Over the last little while, I have been teaching my 6-year-old to play checkers. She loves to play games with me and I knew it was something that could keep her occupied for long periods of time on our road trip, I just needed a way for us to be able to pass the game board back and forth between the front and back seats. I picked up a small checkers set from the dollar store, thinking I could just add magnets to the back of the game board, but it was WAY too big for the cookie sheet, so I created my own that is big enough for the game piece but small enough for a dollar store cookie sheet.
For your Travel Checkers You will Need:
- A set of checkers from the dollar store
- button size magnets
- hot glue
- the printable checkerboard found at the end of the post
- a way to laminate
- a binder pouch to keep the checkers in
- a dollar store cookie sheet
As with all of the other posts in our Travel with Kids series, this game is designed to be played on a dollar store cookie sheet. I spray painted mine turquoise and added glitter, but it isn’t necessary. Print the checkerboard on cardstock and then laminate for extra durability. I laminate everything at home with this laminator and I absolutely love it! So easy.
Hot glue a magnet on the king side of each of the checker pieces. The magnets should be strong enough to let you flip them over magnet side up if you need a king piece.
I store all of the pieces, including dry erase markers in a binder pouch in my travel basket of games. You can find my other play mats here including a free printable car map, ocean play mat, farm play mat and silly face mustache board.
How do you keep your kids busy without electronics on road trips?
Printables in this post are for personal use and available to subscribers of Housewife Eclectic only. To use this printable, please SUBSCRIBE NOW.
What a cute idea. Fun way to keep the kids busy!
Very creative! You can also print the board on adhesive paper and stick it to a metal sheet (hot plate, etc) and the magnets will stick to that!
WOW this is a great idea! I am always trying to find ways to invent fun on a road trip! I am trying to keep my kiddo from using the video games all the time. I Might try this!
I haven't introduced my kids to checkers yet, but I think it is a wonderful idea! We will try it now!
I have to totally admit, I don't keep them entertained without electronics. I fully engage in all things electronic on the road because I don't want to hear the screaming. But I do think this is a fun game for kids and I have a six year old so I'm sure he's ready to teach checkers too now as well.
thats a cute idea. i do not know how to play, but… i see cute magnets with the cookie sheet as a good traveling activity.
This is such a cute idea! It could be used for checkers and beyond. I'll have to keep this idea handy when I have kiddos someday!
Being able to store it all away is a must with car games. I know my kiddos would adore playing checkers!
I love a good game of checkers for sure. Having a printable one ready to grab is so smart!
We have only been on one road trip when my oldest was 3 years old. He was so cute he kept us entertained.
Such a cute idea! Im not sure when we will be able to take a road trip as a family but hopefully when we do I will have this handy! Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea! We take road trips between FL and MI and its hard to keep the preschooler entertained.