Cousin Matching Game

This post is for Jill, since I heard you wanted more information about the fun little game we created at Easter. It was really so easy! Basically, we just took a picture of each cousin, printed two small copies using iPhoto, mounted them on cardboard coasters, and laminated them with clear contact paper for durability. For the game box, I found some small, square, sturdy, cardboard-type boxes as Michael's for about $2. The kids colored on them and wallah, we had our own cousin matching game!

Playing the game is actually more fun for the kids than I had imagined. Caleb made a funny face for his picture, so every time the kids turn his picture over, they burst out laughing. And they are all squeals when they turn their own picture over or get a match of a "favorite" cousin. It's really cute.

I got one set of coasters from Chilis, when I was there a few months ago. I had been thinking about making a matching game with the kids' pictures and was trying to decide if I should use cardboard, or card stock, or what. Then, I saw their coasters (the drink kind) and I thought they were perfect! Our waitress was kind enough to give me some, although I offered to pay her. She got a good tip. Then, I realized I needed more for the other families, so the next time I went out to eat, it was Olive Garden, and they gave me some of theirs! Chilis has square coasters, Olive Garden has round ones. We ended up covering the backs of the Olive Garden coasters with patterned contact paper, since there were pictures of alcohol on them. After we finished, I realized that we probably could have purchased an inexpensive matching game and just used those game pieces, adding our own pictures. However, it would probably be just as easy to use card stock. Especially if you're going to laminate them because it makes them stronger. No matter what you decide to use, you want the backs of each card to be identical so the game really works. Let me know if you decide to do it- I'd love to hear how it works for you!