Let’s make your own Jar Game! Follow this step-by-step guide below to ideate, make, and enjoy your own Jar Game.
Materials
To begin, let’s make sure you have everything you need to get started. If you already have a Jar Game Maker Kit, then this part is going to be easy.
Maker Kit contents
Hand-bendable wire
For getting started bending your own Jar Game, we recommend using 12 gauge aluminum wire: it’s thick enough keep its shape, yet thin enough to bend by hand.
Wire-to-lid fastener
If you have Hand & Fable’s Easy-Hold Lid Mount (included in the Jar Game Maker Kit), then you’re covered, if you plan to make a came that attaches to the inside of the Jar Game Lid.
If you don’t have an Easy-Hold Lid Mount, then we recommend you to purchase the Mount part on Etsy.
If you’re interested in trying to adhere your bent-wire to the inside of the Jar Game Lid without an Easy-Hold Lid Mount, then you’ll likely need (1) some kind of mount to hold the wire securely, (2) super-glue to hold the mount to the lid, and (3) a holding-fixture to hold the wire in place while the glue dries.
Game-specific material(s)
If you have the Jar Game Maker Kit, then you’ll already have a 3/4 inch cork ball, designed for quiet play.
A game-specific material could be anything besides the wire that you already have, which can also be used as part of the game (e.g. the Jar Game Fish is commonly made with wire.
Other materials
Pen and Paper
A pen/pencil and paper is critical to ideation. Any type of notepad or scrap paper will do.
Wire Cutters
Any generic wire cutters will do.
Process Tips
Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’re ready to begin! Below is our recommended process for making a Jar Game.
1. Generate ideas
What kind of Jar Game do you want to make? One that’s already been made or something new?
Is there a theme that you want to guide your ideation (i.e. some kind of event or object to generate ideas)?
Maybe there’s a specific action you want the player to perform in order to accomplish the challenge.
Whatever gets your ideas flowing, start to identify enough ideas, so that you can pick the best ones.
2. Explore the best idea
Have some concepts that might work? Start to deepen your understanding of each idea.
We recommend you grab your pen/pencil and paper and start sketching your ideas. It can be surprising how such a simple idea can be really complex!
By exploring your ideas, you’ll soon start to figure out the idea that you want to make.
Once you’ve identified the idea that you want to build, consider making a larger drawing of it to make sure your understand each part.
3. Straighten the wire
It’s important to always straighten your wire before you start bending to reduce any unnecessary variability.
4. Determine dimensions
Now that your wire is ready, you want to make sure you’ll be bending the wire in the right place!
Holding the wire beside the jar can be a good way of estimating where you need to bend your wire.
Once you know where you’ll be making your first bend in the wire, your ready to proceed.
5. Bend then cut
We recommend bending your wire first to make sure you’re leaving enough wire to complete the piece.
Prior to bending, make sure you’re holding the wire firmly in the appropriate place. A firm hold helps ensure that the wire only bends where you want it to bend.
Once bent, confirm the bend is the right size and shape. Make any needed adjustments before proceeding.
To cut the wire, most any wire cutters should work. Prior to cutting, make sure you know where any excess wire might land, to ensure it is picked up and stored/discarded safely.
6. Make another piece
If you need to make additional pieces, return to Step 4.
If you have all the components to begin putting your game in the Jar, then proceed.
7. Put game in jar
If your game involves securing wire to the inside of the jar’s lid, then the Easy-Hold Lid Mount will be a huge help.
Steps to install your wire into the Easy-Hold Lid Mount:
(1) Press the Mount into the backside of the lid until it clicks into place.
(2) While the Mount is resting with the holes facing up, firmly press* your wire into the hold that best presents your game in the jar.
*When pressing, make sure to minimize any unintended bends to the rest of the wire by holding the wire just above where it will enter the Lid Insert.
To remove your wire from the Easy-Hold Lid for any reason, firmly press the Lid, then pull wire out with your other hand.
8. Adjust and enjoy!
Once the game is in the jar, you’ll likely notice a few things that need to be fixed. Depending on the severity of the fix, you may be able to leave the wire in the Mount.
When fixing, make sure that you secure the Mount/wire to isolate the bend.
Once the game plays well, then you’re ready to share your Jar Game with others! Congratulations on a job well done.
Inspiration
Take a look at some Jar Games that have already been made to be inspired!
Fish
Catch the fish on the hook.
Hoop
Land the ball on the hoop.
Gymnast
Dangle the Gymnast from the bar.
Share and inspire
Finishing a Jar Game is just the beginning. Now you get to share it, iterate it, and enjoy it with people you love.
Memories are made when we laugh, face challenges, and celebrate together. And if a Jar Game helps you make memories, we want to hear about it!
To ask a question, share your creation, or more, feel free to email us anytime at [email protected].