Rocky Railway VBS: File Folder Games (Matching Game & Tic-Tac-Toe)

Print these templates, then play two fun games using just one file folder! You could prepare this game for students who finish VBS activities early, or have kids make their own games as a Rocky Railway VBS craft!

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Supplies:
Printable file folder games
Card stock paper
Laminating machine
File folders {manila folders are fine/functional, but the colored folders are extra fun}
Glue sticks or glue bottles
Scissors
Paper cutter
9″x11.5″ laminating pouches (for the game pieces)
12″x18″ laminating pouches (for the folder itself)
You can also use a regular laminator and laminating sleeves – see the end of this post for details on why I’d suggest purchasing a 13″ laminator.
6×9 envelope
Optional: plastic file storage box
Optional: hanging file folders

Instructions:

Download the printable file folder games. They’re included with bundle of Rocky Railway VBS games!

Print the files on white cardstock paper. Print 1 copy of: each game board, game instructions and tic-tac-toe pieces (bible points). Print 2 copies of the train matching game pieces (bible verses).

Trim file folder: If you’re using the 12″x18″ sleeves (like I linked above), you’ll need to trim about 1/2″ off your file folder so it fits completely inside the sleeve. I trim the front flap of the file folder so it’s about 8.25″ wide.

Trim any excess from around the edges of your game board(s) and glue them to the inside of your file folder. The game board with the larger rectangle goes on the left side. The game board with 9 equal rectangles goes on the right side.

Use a permanent marker to write the name of the file folder game on the tab at the side.

Glue a 6″x9″ envelope to the front of your file folder. This will hold your game pieces. Fold the top flap down. Cut out & glue the game title graphic to the envelope on the front of your file folder.

You should be finished with everything that will permanently stay on the file folder itself. Place the entire file folder inside a 12″x18″ laminating sleeve and laminate it. I usually laminate the file folder twice – send it through once, flip it over, then send it through again {to make sure both sides are sealed really well}.

Trim any excess laminating material from around the folder. You have just laminated your 6″x9″ envelope closed {yes, this was on purpose}.  Use scissors to gently score the edge of the envelope flap and open it.

Laminate the game pieces {do not cut them out before laminating – it’s easier to just cut once after laminating}.

Use your paper cutter to cut out the game pieces you just laminated. Since this one file folder actually contains two different games, I put all the matching game pieces in a sandwich ziploc bag and store them inside the manila envelope, and do the same for the tic-tac-toe pieces. This makes it easier when we’re ready to play!

To play the matching game:
-Use the matching game instructions and the bible verse cards (as well as the plain train cars if you want to have lots of pieces).
-Lay all the pieces face down on the game board.
-Each player takes turns flipping over two game pieces. If they find a match, they get to keep it.
-The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins.

To play the train tic-tac-toe game:
-Use the tic-tac-toe instructions and the daily bible points (you should have 5 copies of two different daily bible points, so 10 game pieces total). You will only use the right side of the file folder as your game board.
-Each player starts with their 5 matching bible points.
-Take turns playing one train at a time.
-The player to get 3 of their bible points in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) wins!

I like to store my file folder games in a plastic file box with hanging folders in it. It makes the files easy to keep organized. You could just store them all in a storage box without hanging files, though!

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