Portable Pachisi

Portable Pachisi craft

Recreate the national game of India with beautiful colors! Take it along wherever you go.

  • 1.

    People started playing the board game Pachisi 15 centuries ago in India. People still play it all around the world. Here’s how to make a portable game.

  • 2.

    Make a playing cloth. With Crayola® Scissors, cut a large Pachisi X from sturdy fabric such as felt. Use a ruler to measure eight squares down and three across on each arm of the X. Draw the squares with Crayola Fabric Markers. Crayola® Fabric Markers stain clothing and surfaces, CLOSE ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED.

  • 3.

    Color in the squares, leaving three castle squares marked with an X on each arm: one castle in the center square on the first row and two on both outside columns on the fourth square. These castles are safe bases during the game.

  • 4.

    Draw an interesting design in the center square, which is home for all players. Add Crayola Glitter Glue to the castle Xs and as highlights for the center design. Air-dry the glue.

  • 5.

    Form playing pieces. Make small balls of marbleized Model Magic by blending white with each player’s color (red, black, green, and yellow). Poke an index finger in each ball to form a dome. Air-dry the playing pieces.

  • 6.

    Make number rollers. Pachisi is traditionally played with cowries (shells). To make number rollers, roll small coils of colored Crayola Model Magic. With a craft stick, flatten each side and the ends. Flatten tiny balls of white Model Magic. Place them on

  • 7.

    Play Pachisi! Each player sits in front of an X. Players roll for a number. The highest scorer moves one piece down from the center square along the center column. The pieces travel counterclockwise around the outside squares, returning home via an exact