Five Star Gift Ideas

For your son who loves playing and designing board games, why not consider some thoughtful and creative gifts that foster his passion for game creation? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Board Game Design Kit: Look for a comprehensive kit that includes all the essentials for designing board games, such as blank game boards, dice, cards, and player tokens. This will provide him with the tools he needs to bring his ideas to life.

2. Game Design Books: There are fantastic books available that delve into the art and science of game design. Look for titles like "The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses" by Jesse Schell or "Challenges for Game Designers" by Brenda Brathwaite and Ian Schreiber. These books will offer valuable insights and techniques to enhance your son's skills.

3. Game Design Courses or Workshops: Enroll your son in a local game design course or workshop to further develop his skills and meet other game enthusiasts. This experience will allow him to learn from industry experts and gain hands-on experience in a collaborative environment.

4. Customized Game Pieces: Consider getting custom-made game pieces that he can use in his designs. These can range from unique meeples (miniature game figures) to custom dice or player tokens. Websites like The Game Crafter or BoardGameGeek have resources for ordering custom game components.

5. Board Game Prototyping Tools: Look for tools that will make prototyping and iterating game design concepts easier. Companies like GameSmith or The Game Crafter offer prototyping materials, such as card sleeves, blank cards, and game board templates, which will allow him to create and test his ideas more efficiently.

6. Membership to Game Designer Communities: Encourage your son to connect with other board game designers by gifting him a membership to an online game designer community, like BoardGameGeek or Tabletop Game Designer's Guild. These platforms offer a wealth of resources, forums, and opportunities to connect with fellow designers.

7. Attend a Gaming Convention: Surprise your son with tickets to a gaming convention or conference focused on board games. Events like Gen Con or Spiel are fantastic opportunities for him to immerse himself in the world of board games, get feedback on his designs, and network with industry professionals.

Remember to support your son's passion by providing encouragement and being actively engaged in discussing his game ideas. By nurturing his love for board game design, you not only give him a thoughtful gift but also help him on a path toward a potential career in the game industry.

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

Madeline Moran Weiler says about Under Lucky Stars star maps:

“The map was absolutely beautiful! My grandson was thrilled with it (it was a Christmas gift) and has already asked me if I would consider getting another one for him as a graduation gift in a couple of years.”