Video games, if moderately used, can be good for a child’s psychological well-being along with improvement in hand-eye coordination, attention span, and game-planning. Let’s add more benefits to this list by asking the children to make their favorite games with the resources available at home or school.
With this fun activity, we hope to bring out the creativity in every child and enhance the team spirit in them. We can even expect the children to come up with their own games soon!
Resources needed per student
Cardboard
Chart Paper (any color)
Scissors
Pencil & Ruler
Paper straws / Pencils
Paint and brush
Hot Glue
Fevicol
Toothpick
Sketch pens
Thread
Double side tape
Time Needed
1 hour (additional time for drying)
Instructions for students
Step 0:
Pick up your favorite Mario game location or ideate your own location/backdrop for a character of your choice.
Step 1:
Cut the chart paper as per the following measurements-
Breadth - 10 cm
Length - 60 cm
OR
Use any other plain paper and join papers to get the length.
Step 2:
Draw and paint the sheet using watercolors(for quick dry) as per the planned scenario for Mario. Let it dry.
Step 3:
Stick the left and right end of the sheet to the paper straws/pencils using hot glue. Roll the right end of the sheet in the clockwise direction.
Step 4:
Cut a cardboard for 20 cm X 20 cm (length X breadth). Also cut 7 small square pieces of 3 cm sides each, and cut out two round pieces of 2 cm diameter.
Step 5:
Make holes in 4 of the small square pieces using a divider to insert the straws/pencils.
Step 6:
Stick those four pieces vertically to hold the straws/pencils on the big cardboard using hot glue.
Step 7:
Stick the 2 round pieces together. Make holes in 2 more small square pieces and the round pieces using a divider, to insert a toothpick.
Step 8:
Stick the squares on the big cardboard. Fix the two squares on each side of the round piece in the toothpick.
Do not stick the round piece to the toothpick using the adhesive.
Step 9:
Make a 'U' cut (as shown in the image below) on two opposite sides of the last square piece.
Step 10:
Stick that piece on the upper side of the big cardboard, in line with the square pieces holding the straws/pencils. Pass a thread over the 'U' piece, the game sheet, and the circular pieces. Pass the other end of the thread under the game sheet through the 'U' piece and tie the ends near the circular pieces.
Step 11:
Draw and color your favorite character, Mario on a paper and cut it in that shape. Stick Mario on the thread using a double-sided tape.
Step 12:
Use the round pieces in the bottom-center to move Mario up and down. Rotate the left-hand side straw/pencil in the anti-clockwise direction to roll the sheet. This will show Mario moving forward to reach the final pole.
Enjoy your game!
Instructions for Teachers
Ideation
Allow the students to design their own game scenarios and characters. Encourage the students to create their own games and plan out it's making with easily available resources.
Resources utilization
Ensure the equitable distribution and efficient usage of the available resources. Let the students add new elements to the game such as a motor to roll the paper at a fixed speed. Ask them to think of alternatives to the used resources. Such alternatives should mainly be in the direction of reusing or recycling material.
Teamwork and sharing
The ideation and making process can also be done as a group activity. That way, children can learn to work as a team and share the end result. This can enhance their knowledge & resource sharing attitude.
Teachers should make sure everyone in the group participates actively and there is effective communication among the students.
Have fun making and share the works of your students with the hashtag #projectprayogshala to get featured!