Board games
Snakes and ladders, ludo, chess and twister, laid as giant board games children play standing up, right on the playground.
What are board games?
Playground board games markings are giant thermoplastic versions of the board games children play at home, snakes and ladders, ludo, chess and twister, laid straight onto the tarmac at a size children play standing up. They turn the board into the pitch, so a game that usually sits on a table becomes a whole-body activity for four or five children at once. Because everyone already knows the rules, a new board is in use the moment it cools, with nothing to teach and no equipment to hand out. They are one type of playground markings we design and install.
- Enhanced DBS checkedOur installation teams are enhanced DBS checked and carry photo ID showing their DBS number.
- Guaranteed up to 4 yearsGuaranteed up to 4 years, depending on your surface.
- Designed and cut in-houseOur designs are produced and cut in-house.
Why do schools choose board games?
Games they already know
Snakes and ladders, ludo and twister need no explaining, so a new board is busy from the first break, with nobody having to run a session to get it going.
A calmer sort of play
A board game draws a small group into taking turns and thinking a move ahead, which gives the quieter children a settled spot away from the faster running games.
More play from the same tarmac
One board keeps four or five children occupied at a time, and a cluster of games turns a plain corner into a proper games area with no extra staffing.
What types of board games do we install?
Snakes and ladders, ludo, chess and twister, scaled up for the playground.
Snakes and ladders
The giant favourite, in 1 to 49, 1 to 64 and 1 to 100 boards, with the children moving across the squares as the counters.
Ludo
A full four-player ludo board about 4.5m square, good for turn-taking and counting with two to four players at a time.
Chess board (also used for draughts)
A large chequered board for chess or draughts that gives older children a slower, thinking game at break.
Twister
The classic spots grid, about 2m x 1.2m, for a noisier, whole-body game where children stretch across the colours without toppling over.
Board games: designs and guide prices
Every design in this range, 7 in all, each with a guide price you can add to a quote.
Prices exclude VAT
How do we install board games?
Survey, design, install and aftercare, and most of it is ours to do.
- 01
Survey
We look for the flatter, calmer corners of your playground, since board games work best a little away from the running and ball games, where a group can settle around a board.
- 02
Design
We draw the boards you have chosen at playground scale in their proper colours, so you can see how the snakes and ladders or ludo will sit in the space before we start.
- 03
Install
Each board is masked out and laid in thermoplastic on site. A giant snakes and ladders, or a cluster of smaller boards, is usually finished within a day.
- 04
Aftercare
The games are ready to play as soon as the thermoplastic cools. We can add more boards, or theme a set to your school, on a later visit.
What do board games cost?
A playground board game design costs from around £250 for twister up to about £999 for a 1 to 100 snakes and ladders board, with the chess board and ludo in between, fitted. These are guide prices for each design. Choosing two or three in one visit is a cost-effective way to fill a quiet corner, so we survey the playground and send a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise.
Prices exclude VAT
Payment terms and any site-dependent charges, for example an aborted visit or extra cleaning, are set out in our terms.
Get a free design and quoteWhat is the specification for board games?
The key details for board games. We confirm everything on your design drawing.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Preformed thermoplastic |
| Snakes and ladders | About 2.1m to 3m square (3D version 5m x 4m) |
| Ludo | About 4.5m square |
| Chess board | About 2.5m to 3.9m square, also used for draughts |
| Twister | About 2m x 1.2m |
| Surface | Tarmac or macadam, sound and dry |
| Install time | A day for a board or a cluster |
What do our board games look like?
A closer look at board games and designs like them on real school playgrounds.
Thinking about board games for your school? See how our process works, from a free survey to install, meet the team behind your markings, or read reviews from schools we have worked with. For directional floor and site-navigation markings we also fit wayfinding markings.
Board games: your questions answered
Which playground board games do you offer?
Popular designs include a giant snakes and ladders, because children already know it and a whole group can play at once, alongside ludo, twister and a chess board that also works for draughts. A set of two or three together makes a good games corner.
How much space do board games markings need?
It depends on the board. A snakes and ladders board is about 2.1 to 3 metres square, a ludo board about 4.5 metres square, a chess board 2.5 to 3.9 metres square and twister about 2 metres by 1.2 metres. Because they play best in a calmer spot, they are a good way to use a quieter corner that otherwise sits empty, and we plan the layout around the room you have.
Are board games markings suitable for all ages?
Yes. Snakes and ladders, ludo and twister suit children right across primary, from EYFS up to Year 6, and the chess board gives the older ones a slower thinking game. We will suggest a mix that suits the ages at your school when we design the layout.
Get a free design and quote
Tell us about your playground and we will arrange a survey, draw board games around your site and send a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise. There is no obligation. Prefer to talk it through?
0333 321 6699Thanks, that is with us
We will be in touch as soon as possible to arrange your free design and quote. If it is urgent, call 0333 321 6699.
What works well with board games?
Related services and guides schools often pair with board games.
The experts behind your markings
The people who design, price and stand behind every Uniplay installation.
Michael Jarvie
Operations Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with over 16 years' experience in the playground markings industry and masses of industry knowledge. There is very rarely a thermoplastic query he cannot resolve.
Connect on LinkedIn
Victoria Walmsley
Sales and Marketing Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with a wealth of experience across all things thermoplastic, leading sales and marketing at Uniplay.
Connect on LinkedInReady to get your playground moving?
Tell us about your space and we will send a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise. We will not be beaten on price for a like for like product.
All prices include installation, and every quote is fully itemised.
- Free design and site survey
- No obligation
- Our own in-house installation team