My son loves to play games, and with him starting school and learning how to describe his emotions, I figured tying one of his favorite games and learning how to describe how he felt throughout the day together when he got home would give him a good solid understanding of how to process those big feelings... So here we are!
The final file has a couple of changes after the run that's in the picture (I have removed the swivel foot and made the attached feet a bit wider instead). I have included both options. This allows you to use it in a few configurations. You can use dowels to hang it on the back piece and prop it up at an angle, you can use it with the original sides/short feet and the swivel (a small both and nut can be used to create a swivel for the bottom), or you can use the sides with the longer feet to stand on its own). This way you can customize the pieces and just play plain old "connect more than 3 chips in a row" ;)
The pictures are of it unfinished because the project was put together at night, and I want my son to be able to paint it! I'll upload a painted picture once we get it painted.
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Step 1: Create Circle Grid for Cutouts
The first thing I had to do was create the circle grid for the cutouts for the game board. I used the grid array to achieve this. I set these circles to Cut mode.
Step 2
I then separated each column of circles with vertical rectangles. These will act as channels for the separators. They're just a under 2mm, so what we'll do is take our 3mm material and taper the edges with some sandpaper or a utility knife (be careful!) when that step comes. We want to run each of these twice to create a little depth in the material so as to give the channel dividers something to sink into when we're gluing them into place, otherwise they're going to swim around and will be hard to keep in place while they're drying. It's doable, but tough!
Step 3
I then created the outline of the shape of the board. This allows for finger joints. I added a loop at the top corners, so I could fashion a back to run dowels through to be able to hold the board at an angle for setting on a table or hanging from a string next to the door when my son comes home from school.
Step 4
I created the back. At first, I created a little target for the holes, as I was planning on drilling and using some screws to hold the piece onto the back, but then I thought it would be nicer to use the dowels to make a tabletop setup.
Step 5: Foot/Stand Options
I had started with one style of stand after seeing it in a 3D version someone was playing with, then opted for a simplified model for standing up on its own. I have provided both in the file, so the user can pick.
Step 6
Custom tokens/chips to choose from that represent some basic emotions that a 5yo may feel on a given day. I tried to keep it pretty simple, and tried to skew it on the positive side. Kids have big emotions. We want to encourage the good ones where we can! Some of the emotions I included: Cool, Loved, Funny, Happy, REALLY Funny, Sleepy, Sad, Unwell/Sick, Nervous, and one “I Don't Know!?”
The first thing I had to do was create the circle grid for the cutouts for the game board. I used the grid array to achieve this. I set these circles to Cut mode.
I then separated each column of circles with vertical rectangles. These will act as channels for the separators. They're just a under 2mm, so what we'll do is take our 3mm material and taper the edges with some sandpaper or a utility knife (be careful!) when that step comes. We want to run each of these twice to create a little depth in the material so as to give the channel dividers something to sink into when we're gluing them into place, otherwise they're going to swim around and will be hard to keep in place while they're drying. It's doable, but tough!
I then created the outline of the shape of the board. This allows for finger joints. I added a loop at the top corners, so I could fashion a back to run dowels through to be able to hold the board at an angle for setting on a table or hanging from a string next to the door when my son comes home from school.
I created the back. At first, I created a little target for the holes, as I was planning on drilling and using some screws to hold the piece onto the back, but then I thought it would be nicer to use the dowels to make a tabletop setup.
I had started with one style of stand after seeing it in a 3D version someone was playing with, then opted for a simplified model for standing up on its own. I have provided both in the file, so the user can pick.
Custom tokens/chips to choose from that represent some basic emotions that a 5yo may feel on a given day. I tried to keep it pretty simple, and tried to skew it on the positive side. Kids have big emotions. We want to encourage the good ones where we can! Some of the emotions I included: Cool, Loved, Funny, Happy, REALLY Funny, Sleepy, Sad, Unwell/Sick, Nervous, and one “I Don't Know!?”