Write a guide explaining a game
Write and illustrate a clear guide explaining a simple playground game, describing rules, goals, materials, and step-by-step instructions for others to play.
About this tutorial
Write and illustrate a clear guide explaining a simple playground game, describing rules, goals, materials, and step-by-step instructions for others to play.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick one simple playground game you love or want to teach and say its name out loud.
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Step 2
Write a short fun title for your guide at the top of the paper.
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Step 3
Write one clear sentence that explains the goal of the game (what players try to do).
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Step 4
Write a short list of the materials players need to play the game.
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Step 5
Write four simple rules that tell players what they must do and what they must not do.
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Step 6
Write four short step-by-step play instructions that show how a round of the game works.
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Step 7
Draw a simple picture that shows the play area or how to set up the game.
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Step 8
Add a small illustration next to each rule or instruction to make it easy to understand.
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Step 9
Use your colouring materials to colour headings and pictures so the guide is bright and easy to read.
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Step 10
Write one brief safety tip and one suggested age range for the game.
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Step 11
Add a short example round that shows how players take turns or score points.
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Step 12
Read your guide out loud and fix any words that are hard to understand or spelled wrong.
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Step 13
Fold or staple your pages into a neat booklet so others can hold and read it easily.
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Step 14
Share your finished guide and pictures on DIY.org so other kids can learn your game.
Fun facts
How do I write and illustrate a guide for a simple playground game?
To create and share a clear guide for a simple playground game, start by choosing an easy game (tag, freeze tag, relay). Give it a short title, list the goal and simple rules, and write step-by-step play instructions: setup, starting signal, turns, scoring, and how to end the game. Have the child draw illustrations showing positions, the playing area, and actions. Test the instructions with friends, revise confusing parts, and add safety notes so others can play safely.
What materials do I need to write and illustrate the playground game guide?
You’ll need paper or a sketchbook, pencils and erasers, colored pencils or markers for illustrations, and a ruler to draw boundaries. Optional materials: crayons, stickers, a clipboard or folder to keep pages tidy, and a camera or smartphone to photograph the game in action. If making a printable guide, access to a computer and printer helps. For younger kids, pre-drawn templates and scissors and glue can simplify creating a neat illustrated guide.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages about 5–11. Younger children (5–7) can dictate rules and draw simple pictures with adult help, focusing on basic shapes and safety. Ages 8–11 can write clearer step-by-step instructions, add scoring and illustrations, and lead a small playtest. Adapt difficulty by simplifying rules for preschoolers or adding strategy elements and timed rounds for older kids. Supervision is recommended for children under 8 during outdoor play and when using scissors or cameras.
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for making a playground game guide?
Benefits include improving writing, sequencing, creativity, communication, and social skills through planning and playtesting. Safety tips: choose a soft, hazard-free play area; set boundaries; agree on no-pushing rules; use age-appropriate props; and have adult supervision for younger children. Variations: switch teams, add time limits, play blindfolded with a buddy, or adapt the game for indoor use with cushions. Encourage players to suggest rule twists to build problem-solving and ownership.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have colouring materials or a stapler?
If you don't have colouring materials, use cut-up colored paper, stickers, or crayons from a neighbor, and if you don't have a stapler fold the pages into a booklet or tape the spine as an alternative to the 'Use your colouring materials' and 'Fold or staple your pages' steps.
My written goal and rules sound confusing—how can we fix them?
Follow the 'Read your guide out loud and fix any words' step, shorten the goal to one clear sentence, turn long rules into four short phrases with a small illustration next to each rule, and try an 'example round' to see if players understand.
How can we adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, simplify by making the goal and each of the four rules a single short sentence with big drawings and fewer materials, and for older kids add extra rules, a scoring system in the 'Write a short example round' step, or more detailed step-by-step play instructions.
How can we extend or personalize our finished game guide?
Personalize the booklet by adding players' names and photos, include alternative rule variations on the back page, decorate the cover with your colouring materials and stickers, and then share the colored, folded guide on DIY.org as the final step suggests.