Waldschattenspiel (shadows in the forest) is an enchanting German board game created in the 80's where a candle moves around the forest trying to freeze gnomes in the light. Although you can still purchase the game in Europe, I decided to make my own version of the game.
Rules:
After darkness falls across the land, light your votive candle and gather around the game board. One person plays the candle while the rest of the players pick a gnome. Randomly place the trees around the game board (casting shadows for the gnomes to hide in.) The gnomes should start behind different trees -- the objective is to get all of the gnomes behind one tree.
The candle rolls one dice and moves in one direction around the board, only changing direction at a crossroads. If a gnome is illuminiated by the candle, it's enchanted (frozen) until another gnome can rescue it. After the candle moves, the player must turn around and allow the gnomes to move in the shadows. Gnomes can only move in the darkness and cannot cross the light. If all of the gnomes are frozen, the candle wins. If all of the gnomes end up behind the same tree, the gnomes win.
To make your own version of the game you'll need the following:
Rules:
After darkness falls across the land, light your votive candle and gather around the game board. One person plays the candle while the rest of the players pick a gnome. Randomly place the trees around the game board (casting shadows for the gnomes to hide in.) The gnomes should start behind different trees -- the objective is to get all of the gnomes behind one tree.
The candle rolls one dice and moves in one direction around the board, only changing direction at a crossroads. If a gnome is illuminiated by the candle, it's enchanted (frozen) until another gnome can rescue it. After the candle moves, the player must turn around and allow the gnomes to move in the shadows. Gnomes can only move in the darkness and cannot cross the light. If all of the gnomes are frozen, the candle wins. If all of the gnomes end up behind the same tree, the gnomes win.
To make your own version of the game you'll need the following:
- 17" x 21" piece of plywood
- 1/4" luan
- Air dry clay or Sculpy
- Votive candle
- Acrylic paint
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You can make gnomes out of just about anything. Be creative! Carve them out of wood, use nuts and bolts, shape them out of Super Sculpy, make hats out of felt - whatever works best for you. I had each one of my kids make and paint their own gnome out of air dry clay.
The gnomes should be about 1.5" tall. Shape a body, head, and a hat (of course). Once they dry completely, paint them with acrylic paint.
The gnomes should be about 1.5" tall. Shape a body, head, and a hat (of course). Once they dry completely, paint them with acrylic paint.
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Nice game, great project to do with kids, could also help them not to fear the darkness anymore !!
5*