Start by asking students to think about board games they have played before, such as Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, or Chess. Invite a few volunteers to share: What was the game? How did you learn to play it (from family, friends, or reading rules)? Why do you like this game?

Prompt a short class discussion on why board games need clear instructions:

• They make the game fair
• Help everyone understand what to do, and
• Prevent arguments.

Ask if anyone has experienced confusion from unclear rules and how it affected the game.

Write four headings on the board: Setup, Turns, If → Then Rules, How to Win.

Use Snakes & Ladders to model each one, then invite pupils to suggest other games.

• Setup: Board with start/finish, one counter per player, one die. Everyone starts on “Start.”

• Turns: Roll the die, move that many spaces, then pass the die to the next person.

• If → Then Rules: If you land on a ladder’s bottom, then climb to the top. If you land on a snake’s head, then slide to the tail.

• How to Win: First to reach the finish square wins.

Explain: these four parts make any game clear and fair. Point out the conditional thinking (the if/then surprises) and the repeating pattern (roll → move → pass) just like loops. Ask, “Where is the if in this game? What repeats every turn?”

Then try filling the same four headings for a different class-favourite game.

Now we are going to play a game similar to snakes and ladders but the rules are slightly different. Read through these rules with your class and play this game below in the next step!

Setup — A 5×5 grid with a single path from START to FINISH at opposite ends (like Snakes & Ladders). Place two counters (Teacher, Class) and one die. Use the interactive board attached in the next step on your screen.

Turn order — Teacher and Class alternate. On your turn, roll the die and move that many squares along the path.

If → Then rules —

• If BLUE, then move forward +2.

• If RED, then move back −1.

• If GREEN, then move forward +5.

• If BLACK, then move back −3.

• Otherwise, no effect.

How to win — First counter to reach FINISH wins (no exact roll required).

Put pupils in pairs or threes and give each group paper and coloured pencils. Tell them they’re designing a simple board game with a clear rule set.

1) Pick a theme.
Give 30–60 seconds to choose something fun (e.g., Space Adventure, Jungle Quest, Treasure Island, Time Travel).

2) Sketch the board.
Draw a path or grid with 20–30 spaces, marked Start → Finish. Keep squares big, arrows clear.

3) Add 3–5 “If → Then” spaces.
Balance help and challenge. Sample ideas:

• If you land on a rocket, then jump forward 3.

• If you land on a trap, then go back 2.

• If you land on a bridge, then skip to the next star.

• If you land on a whirlpool, then miss one turn.

• If you land on a spring, then roll again.

4) Write the rules (on a mini card).

• Setup: what pieces you need and where to start.

• Turns (sequence): Roll → Move → Check space → Apply rule → Pass the die.

• How to win: the first to reach Finish (exact roll or not—group decides).

5) Keep it fair and simple.
No “lose all your progress” spaces; mix positive/negative squares; use short, kid-friendly wording.

Remind them: they’re using sequencing (the turn order) and conditionals (the if→then spaces). If they want a challenge, they can add a gentle loop (e.g., “If you land on the treadmill, then move forward 1 and repeat once”).