Government Games

Why

Cast your vote, prepare a budget, or propose a new law with this unique game! Use Model Magic® to create a board game to explore how your country’s government works.


Steps

1. With a small group of your classmates, research information about your country’s government, such as the voting process, budget setting, or the procedures needed to pass new laws. Write a list of the steps, people, and regulations involved with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. As a group, invent a game with strategy and rules that incorporate your findings.


2. On poster board, use Crayola Washable Markers to design a game board. Add all aspects of the process to the game board path, cards, or other playing pieces. Be sure to include events that might interrupt the process and make the play more challenging, such as a filibuster or constitutional challenge.


3. Use white or colored Crayola Model Magic to sculpt game tokens and any die. If you use white modeling compound, knead color from washable markers into it or paint the pieces (see step 5). Mix colors for a marbled effect if you wish.


4. You may also want to sculpt other pieces, such as a government building, which would be part of the game. Air-dry the pieces.


5. If you used white Model Magic, cover your art area with newspaper. Paint the game pieces with Crayola Washable Paint and Paint Brushes. Air-dry the paint.


6. Play your game with classmates or your family. Think how much everyone will learn about the government process you researched!


Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough With Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—

  • Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
  • Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
  • Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
  • If the arts & crafts project involves making small objects, follow the small parts/choking hazards standards: WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years."
  • The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
  • Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
  • Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient. Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic, and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Small Parts— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Adaptations

  • Find out about the student council at your school. Design a game for other students to learn about this governing body. Who can run for office? How long do they serve? What are their responsibilities?
  • Research the way your city, county, state, or province is governed. Find out how elections are held and the various government positions available. Hold a mock election to vote for your next leader.

Related Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Paint Brushes
  • Erasable Colored Pencils
  • Markers
  • Washable Kid's Paint
  • Model Magic®
  • Construction Paper
household supplies
  • posterboard
  • paper towels (optional)
  • recycled newspaper (optional)

Overview

grades

  • Grades 4 to 6
  • Grades 7 to 12

subjects

  • Social Studies
  • Visual Arts

time

  • 30 to 60 minutes
  • Multiple Sessions

benefits

  • Students research a government process (such as voting or passage of bills) and identify all the steps, including pitfalls, in its application.

  • Students design and make a board game that incorporates the information they gathered.

  • Students play the game to show what they have learned about the government process.

Cirriculum

Research Canada Standards
Research UK Standards
Research U.S. Standards