Space Explorers Board Game
Get ready to blast off into learning and movement with the Space Explorer Mission Board Game! At Tilton's Therapy for Tots, we know that the best learning happens through play.
This printable, space-themed board game is designed to be fully customizable to support your child’s developmental milestones right at home, at school, at daycare, or in your next therapy sessions. With distinct mission cards for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy, your child will practice gross motor movements, fine motor skills, and language development while navigating the galaxy!
You Will Need
The Space Explorer Mission Board Game printable (download in our app!)
Printer and standard 8.5" x 11" paper or cardstock
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils (if using the black-and-white coloring page version)
Scissors
One six-sided die
A game piece for each player (you can use buttons, coins, small toys, or pull from another board game)
How to Set Up
Print the Game: Download and print the game board and the mission cards.
Color the Galaxy: If you printed the black-and-white version, have your child color the planets, rockets, and stars. This is a great warm-up for fine motor skills!
Cut the Cards: Carefully cut out the PT, OT, and Speech mission cards. You can also print the blank card templates to write in specific therapy goals provided by your Tilton's therapist.
Create the Decks: Shuffle the mission cards in each deck and place them face down on the bottom portion of the game board.
How to Play
Prepare for Liftoff: All players place their game pieces on the START space.
Explore Space: Decide on your turn order - either roll the die and go in order from smallest number roll to largest, or decide your own rule. For your turn, roll the die and move your piece forward along the hexagonal path.
Complete Missions: If you land on a DRAW MISSION CARD space, draw a card from one of the piles! Complete the therapy task to successfully finish your mission. (Parents/guardians: feel free to guide your child or assist them with the task).
Reach the End: Players take turns rolling, moving, and completing missions. The first astronaut to successfully navigate the path and reach the END space wins the game!
Navigating the Galaxy: Special Space Rules
Watch out for cosmic events! If you land on one of these special spaces, follow the instructions below:
Asteroid Field: Navigating through these bumpy space rocks takes extra time. Lose one turn.
Black Hole: The strong gravity is pulling your spaceship backward. Move back 1 space.
The Arrow (Left-Pointing): Your navigation system got a little confused in deep space. Follow the arrow and move back 1 space.
Planet Checkpoint: You safely reached a new planet and a safe zone. Take a quick water break or take three slow, deep "space breaths" before the next player goes.
Moon Jump: The low gravity gives your astronaut a massive boost. Move forward 2 spaces.
Running Figure (Moon Dash): You need to move fast across the lunar surface. Stand up and run in place as fast as you can for 10 seconds, then take an extra turn!
