Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Activity, Change, Progress

games

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

| 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have an Ancient Egypt diy mummification process game. You’ll love the other History Games I have on my page.

If you are studying Ancient Egypt and need a great hands-on activity to help teach your child you’ll love this mummification process game.

Yes, we made a game for that.

Games are an incredible way to learn something new.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

And games reinforce a topic that you are learning.

Now, I’ve bought all kinds of ready-made games.

However, creating your own game from the ground up and including your child in the process is the best way to learn.

 I came up with this game that doesn’t require any special items and let’s your child be in charge of the game creation.

Creating the game will help the facts that they learn stick in their head better.

Benefits of Game Playing

Also, it will help teach your children research skills and give them a sense of pride in accomplishment.

I wanted to be sure it included more than just the history of this Ancient Egyptian ritual.

For younger children rolling and adding dice is a simple way to also incorporate math into your day.

They will learn or reinforce anatomy lessons through the anatomy drawings and labels.

I created a printable with the basic rules and values for the dice numbers rolled.

Creating the game requires reading, writing, and art skills

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Before you begin use videos, resources, and books from your personal collection or borrow them from library to learn about the mummification process.

Fun Ancient Egypt Resources

This will make creating the cards much easier and give your child an understanding of the why.

Here are a few resources and activities that you might enjoy along with this diy mummification process game.

  • These Toob Organs are a great teaching tool not only for anatomy but here in Ancient Egypt Studies. Also, they can be used for inspiration when drawing the organ cards. We have also used them in making large canopic jars as well.

There is also the Ancient Egypt Toob that can be used for art inspiration, sensory bins, dioramas, and so much more.

Let each child be responsible for creating their own set of cards for when you play

More Fun History Games Resources

Look at them below.

Depending on their age and ability level they may create the entire card on their own or may need some assistance.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

They will be tickled with their own contributions to the game.

You don’t need anything other than the cards and dice but the props sure are fun to set the

How to Make a Mummification Process Game

Here is what you will need:

  • White cardstock
  • Colored cardstock
  • Paper slicer
  • Glue stick or double sided tape
  • Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
  • 2 dice
Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

First, cut white cardstock into 3 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles. You will need 9 for each player.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Then cut 9 of one colored cardstock for each child to 3 ¾ ” x 4 ¾”.

Write or instruct your child to write one of each of these phrases on the top of each of the 9 cards:

  • 1-Wash body and remove organs
  • 2-Remove brain through the nose
  • 3-Place lungs in canopic jar
  • 4-Place intestines in canopic jar
  • 5-Place stomach in canopic jar
  • 6-Place liver in canopic jar
  • 7-Fill body and cover with salt for 40 days
  • 8-Wrap body in linen bandages
  • 9-Place body in sarcophagus

Next, encourage them to draw something to represent each of these steps.

I encourage a bit of silliness if it has something to do with what they are trying to accomplish for the step.

Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, or whatever they like to make it fun and colorful.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Here is a look at some more of the cards we created.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Glue the white completed cards to the colored cardstock to make it a bit sturdier.

Write the step numbers on the back of each card so they can easily be lined up for play face down.

Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game

Below is a printable with the rules and the assigned “value” for each dice combination.

You can choose to roll one or two dice depending on which numbers you need.

For instance, if all you are missing is a #1 you would want to roll only once die to attempt to get the number you need.

How to Get the Free Printable Rules

Grab the free page. It’s a subscriber freebie.

 1) Sign up on my list.
 2) Grab the freebie instantly.
3) Glad to have you following me. Look for my emails in your inbox now.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

| 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Games in the past can be a unit study or add to your history lessons. You’ll love the other history games I have too.

Do you ever wonder about people of the past spent their days?

Backgammon is one of the oldest games known right up there with chess.

It is thought to be about 5,000 years old or more and believed to have developed in Mesopotamia which is now known as Iraq.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

If you are going to study a period of history, one great way to do that is to study the way they lived, how they passed their days, and interacted with one another. 

Also, you can do that through playing games.

It’s even better if you create your own version.

Today, I’m showing you how to make your own easy to create and store version of  the game backgammon.

Games of the Past Ancient Mesopotamia

Nobody quite knows where the name actually came from.

However, historians believe that it came from Middle English: baec – back and gamen-game.

It possibly evolved from the Royal Game of Ur and is known as the game of kings.

There is a lot of historical literature and art that portrays people playing backgammon.

The boards that are very similar to today’s versions which we have developed and still play.

Next, add some historical facts.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

And hands-on ideas to make studying about games in the past fun.

Facts about Ancient Mesopotamia

  • Mesopotamia is the ancient Greek name  for the region that is the modern day area that is now Iraq and parts of Iran.
  • It was considered part of the cradle of civilization because so much .
  • Mesopotamia means 0the land between two rivers( Tigris and Euphrates).
  • Many theologies and political systems developed out of Mesopotamia.
  • Here the earliest writing system, cuneiform, was created.
  • The Sumerians from this area are credited with inventing the wheel.
  • The first law codes like the code of Hammurabi and the Code of Urukagina were created here.
  • Mesopotamia is located in the area that archaeologists call The Fertile Crescent, called so because of the rich soil beds from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  • There is very little of ancient Mesopotamia that still stands because they made their buildings out of sun-dried bricks that didn’t last as long.
  • A lot of what we do know today is found out from clay tablets that were found in the library in the city of Nineveh.

Too, I’ll list some hands-on ideas below.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

In addition, you’ll love these other history game resources on my site.

Other Fun History Games Resources

Look at them below.

And look below here for hands-on activities.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

DIY Backgammon Game

Here is what you will need:

Finally, look below at how to make this DIY backgammon.

  • File folder
  • 2 colors or patterns of cardstock
  • Ruler
  • 30 small items- blocks, buttons, coins, flat beads, etc…
  • 2- six sided dice
  • Glue stick

To create the long narrow wedges (points) you want to first create a template so you only have to do the measurements once. 

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Then, cut cardstock down to a rectangle with the height being 5”.

This is a good length for your points on a file folder.

After measure 1” across the bottom from the left  and make a small pencil mark to create your 1” width.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Next, on the top left corner mark ½” over and make a mark to create the point.

Use a ruler to draw the line from each mark at the bottom to the point at the top for the elongated triangle.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Cut your template out and use it to trace and cut 12 of each of your chosen color or patterned cardstock.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Open the file folder and glue down alternating color wedges.

Put 6 on either side of the fold. Repeat on the other side of the folder.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Allow the glue to dry completely before closing the folder.

You can use anything you have on hand for your checkers if two different colors or other identification for each player.

For example, buttons, small erasers, coins, tiny figures, checkers from another game, etc..

I found these tiny little unfinished squares and painted half (15) gold and left half unfinished.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Store them in a ziploc bag with your dice and tape to the back of your file folder if you like.

Entertaining Games in the Past How to Make an Easy Backgammon Game

Grab several file folders and challenge your child to invent their own file folder game for today’s civilization.

15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’ve rounded up some fun world history board games. Also, you’ll love grabbing more ideas for history games on my page.

If you are digging deep into a study on Ancient Egypt, The Fall of Rome, or The Middle Ages the best ways to learn and have fun at the same time is with a great board game.

15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun

While not all may actually teach specifics of history they are a great way to get a taste and understanding of life back then.

Of course you don’t have to be studying a specific history topic.

All of these games are great for any history lover in general and have a lot to offer for fun and game schooling.

Learn about history through strategy, trivia, combat, role playing games and more.

Start by exploring three main periods of history

The three main time periods I’ve covered in these games are

  • The  Ancient World
  • Middle Ages,
  • and Modern History of the world.

Cool History Games

After all, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it according to George Santayana.

Besides the facts these games can help teach a period of history game play is just amazing for family bonding.

Too, family board games help your children learn other things like cooperation, strategy, memorization, and reading comprehension.

Besides being a diversion from the normal routine of your homeschool day, cool history games can motivate your kids if they find history boring.

I’ve divided up board games by time periods so that you can easily match to your unit studies.

15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun

More Fun History Games

I know you’ll find something you’ll love in one of these time periods.

Ancient World History Board Games

This period covers the oldest records of human history from 3000 BCE – 500 CE. It ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Han Dynasty in China, and the Gupta Empire in India. It teaches us about origins, cultures, traditions, and beginning civilizations. Here is where we learn of Egyptian Kings and Queens, the Trojan War, and Genghis Khan. It begins rising out of Mesopotamia and Egypt and ends with the fall of the Roman Empire

Middle Ages World History Board Games

The Middle Ages refers to that time in European history that started with the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century CE to the Renaissance. It is full of conquerors, explorers, scholars, brave knights and Vikings.

Modern Age World History Board Games

Explore card and strategy games that take place from the end of the Middle Ages to the middle of the 20th Century. Test your knowledge on things like the Industrial Revolution, Cold War, and the Wright Brothers first flight.

World History Board Games Covering Multiple Time Periods

These games cover ancient to modern history for those that want a broader scope of time. Test your knowledge of everything from Ancient Egypt to Adolph Hitler and see who will hold the title of Hero of History.

18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 18 American history board games which breathe life into your history teaching. You’ll love the other history games I have on my page Kids History Games Boosts Learning & Promotes Critical Thinking.

I am a big fan of gameschooling.

No matter what your homeschooling style is, gameschooling can add a fun element which helps kids retain more than just facts.

Playing American history games can help them gain an understanding of the why, how, where, when, and who of history through learning geography, trivia, strategy, and general information.

Today we are focusing on some American history board games to add to your homeschool day.

I have drawn deep from the Amazon well and found games to cover quite a few major periods of American history and they’re ones we’ve used too.

From the first people that set sail on the soil of the new world to revolutions, Civil War within America, westward expansion to a cover up at the Watergate hotel, your kids will love them.

American History Games

You can play them at home as a supplement to your history lessons or in place of a lesson some days for a fun break.

They are a great tool for co-op days as well.

And small card games can be great for waiting at restaurants or doctor’s offices.

Additionally, look at some of the topics your child can learn about.

  • Political History
  • Social History
  • Economic History
  • Religious History
  • Diplomatic History
  • Art History
  • Women’s History
  • Science/Medicine History
  • Food History
  • Environmental History

Then there are academic skills as well. Look at this list below.

  • reading fluency
  • comprehension
  • problem solving skills
  • critical thinking, reasoning
  • self regulation
  • verbal communication skills
  • increased vocabulary
  • social skills, patience, resilience, logic,
  • and a lot more skills that come with board game play whether its trivia, strategy, or role playing.

Did I also mention that a lot of these games below will also teach civics, geography, math and science? Yes! yes!

Other Fun History Games Resources

Too, look at these other fun history games resources:

You’re sure to find something here to go with your unit studies, unschooling, relaxed schooling, or gameschooling.

Let’s jump into finding your family the perfect American history board game.

18 American History Board Games to Bring History to Life

No matter what your homeschooling style is, gameschooling can add a fun element that really helps kids retain more than just facts.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

| Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re doing hands-on history and want to add ancient Greek games for kids, you’ll love this knucklebones game and the other games on my page Kids History Games Boosts Learning & Promotes Critical Thinking.

I am sharing with you how to make and play Knucklebones.

It’s one of the oldest discovered ancient games.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Knucklebones is an ancient Greek game typically played with 5 small objects.

They were initially made from the knuckles of sheep or goats. 

It was also called Tali, 5 stones, Jacks, scatter jacks, dibs, jackstones, or astragalus.

It is a primitive form of the modern game of jacks that is played with little metal pieces and a rubber ball.

The game of Knucklebones is 2,000 years old.

How Knucklebones Was Invented

The official rules are not known as it is such an ancient game.

But several versions have been guessed at through paintings and sculptures.

We are making the version that is like the more modern jacks game.

According to Sophocles, the mythical figure Palamedes invented te game of Knucklebones.

And taught it to Greek soldiers during the Trojan War.

Here is an image of a sculpture depicting two Greek girls playing Knucklebones.

They look so much like two little modern girls playing on the sidewalk, don’t they?

Ancient Greek Games for Kids

Look at some other toys ancient Greek children played with or spent their day being entertained with. And learn the Greek name for them.

  • Spinning Top-Stromvos
  • Rattles- Platagi
  • Animal Figurines- Athyrma
  • Marbles- Spheria
  • Piggyback game- Ephedrismos
  • Ourania- Game with a ball
  • Passe-boule- Similar to basketball

Here are some images of Ancient Greek Toys  to get an idea of what they looked like.

Ancient Greece Game Knucklebones Rules

You can play this game with 1 to 4 players. Cast (or toss) the knucklebones the same way you would dice.

Toss one knucklebone up into the air and try to grab one off the ground. Catch the falling one before it hits the ground.

Repeat but grab 2, then 3, then 4 to complete a sequence.

The winner is the first person to complete all the required sequences.

You can also play by tossing up all into the air and trying to catch as many as you can on the back of the hand or in your palm.

If you are going to play this version make your knucklebones smaller so they are easier to catch and don’t hurt.

Yet another variation is to try to toss one up and grab as many as you can in your hand before it falls.

You will want to practice.

Don’t scatter them to much or throw them too high. This will give you more control over catching them or grabbing them up.

Also, a completely different take on knucklebones assigns a points system to each side of the die.

And the winner is the one with the highest point value after tossing the knucklebones and counting up where they land. This is where the numbers or symbols you added come into the game.

Encourage your children to make up their own game with the Knucklebones. See what their imagination comes up with.

Next, look how to make your own DIY Knucklebones.

How to Make DIY Knucklebones Game

I found this terra cotta air dry clay at dollar tree and thought it looked pretty ancient so it was perfect.

You will need:

Then, create a rustic dice shape by first rolling 4 to 5 similar sized balls of clay out.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Next, pinch to create a bowed shape on the top and bottom of one face. But don’t invert too much if you plan on writing/drawing on them.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Rotate and repeat this step all the way around, this will give us a basic shape similar to real knucklebones.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Allow the clay to dry completely. This is what your final shape should look like.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

Decorate your sides with numbers or symbols if you like using a small paintbrush and paint or a paint pen. 

We researched ancient Greek numbers and used those. This will give your child some math practice too. You could also make up your own symbols for your family if you want.

Make a key like I did here to keep track of what each Greek number represents.

Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones

What do you think? What other Ancient Greek games for kids will you add to your Ancient Greece Unit study?

Other History Games for Kids

And finally, here are some other Ancient Greece activities.

Other Ancient Greece Activities