10 Printable Board Game Accessories You Can DIY

Board games have long been a favorite pastime for families and friends, offering opportunities for entertainment, competition, and strategy. Whether you're an avid board gamer or someone looking to breathe new life into old games, DIY board game accessories can enhance the experience and add a personal touch. One of the easiest and most creative ways to improve your gaming sessions is by creating custom accessories that suit your style, preferences, and game needs. And the best part? Many of these accessories are simple to make and can be printed at home.

In this article, we'll explore 10 different printable board game accessories that you can DIY, from custom dice to game pieces, boards, and even scorecards. These accessories can bring a fresh and unique flair to your games while saving money and adding a touch of personalization.

Custom Dice

Dice are a central element in many board games, and having a personalized set can add a new dimension to your gaming experience. Custom dice can be designed to match the theme of your game or reflect your personal taste. For example, you could design dice for a fantasy role-playing game with symbols like swords, shields, or magic spells, or create dice for a party game with fun, colorful graphics.

How to Make Custom Dice

• Materials Needed: Printable adhesive paper or sticker paper, blank wooden dice or printable dice templates, scissors, and a ruler.
• Steps :
  1. Search for or design a custom dice template online. Many free websites offer templates for printable dice, which you can modify to suit your needs.
  2. Print the dice faces onto adhesive paper or sticker sheets.
  3. Cut out the faces and carefully apply them to the blank dice. You can use wooden, plastic, or even cardboard dice for this project.
  4. Allow the dice to dry completely before using them.

Design Tips:

• Add bold and contrasting numbers or icons to make the dice easy to read.
• Customize the dice with unique colors or images to match the theme of your game.

Game Pieces and Tokens

Game pieces and tokens are another essential accessory for many board games. While many games come with generic pieces, creating custom tokens can elevate your gaming experience and add more excitement. You can print character pieces, coins, or even specific tokens for each game's theme.

How to Make Custom Game Pieces and Tokens

• Materials Needed: Printable sticker paper, a laminator or clear tape, scissors, and cardboard or foam sheets for backing.
• Steps :
  1. Find or design game piece templates online. There are numerous online resources where you can download character templates or token designs.
  2. Print the designs onto sticker paper and cut them out.
  3. For extra durability, laminate the tokens or apply clear tape over them.
  4. Attach the printed pieces to a sturdy backing material, such as cardboard, foam sheets, or even small wooden discs.

Design Tips:

• Design your tokens with a theme or color scheme that complements your game.
• Consider creating tokens with numbers or symbols for easy identification during gameplay.

Printable Game Boards

If you're creating your own custom board game or need to replace a damaged game board, printing your own game board is a great option. Many online tools allow you to design your own board with specific grid layouts, paths, or even complex maps. You can print these boards in a variety of sizes, depending on the game's needs.

How to Make a Printable Game Board

• Materials Needed: Printer, large sheets of paper or poster board, and design software.
• Steps :
  1. Use a design tool like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or even Microsoft Word to create your game board.
  2. Design the layout, including spaces, paths, and any other game elements.
  3. Print the game board onto large sheets of paper or poster board.
  4. If the board is large, you may need to print it in sections and piece it together using tape.

Design Tips:

• Ensure your board is easy to fold and store, and use a thicker paper for durability.
• Use bright colors and clear symbols to make the game board visually engaging and easy to understand.

Score Sheets and Trackers

For games that involve scoring, such as card games or strategy games, having printable score sheets and trackers can keep gameplay organized and more enjoyable. You can customize the sheets to include specific score categories, spaces for player names, or even decorative elements that match the theme of the game.

How to Make Score Sheets and Trackers

• Materials Needed: Printable paper or cardstock, design software.
• Steps :
  1. Open a design program like Canva or Microsoft Word to create a custom score sheet or tracker template.
  2. Add fields for player names, scores, rounds, or any other information needed for your game.
  3. Customize the design with themed graphics, fonts, and colors.
  4. Print out enough sheets for each player.

Design Tips:

• Keep the layout clear and simple to ensure players can easily keep track of their scores.
• Include enough space for all the rounds or categories relevant to the game.

Rule Cards

In some games, having printed rule cards can make the gameplay flow more smoothly, especially for games with complex rules. You can create quick reference cards for players to consult during the game, or print full rulebooks for easy access.

How to Make Printable Rule Cards

• Materials Needed: Printable paper or cardstock, scissors, design software.
• Steps :
  1. Design the rule cards with essential gameplay instructions or quick references.
  2. Format the rules in a clean and concise manner, highlighting important steps and actions.
  3. Print the cards onto sturdy cardstock for durability.
  4. Cut out the cards and laminate them for extra longevity.

Design Tips:

• Use icons or visual cues alongside text to make the rules easier to understand.
• Ensure the font is legible, and consider color coding sections of the rules for easier navigation.

Game Currency and Money

For games that involve trading, buying, or using currency, printable money can be a great addition. You can design your own currency, complete with denominations, symbols, and artwork to match the theme of your game.

How to Make Printable Game Money

• Materials Needed: Printable paper, design software, scissors.
• Steps :
  1. Design the currency with the appropriate denominations and artwork.
  2. Print the money on sturdy paper or cardstock for a more realistic feel.
  3. Cut out the bills or coins and consider laminating them for durability.

Design Tips:

• Customize the design with theme-specific elements (e.g., pirate-themed treasure, fantasy coins, etc.).
• Add serial numbers or designs to make the currency feel more authentic.

Game Tray Inserts

For organizing your game pieces, cards, and components, printable game tray inserts are a practical and stylish solution. These inserts can be designed to fit into the box of your game, keeping everything neatly organized and easily accessible.

How to Make Printable Game Tray Inserts

• Materials Needed: Printable paper, cardboard or foam board, glue or tape.
• Steps :
  1. Measure the inside of the game box to ensure the inserts will fit perfectly.
  2. Design the tray inserts, creating spaces for each component of the game (cards, tokens, dice, etc.).
  3. Print the inserts onto thick paper or cardstock.
  4. Cut and assemble the inserts using glue or tape.

Design Tips:

• Use bright colors or labels on each compartment to easily identify where each piece belongs.
• Make the inserts removable for easy setup and cleanup.

Card Sleeves

If you play a lot of card games, protecting your cards is essential. Custom printable card sleeves not only protect your cards from wear and tear but can also add a personal touch to your game.

How to Make Printable Card Sleeves

• Materials Needed: Printable adhesive paper, scissors, and card sleeves.
• Steps :
  1. Design card sleeve templates with the appropriate size for your game's cards.
  2. Print the designs onto adhesive paper.
  3. Cut out the sleeves and carefully apply them to the cards.

Design Tips:

• Add your favorite artwork or create custom designs for each deck of cards.
• Choose a theme that matches the game or the aesthetic you prefer.

Custom Game Boards for Virtual Games

For players who enjoy online or virtual board games, printable boards can also be used to create digital templates. This allows you to play physical board games in a digital format, perfect for remote play with friends and family.

How to Make Virtual Printable Game Boards

• Materials Needed: Design software, scanner or digital photo editor.
• Steps :
  1. Design a virtual game board with a digital tool.
  2. Print it out, scan the board, or take a photo for use in virtual play.
  3. Share the game board file with others to use in virtual games.

Design Tips:

• Create a clean and simple design for easy understanding and navigation in virtual games.
• Add instructions or labels to help players understand the rules.

Player Markers and Reference Cards

In strategy games, it's useful to have printable player markers or reference cards to help players keep track of their actions or status. You can design personalized cards or markers that track health, resources, or progress.

How to Make Printable Player Markers and Reference Cards

• Materials Needed: Printable cardstock, design software.
• Steps :
  1. Design player markers or reference cards with specific fields for tracking health, resources, or other game-related information.
  2. Print them on sturdy paper or cardstock.
  3. Cut out the markers or cards and laminate them for durability.

Design Tips:

• Include clear, easy-to-read labels for tracking important stats during gameplay.
• Use simple icons or color coding to make reference cards more intuitive.

Conclusion

DIY printable board game accessories provide a creative way to customize your gaming experience. By designing your own game pieces, boards, dice, and accessories, you can transform any game into something unique and tailored to your preferences. Not only is this a fun and inexpensive way to enhance your board gaming sessions, but it also allows you to explore new design techniques and give your games a personal touch. So, gather your materials, fire up your printer, and start creating accessories that will take your board games to the next level!

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