How to Improvise Boggle for Kids
The Boggle game, manufactured by Parker Brothers/Hasbro, challenges people of all ages to make words with randomly tumbled cubes. The game features 16 cubes with letters stamped on each side and a covered container with a square for each cube to sit after shaking. The object of the game is to survey the letters as quickly as possible and make as many words as you can during the allotted three minutes. Because of the educational possibilities of Boggle, varying the game for youngsters can create effective learning activities.
Instructions
Simplify the Boggle game for beginning readers. Allow children to make two-letter words, instead of instituting the traditional three-letter rule. You might also increase the time limit from three minutes to four or five, if you wish. Open the Boggle playing field by eliminating the rule that the letters must be adjacent to each other. Traditional Boggle rules state that letters must sit in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. Instead, allow children to choose letters in random spots on the grid to create words. Eliminate the standard Boggle rule that requires players to cross out words repeated by more than one player. Allow younger children to keep all words without crossing out repeated words. Institute play as usual, with a three-minute time limit. After half of the time elapses, encourage one child to choose any letter cube and flip it over to show a different letter. With the remaining time, players must go back and eliminate any words that they can no longer spell with the letter change. Players can also add new words that they can now spell with the new letter. Play a verbal Boggle game for children who have difficulty writing quickly. Instead of players making lists of words, players must take turns finding and stating new words. Use a time limit of 10 to 15 seconds. If a player cannot state a word on his turn, he̵7;s out and play passes to the next player. The game continues until one player remains. Create a category for words found on the Boggle grid. After shaking the cubes and setting up the grid, players must search only for nouns or verbs, for example. This game variation strengthens children̵7;s understanding and recognition of vocabulary. Use the ̶0;Boggle Challenge Cube,̶1; included with some Boggle games -- 1983 was the last year with the challenge cube. With the challenge cube, you replace one cube with the challenge cube prior to shaking. The challenge cube letters are ̶0;I,̶1; ̶0;K,̶1; ̶0;L,̶1; ̶0;M,̶1; ̶0;Q̶1; and ̶0;U.̶1; Play proceeds in standard fashion with the one cube featuring letters that are more challenging.
