File Folder Games

During my absence, I spent a week of my crafting time doing making these:

File Folder Games!

They're really easy to do!

What you need:

• Manila file folders
• computer and printer
• coloring tools--- I used crayons and pencils
• buy (or find a friend who has) a book full of games. I recommend {Finch Family Games}. Each book comes with a CD; so you can choose to color the games in yourself or print out colored versions. This is the book I bought:Sticky Velcro circles
• scissors
• Three-ring binder, two inches wide
• binder clips

Some hints/tips when making file folder games:

• Use the colored-in version of the games, if you can't color for a long time. Personally, I colored half of mine in and printed out the other half. Here's a close up of one of the ones I printed out pre-colored:
• If you take your game to get lamintated (which I recommend), cut down the folder before adhering the game to it. It'll save you time at the print center.
• Also, leave space in the middle crease so you can hole punch the game after lamination.
• Since you hole-punched your games, store them in a three-ring binder. I bought a two-inch binder (it fits about ten games and pieces).
• Home laminate the game pieces. You can use clear contact paper (about $5 for one roll), self-laminating sheets, or a home laminator. All reasonably priced.
• Use binder clips to keep pieces with the correct game. It also comes in handy keeping the game closed.
• When we go to church, I only take three or four games with me. As apart of our Sunday morning routine, I go grab a couple games and stick them in my son's sacrament bag.
• Sticky velcro circle are just fine to use as your pieces. I was really worried that they would be too loud during sacrament meeting. I now know from experience, it's not.

This is a simple, quick and fun way to make quiet games for your kids to play during church. Plus, you can color in the pages any down time you have. Just remember to have fun! It doesn't have to be perfect, your kids will play with them no matter what!