My Birthday is in Jeopardy!

Pink and purple crepe paper adorn the walls with matching balloons. The sounds of chips being chomped on fills the room, and right behind it is the equally loud crinkling of a fresh bag of Wise. A child calls out "I'll take geography for $500!" Geography for $500? In case you didn't realize, they are playing Jeopardy!

When my grandparents were alive, I would watch this time-honored quiz show with them every week in their living room. Then, the spring I turned 13, I decided to create my own game of Jeopardy for my friends. Although it's been on the market as a game in the style of Trivial Pursuit for over a decade, creating a game with your own answers and categories is inexpensive and a lot of fun!

You'll need a standard piece of oak tag, preferably blue to match the TV version, 30 index cards (they should be colored), black marker and tape. For creating answers, a handy pocket atlas or almanac are two helpful resources.

1. On the index cards' side without lines, write down the numeric value the answers are worth. There should be six of each of the following:
$200, $400, $600, $800, $1000

2. Think of six categories you would like to see in the game. Use your resource book for answer ideas.
Hint:Geography is always a good category, because there are different levels of answers. In that regard, as the numeric value increases, so should the level of answers. A good $200 answer for Music could be: "His nickname is the King" and of course the question is "Who is Elvis Presely?"

3. Make sure the answers are age appropriate. If the participants range in age, you can create teams so that the older players don't have an advantage.

4. Write the answers on the lined side of the index card. Once this is done, tape the top of the card to the oak tag, numeric value side-up. There should be six vertical columns, five rows, with the category above each.

5. Above the columns, write at the top of the oak tag something catchy, such as "Birthday Jeopardy!" or "Jumpin' Jeopardy!" Be as creative as you want.

This can also be useful for a teacher of any level to gauge how much his or her students have learned, and to have a good time doing so!