Introduction: Save the Animals-Climbing Path Game-A Balance Board Game

By emilyma2009
About: I am a high school student from The Lawrenceville School, I'm a maker who loves blending art and technology to create fun, meaningful projects. Whether it's a gift for family, a surprise for friends, or someth…

A Balance Board Game | Eco-Education + Focus Training

Inspired by endangered species, this DIY game combines motor skills and environmental awareness. Kids control a heart-shaped ball to "rescue" animal silhouettes by lighting up their LED eyes—learning through play!

Supplies

Materials

  1. Base: Cardboard
  2. Path: Hand-drawn tree path + 10 animal cutouts (carved with a craft knife)
  3. Interactive Parts:
  4. Heart container (with a glass ball inside)
  5. Strings + rings (to hang the heart)
  6. Magnets (for switches + heart trigger)
  7. Colored LEDs, coin battery, conductive tape (Paper Circuit)
  8. Reed Switch - Magnetic Induction Switch
  9. Decor: Markers

Tools:

  1. Utility knife (for rough cutting)
  2. Precision craft knife / X-Acto knife (for fine carving)
  3. Scissors
  4. Ruler (for measurements and alignment)
  5. Pencil (for sketching and marking)


Software：AutoCAD & Fusion360

Step 1: Design the Board

  1. Find silhouette references of 10 endangered animals and large trees.
  2. Draw a tree on cardboard, surround it with endangered animal silhouettes.
  3. Draw it with AutoCAD
  4. Carve them out.


Attachments

Step 2: Circuit Magic

  1. Use conductive tape to link LEDs to the battery. Attach magnetic switches (Reed Switch) behind each animal.


Step 3: Heart Controller

  1. Glue a magnet to the back of the heart. Thread strings through rings to make it movable.


Step 4: Decorate & Playtest

  1. Tug strings to light up animals! Label names for fun quizzes.


Step 5: Why It Rocks

  1. Focus & Fun: Balancing the ball trains hand-eye coordination.
  2. Eco-Lesson: "Meet the animals we need to protect!"
  3. Bonus Q: "Can you name them all?" 😉

Let’s save wildlife, one game at a time!