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The idea of crafting your own board game can seem time-consuming at first, but this simple game of memory match comes together in no time! Grab an empty box from your recycling bin and as many shades of green paint as you can get your hands on. Fingerprints make perfect shamrocks and four-leaf clovers, don’t you think? And when you’re done playing, scatter the cards on your kitchen table as confetti to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
what you need:
- Cardboard
- Paint (shades of green)
- Paintbrushes
- Craft knife
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Pencil
how-to:
Step 1
Find a piece of cardboard that is plain on at least one side. Use a pencil and ruler to mark out a grid of 2 1/2″ squares, or however big you’d like each card to be. You can make as many cards as you like, just remember to make an even number.
Find a piece of cardboard that is plain on at least one side. Use a pencil and ruler to mark out a grid of 2 1/2″ squares, or however big you’d like each card to be. You can make as many cards as you like, just remember to make an even number.
Step 2
Pick out a shade of green paint and apply a coat over the entire surface. If one side of your cardboard is patterned, paint this side and let dry.
Pick out a shade of green paint and apply a coat over the entire surface. If one side of your cardboard is patterned, paint this side and let dry.
Step 3
Once dry, paint a pattern on top of this first coat. I used a simple grid so that each card would be similar and not different enough to be noticeable and help players remember specific cards’ locations when playing. Let dry.
Once dry, paint a pattern on top of this first coat. I used a simple grid so that each card would be similar and not different enough to be noticeable and help players remember specific cards’ locations when playing. Let dry.
Step 4
Use a craft knife and ruler to cut out the grid you drew forming the cards.
Use a craft knife and ruler to cut out the grid you drew forming the cards.
Step 5
Flip all the cards over so that the plain, unpainted sides are facing up. Apply green paint onto a scrap paper and have your kids dip their fingers into the paint. Stamp your fingers onto the cards forming a four-leaf clover! Use the same color on one other card to make a matching set, and then use a paintbrush to paint on a small stem. Repeat this process but make sure to only make two of each design, swapping out colors, making some 3 leaf clovers too, and painting the background another color. Let dry.
Flip all the cards over so that the plain, unpainted sides are facing up. Apply green paint onto a scrap paper and have your kids dip their fingers into the paint. Stamp your fingers onto the cards forming a four-leaf clover! Use the same color on one other card to make a matching set, and then use a paintbrush to paint on a small stem. Repeat this process but make sure to only make two of each design, swapping out colors, making some 3 leaf clovers too, and painting the background another color. Let dry.
Step 6
Shuffle the dried cards and you’re ready to play!
Shuffle the dried cards and you’re ready to play!
You can also use a similar technique to make DIY pins for St. Patrick’s Day and avoid any pinches!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!