Board games are a classic way for families and friends to unplug and get together to pass the time. Traditionally, you buy them in a customized game box with a thick folding game board as the centerpiece. Nowadays, you’ve got the added option of a roll-up game board.
But which is better? Here are some things to consider when making your decision.
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Folding Game Board vs Roll-up Game Board
There are certainly pros and cons to both. Folding game boards are usually made of cardboard, they are thicker and heavier-duty than roll-up game boards which are usually made of vinyl or laminated paper.
You can’t fold a roll-up game board for easier cleanup. If you tried to play the game on it again there would be an ugly crease keeping the board from laying down flat.
The cool thing about vinyl or laminated game boards is that it’s waterproof. If you’re playing a game with young children, they might try to sneak a drink to the table. As we all know, young children can be a little careless. One little spill on a folding cardboard game board and the surface can get bubbly and bumpy. There’s also the risk of a paper surface peeling away from the cardboard.
Space Saver
The idea of which one is better for storage is debatable. A folding game board will fit inside a boxed game much better. It stacks well in a drawer or cabinet.
But if you want to stand up a collection of fun playing boards and lean them neatly against a corner somewhere, then rolling them up might be a better option.
The point is, for some people the way they’ll be storing them is the most important factor in deciding which game board is better, and that’s different for everyone.
Simplicity of Homemade
A roll-up game board might be better if you want to save money or get creative making something homemade. You can get a poster board in many stores for less than a dollar. With this, you can recreate a classic board game on a larger scale.
You can also Google a game theme or topic and print out logos or characters to add to your board. You may even find a free printable & customizable game board that’s perfect for you, enlarge it, and print it out in pieces to paste onto a poster board.
Once you’ve finished take it to your local printing shop or find a game board manufacturer and have it laminated for long-lasting durability.
You could also make a folding game board at home. However, it would be more difficult if you decided to cut it out of a cardboard box. It’s hard to get perfectly even and identical edges. If you wanted to draw on your own game ideas you would have to stick on white paper or deal with the colors coming out darker and harder to see.
In Summary
Both folding game boards and roll-up game boards have advantages and disadvantages. Only you can decide which game board is better for you. The important thing is to keep it fun.
