Dry erase or white boards provide endless activity opportunities for people of all ages. Whether using a large board in a classroom or individual boards at a senior center, these games require no additional materials and provide hours of fun.
Shape Shifters
This take on Scrabble uses shapes instead of letters, making it appropriate for people ages six and up. The ideal number of players is two on an individual board and up to six on a large board. Your goal in Shape Shifters is to draw more shapes than any other player.
Gameplay
You'll need a different color marker for each player. Choose an order, like youngest to oldest, before you begin.
- Player One draws any shape that has sides and corners in the center of the board.
- The next player must draw a shape that connects to the first one either on one side or on one corner. For example, if the first shape is a square you could draw a triangle using one side of the square as one side of the triangle.
- Each player draws one shape on a turn until no one can make a new shape.
- Count the number of shapes for each player. The player with the most wins.
Special Rules
You can only use one side or corner of a shape to connect your new shape. You cannot draw a line inside other shapes to create new shapes. Acceptable shapes include square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, decagon, triangle, rhombus, trapezoid, parallelogram, diamond, star, and semicircle.
Lost Connection
Loosely inspired by the classic game Telephone where players spread a verbal message, Lost Connection challenges the last player to figure out the original phrase.
Gameplay
The game works best with one individual dry erase board that can be passed around the group. The more players you have, the more difficult the game. Generally, kids ages ten and up will love this simple game.
- The first player writes a phrase on the board, underlining each letter separately. For smaller groups the phrase should be at least five words and larger groups should use phrases with at least ten words.
- Player Two erases one letter from the phrase, leaving its underline there as a blank.
- Each successive player erases one letter more than the last player. For example Player Two erases one, Player Three erases two, Player Four erases three, and so on.
- The last player then tries to fill in the blanks to complete the original phrase correctly.
Color War
Color War plays like a classic board game. It's meant for two players and works best with older kids and adults. Your goal is to be the first player to reach the end of the game board.
Setup
Draw a series of at least 24 equal-sized squares, attached together in one long line like a sidewalk, that starts around the edge of the board and spirals inward until you reach the center. Designate the square at one end as "Start" and the square at the opposite end as "Finish." Write the numbers one through twelve on the board. Next to each number write the following number of hash marks:
- One, two, and three = four each
- Four, five, and six = three each
- Seven, eight, and nine = two each
- Ten, eleven, and twelve = one each
Gameplay
- Each player chooses one color marker to use for the game; players can't be the same color.
- Player One chooses a number, crosses out one of that number's hash marks, and counts that many spaces from the "Start" square. He colors the square he lands on with his color.
- Player Two follows the same directions.
- If a player lands on a square that has already been colored in by their opponent, the player must go back to "Start."
- Once the hash marks are all crossed out for a number, no one can use that number anymore.
- The player to color in the "Finish" square first is the winner.
Outer Space Takeover
It's Capture the Flag meets outer space as players attempt to conquer each other's planets. Ideal gameplay includes two players ages five and up, but more players can be included if you section the game board off into equal parts for each player.
Setup
Player one chooses a colored marker and draws three empty circles, or planets, in a horizontal line at one end of the board. Player two does the same at the opposite end of the board. Use another color to draw a horizontal line across the center of the board with six circles, evenly spaced, straddling the line. Use this same marker to draw an asteroid field on each side of the center line that includes four rows of six open circles (asteroids).
Gameplay
Once you're set up, choose a player to start.
- On his first turn, Player One draws an "x" on one of the asteroids in the row directly in front of his own planets. Player Two does the same.
- Players take turns and on a turn can:
- Add a new ship to the first row on their side. You can only have three ships on the board at once.
- Erase one of their ships and move it to any empty asteroid that is one space away.
- Erase any asteroid on their side of the board. You can't erase an asteroid your opponent currently occupies.
- When you reach your opponent's planet, you color it in with your color and that ship can start over.
- The first player to fill the other's planets, or the player with the most captured opponent planets when there are no moves left, is the winner.
The Path Home
Kids as young as four can play The Path Home, which is meant for two to four players. The objective is to be the first person to connect both of your houses with a series of squares.
Gameplay
To start, each player should choose a different colored marker.
- Each player draws a small house near each of two opposite edges of the board. Players should draw one starting square in front of each house.
- On a turn a player can draw one square that connects to the square in front of either of their houses. Added squares can connect to any side of the previous square. A player can also erase one of their opponent's squares instead of adding his or her own square. You can only erase a square that is at the open end of the opponent's line.
- Opponent lines cannot cross.
- Gameplay continues until one player connects the starting squares for each of his or her houses.
The Fastest Way to Play All Day
When you play games using a dry erase board, it's quick and easy to set up and erase one game after another. Play the same game over and over or try out several new games in a short timeframe.
