Have you ever wanted to make your own board game? In this post, I am going to show you how you can design your own DIY Monopoly Game. These instructions can also be used to create any other kind of board game that you would like.
Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links. This just means that we make a little money if you buy something through one of our links. It does not cost you any more to purchase an item through our links. It just helps support this blog so we can continue to bring you more content like this.
One thing that is important to note is that I use Microsoft Publisher to design board games. This is a simple program to use that many people already have on their computers. If you have Microsoft Office Suite, you should have Microsoft Publisher included. You could also use another program to design your game, but for this post, I am only showing you how to create it in Microsoft Publisher. Also, the free templates included are Microsoft Publisher files, so you will need that program in order to edit them.
If you are interested in purchasing Microsoft Office 365, you can buy it here.
Step 1: Purchase Game
In order to make your own DIY Monopoly game, you will need some sort of box, game board, and pieces to use.
When I create my own board games, I always reuse an old game. It will be helpful for you if you can find a used Monopoly game because the game board will be the correct size. Plus, you can reuse certain items in the game such as the houses and hotels.
Obviously, you don’t have to get a used Monopoly game, but it will be easier. If you don’t care if you use different items for the houses and hotels, then you could use a different old board game.
I typically buy used board games at resale stores or garage sales. You can also purchase a game from Ebay or Amazon, but it will cost you more money.
Step 2: Decide on Theme
For this DIY Monopoly game, you can customize it to whatever theme you would like!
If you don’t have a specific theme in mind, here are some ideas:
- favorite movie or TV show
- favorite book
- a certain location (i.e. city, school, area)
- family members
- places you’ve been (great idea for an anniversary gift!)
After you have chosen your theme, you will want to brainstorm what properties you want to use and if you want to change the name of any of the other items in the game. For example, when I created my Harry Potter Monopoly, I chose different locations in Harry Potter to use for my properties. I also changed the name of the chance and community chest cards. Other things I changed was the currency symbol. Then, I had to come up with the different scenarios for the chance and community chest cards. You can also change up jail and free parking. I also decided to call my houses and hotels huts and manors, but that is up to you and whatever theme you are doing.
You may end up having more ideas than you need, but you can always get rid of them later. One thing that helped me decide on the properties names was whether or not I could find a picture for that space online.
Step 3: Download Templates
If you are planning to make your own Monopoly game, you can create your own templates or use the ones I’ve created for FREE.
These templates are located in our Resource Library along with lots of other free printables you can use. If you have not signed up for our resource library yet, you can click on the picture below.
Once you sign up, you will receive an email with the link to the resource library and a password to use to access the printables. If you have already signed up, you can go ahead and check them out!
The templates use Microsoft Publisher, so you will have to have Microsoft Publisher installed on your computer in order to open them. When you click on the pictures in the resource library, the files will download as zip files. Each zip file contains a template, so you can just download the ones you are interested in. If you have trouble figuring out how to download or open the zip files, feel free to email me at jessica@nowthatsthrifty.com and I can help you.
Step 4: Download Fonts & Images
Once you have all the files downloaded, you can start editing them.
Fonts
Depending on the theme you choose for your game, you might want to download some cool fonts from the internet that you can use. For example, when I created my Harry Potter Monopoly game, I downloaded several free fonts that make it look more like Harry Potter.
You can find a lot of free fonts from these sites:
Once you download any fonts you would like, make sure you install them. Then, they will show up in the font list on Microsoft Publisher. If you need help figuring out how to install fonts, feel free to email me at jessica@nowthatsthrifty.com and I can help you out.
Images
One of the cool things about creating your own board game is making it look exactly like you want it to. It’s nice to be able to create it on a computer as well because you don’t have to be good at drawing to make it look neat.
Images can really enhance the design of your game (especially the game board). I have found that the best way to find images is to Google them.
Although, you will want to make sure that you are using images that will print clearly. The higher the resolution, the better they will look. You can refine your search results by size on Google in order to only look at larger images. Just click on tools and then the down arrow next to size. It will give you multiple options to choose from. I would suggest large.
If you are looking for an image for the background of your game board or box lid, you will want it to be as large as possible. These images will be printed big, so you want them to be as clear as possible.
Possible places that you may want images are:
- game board background
- game board spaces
- box lid
- some deed cards (utilities & trains)
- community chest & chance cards
- top of the instructions
- on the money
After you have downloaded your images and fonts, you can start editing the templates.
Step 5: Fill In the DIY Monopoly Templates
Each Monopoly template has the basic text typed out. You can replace it and change the font styles to match your theme.
If you’ve never used Microsoft Publisher before, it’s similar to Microsoft Word but easier to move around pictures and text boxes. You can add images and text boxes anywhere in the documents.
You can also move items in front of or behind other items. So, if for example, you wanted to add a background to the game board, you can insert the picture, resize it to fit, and then send it to the back.
Publisher also has the option to add guide lines to your document. These do not show up when you print but can be helpful when aligning different items in your document.
When you are editing your game, make sure to save the changes every so often so that you don’t have to start all over if the program gets shut off accidentally.
Each file also has a page at the beginning that explains what size and kind of paper to print on.
Step 6: Print & Create Your DIY Monopoly Game
Once you have all your templates filled in, you can print them. Most items can be easily printed at home. You can certainly print the game board and box lid at home as well, but you might consider having those printed professionally.
You can get step by step directions on how to put together your game by reading our instructions in our DIY Harry Potter Monopoly Game post.
What questions do you have about making your own DIY Monopoly game?
Comment down below any questions you have or any problems you have making your game.
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How much money do you print for 1 game?
Hello Cori, there’s not a set amount, but I would recommend 4 to 6 sheets of each bill.
Haven’t received the password/email for download after signing up…
Hello Melody,
We no longer require a password to our resource library, so you should be able to access it from the top of our website.
-Jessica
You cannot, it continued to make you sign up for emails to get passwords.
Hi Darcy,
We haven’t had a chance to update all of our posts yet, but the resource library is available to everyone now without a password. Just click the button at the top of our website. No need to sign up for our emails anymore.
-Jessica
Thanks so much for the templates! I will be creating our own “Sinterklaas” version as this is not sold anywhere.
That’s so awesome. We’re happy that we are able to provide this resource for you. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t received the password to the resource library . please share
Hi,
It looks like you opened our welcome email. The password is listed right inside the email in bold letters. Please let me know if you can’t find it.
-Jessica
Thank you for this template! My son needed to make a Revolutionary War Monopoly Game for his history class and these worked perfectly!
Tiffany,
We are so happy that your son found these helpful! What a cool school project.
Do you have them in any other format? You can no longer purchase publisher in Australia.
Hello Julia,
I have just added a zip file to the resource library that has templates in Microsoft PowerPoint/Word. Please let me know if these work for you. They are located underneath the Publisher templates.
Please i haven’t gotten the emails to get access to the resources. kindly check
Hello,
Did you receive the email after you left this comment? We were having some issues with our emails getting delivered, but the problem should be fixed now.
-Jessica
Waiting on password…..
Hi Sophie,
My email records show that we sent you the welcome email, but you never opened it. It’s possible that it went to your spam folder.
The resources library is asking for a password
Yes, you have to use the password that you receive in our welcome email when you sign up.
Witam. kiedy dostane dostęp do zasoboww
Czy otrzymałeś powitalną wiadomość e-mail?
Hiya, I was just wondering how long it takes to get the password for the resource library?
Hello Jess,
My records show that we sent you an email a couple hours ago, but you haven’t opened it yet. It’s possible that it ended up in your spam folder or promotions folder in Gmail.
How long does it take to get the resource information
Hi AJ,
Sorry for the delay, did you receive the resource information?
-Jessica
I signed up to be able to get the password for the resource library. I have not received the email yet. Its been several hours. Please help.
Hi Kallie,
Sorry about the wait! I just sent you an email.
-Jessica
Waiting to be confirmed….no link to download monopoly game
Hi Bridget,
Were you able to access our resource library yet?
Hello! How do I change the center Monopoly name to a custom one? Thanks!
Hi Melissa,
So the logo in the middle of the board is actually an image, so you can’t edit it. If you want your game to be called something else, I would suggest using a font such as Josefin Sans Bold. You can add a rectangle shape and then add the name on top of it. You can even add an effect to your font such as a drop shadow.
Tryed to sing, not getting confirmation email
Hi, you should receive an email from us shortly with the link and password to our resource library.
-Jessica
How do i sign in?
Hi Meric,
Did you sign up for our resource library? You should have first received a verification email that you have to click “confirm subscription” to confirm that you want to sign up. Then, you will receive a welcome email from us that has the password and link to the resource library (which can also be found at the top of our website).
Hey I can’t join, because of my Email address it doesn’t work with it..
I believe we fixed it. Did you receive an email from us?
HELLO CAN YOU SEND ME THE FILES FOR MONOPOLY ON MY E–MAIL: cvetomirfilipov2007@gmail.com
Were you not able to access our resource library? If you are having issues with the password, please email me at jessica@nowthatsthrifty.com and I can help you.
I cannot download the files it just keeps looping me back to sign up
Hello Ance,
I see your name on my email list. It says that we sent you a welcome email. This email has the link and password to the resource library. This is where all of our printables are located. You don’t need to keep clicking on the image to sign up. Please check your spam folder if you do not see the email. If you are still having trouble accessing the templates, please email me at jessica@nowthatsthrifty.com
I can’t seem to download any of the files for the board? Can you potentially email it to me? There was an error message.
Hi Edward, are you still having trouble downloading the files? Are you able to get inside the resource library? I can email the files if necessary, but I would like for you to have access to all of our printables for the future. Please reply here or email at jessica@nowthatsthrifty.com
Sorry for the trouble.
I cannot download the files it just keeps looping me back to sign up
If you are still having this issue, please email me at jessica@nowthatsthrifty.com so that I can resolve this issue for you.
Saved as a favorite, I love your web site!
Thank you!
Hii can u whatsapp the templates to me plz
0638121185
Hello, you will have to download them onto your computer because they are Microsoft Publisher files. They cannot be edited on a phone or tablet.
I can not download any of the files from the resource library could you email it to me
Did you sign up for our email? We send all of our subscribers an email with the password to the resource library. This is where you can download all of our printables.
I can’t seem to download the publisher template for the board? Can you potentially email it to me?
Yes, I can email it to you. Did you try to download it from the resource library? Was there some type of error message? Any input you can give me would be helpful, so that I can fix the problem. Thanks!