Printable Quest Guide
Cardboard Rainy-Day Arcade
Create one simple tabletop arcade game from cardboard and recycled items, then test its rules like a tiny game-design studio.
- Time
- 2 Hours
- Cost
- Free
- Best for
- Family
- Location
- At Home
Your Mission
Use Cardboard Rainy-Day Arcade to turn an ordinary stretch of free time into a specific, welcoming fall adventure with a clear beginning and finish.
What You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Paper cups or paper tubes
- Tape
- Pom-poms or rolled-paper balls
- Markers
How to Do the Quest
- 1
Choose one game goal, such as landing a rolled-paper ball in a cup or guiding it through a maze.
- 2
Sketch the play area before taping anything so the path has a clear start and finish.
- 3
Build low cardboard walls and test the game using a soft rolled-paper ball.
- 4
Write three short rules that a new player can understand without help.
- 5
Invite someone else to play once and adjust one rule or obstacle based on what happens.
Quest Challenge
Can a new player understand and enjoy the game within one minute?
Pro Tip
Soft paper balls protect walls, pets, and indoor lamps better than hard balls or coins.
Safety First
Adults should handle thick cardboard cuts; keep small game pieces away from young children and play away from stairs, breakables, and pets.
Quest Complete
What would you repeat, change, or remember from Cardboard Rainy-Day Arcade?