How to Make a Learning Cube Game

Children love to act out, run, skip etc. This game allows them to do that while learning the words and actions together. Variation: Learn spelling words or first words by changing the cards.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Velcro-optional
• Plastic pockets with large index cards if making the spelling cubes only
• cut out magazine pictures or photos
• scissors
• alphabet letters that are self- adhesive or felt with tracing forms
• polyester fiber fill or shredded foam
• 1 yd. 45'' wide strong fabric-duck or denim works great.
• sewing machine or sew by hand
• hot glue gun or tacky craft glue
• clear contact paper or a laminating machine

1. First cut the 1 yd. of material into two equal pieces. Stitch 3 sides of the piece on the wrong side and turn inside out. Take the polyester fiber fill and stuff until tightly packed. Another option is use shredded form. Turn the final side 1/8 in for a hem and stitch closed.

2. Using scissors cut out pictures of children from magazines, old story books or use photos of your own children and show them in 8 different gross motor poses. Standing, jumping, skipping, running, spinning in a circle, hopping on one foot, hopping on two feet, walking backwards etc.
   Laminate the pictures or cover with clear contact paper completely. Place the pictures in the plastic pockets. If you cannot find these cut up old plastic folders and glue three sides together and slip the picture in the top. Glue the plastic pockets with a hot glue gun to the 6 different sides of the cube. Using felt letters you trace and cut or self adhesive letters write the word the depicting the action of the picture and place below the corresponding picture on the cube itself. If you choose to change words use velcro to attach the letters.Also if you want it to be washable without the letters attached, or pictures just remove before washing.

3. Take the second square of material and follow the same steps as listed above. Directions how to play the game is as follows:
   1. make a circle or an area safe to play in.
   2 toss the cubes lightly in the air any given number of times and let fall when you choose.
   3 call the persons name and have them come in the safe area and do the action that is showing on the top of the cube at that time.
   4. After everyone gets a chance let another person be the cube tosser and the game continues.
   A variation of this game is to put spelling words or first words in the pockets instead of pictures and change each week. The child spells the word with their eyes shut or little ones say the word they know and match it to a toy or picture of the same from their toy box.

Tips & Warnings

• You can choose to make smaller cubes to take on trips or in the car. Just get less material and smaller index cards. The rest is the same.
• If you want the words and pictures to be permanent you can just attach to the cube after laminating or covering with contact and no plastic sleeve or index cards will be needed.
• If using the sewing machine, needles or hot glue assist any younger children who might want to be helping you.