Board games have a magical way of bringing people together, and they’re also important as living artifacts of culture. The Games Around the World Level Up Village course is all about sharing that magic across borders. But let’s be real—getting Tiny Tarantinos (ages 4–7!) to film engaging, clear videos explaining gameplay? That’s a challenge. Hey, even if your older students are incorporating a game into their videos for a different exchange to introduce themselves, practice their language skills, or just share something they’re into, it can still call for different techniques than shooting footage of their school and neighborhood. Good news: with a few simple strategies, we can set them up for success and make their videos fun, effective, and satisfactorily empowering.
1. Steady as You Go – Setting Up the Shot
Shaky, wobbly camera work is charming in its own way (think “found footage horror film” and that sort of meta-mockumentary style a la “The Office”), but for a how-to game video, stability is key. Encourage students (or their grown-ups) to use:
- A phone holder or tripod – If a tripod isn’t available, stacking books to create a stable phone stand works great.
- Overhead shots – Have them angle the camera downward for a clear view of the game board.
- Side views – A slow-moving close-up of game pieces in action makes for a dynamic shot.
If one of your Pre-K Kubricks is just too wobbly or shaky on the camera, as they likely don’t have a ton of phone use yet (we hope!), I recommend just having the uninhibited little tyke star in the video instead of working the production angle.
2. Model, Model, Model – Learning from the Pros
I’m a huge board game geek, but do you think I read the manuals? Heavens no! Do what the pros (and the noobs) do: show them kid-friendly board game unboxing or instructional videos on YouTube. The internet is home to many of these instructional clips. Young learners (and their teachers!) will benefit from examples to demonstrate:
- How to introduce a game with enthusiasm
- What kind of close-ups and angles make gameplay easy to follow
- How to explain rules in simple steps
This way, your student Spielbergs can mimic what they see, making their own videos more polished and engaging.
3. Play with Time – Slow-Mo & Time-Lapse Magic
Let’s make these videos fun to watch! Simple editing tricks can elevate them:
- Time-lapse for setup – Watching a game board come together in seconds is visually satisfying and keeps things moving. Plus, if you’ve ever been around little kids, a simple task like this could take FOR-EV-ER. Just hit record and let your Lil’ Lumieres take their time: a 4x or 8x time-lapse will transform the experience from wearying to winsome!
- Slow-motion for action shots – A game piece dramatically sliding into place? A winning move? Dice rolling? Slow it down for effect! If done well, it’ll look pretty cool. Otherwise, it’ll land somewhere between campy and humorous, and I think either will suffice!
And, before you freak out, rest assured, my colleagues: most phone cameras have built-in time-lapse and slow-mo options—no fancy editing required!
4. Keep It Short & Sweet
We’re working with tiny attention spans here! A few guidelines:
- Keep clips under one minute whenever possible.
- Encourage kids to explain one step at a time, rather than all at once. If you’ve ever had a young person talk to you at length about a subject, you know it’s a long, windy road, with many roadside attractions.
- Break gameplay explanations into smaller segments. It’ll save on the takes you have to do—and frustration on either end of the camera!
5. Speak Up! Audio Tips for Little Voices
Kids’ voices can get lost in the shuffle. Help them be heard by:
- Encouraging big, clear voices (but not shouting!).
- Avoiding filming near noisy distractions (windows, fans, chatty classmates).
- Using captions if needed to reinforce instructions.
- Recording a voiceover track directly into your device’s microphone or your fancy podcast setup. Then, you can match up audio cues to a muted video and make for a much more coherent narrative.
6. Make It a Team Effort
Collaboration makes everything easier! Let kids work in pairs or small groups:
- One child can explain while another films.
- They can take turns demonstrating different steps of the game.
- A group “let’s play” moment at the end makes for a fun finale!
Just remember that kids that age can often get upset easily, so make sure you or an aide are circling and closely monitoring so that each child has a chance to speak, hold the camera, and be a part of the action. Otherwise, it’s going to be an unscripted movie meltdown taking place on center stage!
That’s a Wrap!
With these strategies in place, your Kindergarten Cameramen will be ready to create videos that are not only adorable but also informative. By giving them the right tools and techniques, you’ll be helping them tell their story, share their culture, and develop communication skills that go beyond the game board. Just remember to take every step of the process in small pieces. Close-ups, short clips, brief but clear explanations, and small actionables for the win. And hey—if a few unexpected bloopers happen along the way? Even better. The best stories always have a little bit of chaos!
