Five Star Gift Ideas

For your granddaughter who has a passion for board game designing, there are several thoughtful and meaningful gift ideas that can help enhance her skills and fuel her creativity. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Board Game Design Book: Consider gifting her a book or two on board game design. There are many excellent resources available that cover various aspects of game design, from conceptualization to illustration and mechanics. Look for titles such as "The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design" by Mike Selinker, "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses" by Jesse Schell, or "Challenges for Game Designers" by Brenda Brathwaite and Ian Schreiber.

2. Prototyping Materials: Encourage her creativity by providing her with the necessary tools and materials to create and prototype her own board games. Include items like blank game boards, card sleeves, dice, pawns, and colored markers. These supplies will enable her to bring her ideas to life and experiment with different game concepts.

3. Game Design Software: Introduce your granddaughter to digital game design by gifting her game design software or apps. There are various programs available that cater specifically to board game design, allowing her to digitally create and test her game mechanics. Popular options include Tabletop Simulator, The Game Crafter, or Tinkercad.

4. Game Design Workshop or Camp: Look for local game design workshops, classes, or camps designed for young enthusiasts like your granddaughter. Attending such an event will provide her with an immersive learning experience, interaction with like-minded individuals, and guidance from professional game designers. It will help her refine her skills and gain insight into the industry.

5. Board Game Expansion Packs: If your granddaughter already has some favorite board games, consider adding to her collection with expansion packs. These additional components or rule sets can give her inspiration and ideas for her own designs. It is also an excellent way to encourage her to explore different game mechanics and strategies.

6. Customized Game Design Journal: Surprise your granddaughter with a personalized game design journal that she can use to document her ideas, sketches, and playtesting sessions. You can either buy a blank journal and decorate the cover with a design that reflects her interests or have a custom-made journal with her name or a motivational quote related to game design.

7. Mentorship or Consultation: Consider reaching out to established board game designers within your local community or online and inquire if any of them offer mentorship or consultation services. If your granddaughter is serious about pursuing game design, having guidance from an experienced designer can be tremendously valuable and inspiring for her.

Remember, the key is to support and encourage your granddaughter's passion for board game designing. By providing her with the tools, resources, and opportunities to explore her creativity, you will be nurturing her talents and helping her grow as a game designer.

Or you can get her a star map with an important date you share.