIY crafts. Jenga blocks are great for building small shelves or even picture frames. Keychains can be made from a variety of game pieces, adding a playful touch to our everyday items. Scrabble tiles can be turned into witty magnets for refrigerators or inspirational signs for our desks.

We can also find instructions on sites like Instructables to guide these projects. For example, a Twister board can be cut and sewn into a raincoat, making rainy days a bit more fun. Old game cards can be used as tags or book covers, while dice can be drilled to create beads for unique jewelry.

Upcycling Games into Fashion Accessories

Transforming old board games into fashion accessories is both trendy and eco-friendly. For instance, Scrabble tiles can be used to create custom necklaces or bracelets. Wine glass charms made from tiny game pieces keep our drinks stylish and identifiable.

We can attach game tokens to safety pins to make quirky brooches. Chess pieces and dominoes can be used to design earrings that are sure to start conversations. Etsy offers plenty of inspiration for upcycled game fashion, showing us that our old games can have a new life in our wardrobes.

Evaluating and Maximizing the Value of Vintage Games

When looking to assess the value of vintage board games, it’s important to consider their condition and completeness. Additionally, exploring various selling and trading options can help you get the most out of them.

Assessing Condition and Completeness

To determine the value of a vintage board game, we first need to check its condition. Look at the box for any damage like tears, dented corners, or fading. Unmarked boxes with little wear are more valuable.

Next, make sure the game is complete. For games like Monopoly or Clue, verify that all tokens, cards, and pieces are present. Missing parts can lower the value significantly, but if you can find the missing pieces online or at local game stores, you can restore the game’s worth.

Here’s a quick checklist for assessing condition:

• Box: No damage, intact.
• Game pieces: Present, undamaged.
• Board: Clean, unmarked.
• Instructions: Original manual included.

Selling and Trading Options

Once we’ve assessed the game’s condition, we can explore selling or trading it. Online platforms like eBay or Etsy are good starting points for selling rare or vintage games at a competitive price. Make sure to provide clear photos and a detailed description.

Local game stores can also be a great place to sell or trade vintage games. They often have buyers looking for specific items like Scrabble or old Monopoly editions. Sometimes, game stores offer trade-in value rather than cash, which can be useful if we are looking for other games.

We can also consider board game markets or fairs, where enthusiasts gather to buy, sell, and trade games. These venues can provide an opportunity to connect with collectors directly.

By following these steps, we can maximize the value we get from our vintage games.

Incorporating Board Games into Learning and Activities

We can use old board games to create fun and educational activities for both kids and adults. Here’s how we can transform these games into valuable learning tools and engaging social events.

Educational Opportunities for Kids

Old board games can be excellent learning aids. For instance, Monopoly money can help children practice counting and basic math. We can turn game pieces into teaching tools for colors, shapes, and patterns.

A board game diary or journal can be used to document what games we play, strategies, and learning outcomes. Using a notebook, kids can write about their gaming experiences, which helps improve their writing skills.

Playing cards can be reused to teach probability and statistics. We can create simple lessons or trivia games that make learning these subjects more engaging.

Lastly, we can use decoupage to recycle game boards into new learning materials or art projects, offering kids a hands-on way to enhance their creativity and motor skills.

Host a Themed Board Game Night

We can organize themed board game nights to make our gatherings more exciting. Choose a theme, like “Classic Games” or “Fantasy Adventure,” and ask everyone to dress the part.

Set up different game stations around the house, each with a different board game and related activities. We can even use old playing cards or game pieces as decorations to match the theme.

A board game night is an excellent chance to introduce new people to our favorite games and build a sense of community. Keeping a board game diary can help us track which games were popular and what people enjoyed most.

With some creativity and planning, our old board games can bring joy and learning into our lives in many unexpected ways.