WonderWorks: Playing with grids (or "Battleship" gets a more peaceful make-over)

Love the classic game of Battleship, but not the war-like content? Try this home-grown version!

Today's Topic: Grid Game "Muncha Muncha Muncha!"
Supplies:
for each pair of players, 2 blank file folders and a printed copy of this PDF (note: if you want to get fancy, you can laminate all the parts and stick velcro dots on them.  Or you can just enjoy the ephemeral nature of a paper-based game and use sticky tape.)

Book:
  Muncha! muncha! muncha! / Fleming, Candace

What the kids actually did:  first of all, kudos to the parent who suggested that we prop a book up between the two folders to help them stand up.

 secondly, this game was way too complex for 3 & 4 year olds.  Sorry guys, my bad.  BUT, I love that so many parents helped their kids to adapt the game to something that they could enjoy.  Just focusing on the "how to figure out a grid" concept or just letting their kids play around with "planting" their garden.

 Thirdly, another big thank you to the parent who gave some VERY helpful game design feedback that I immediately implemented for the afternoon class.  The PDF above has benefited directly from her suggestions!

Fourth... I was THRILLED when, the day after this game happened, one of the families came to my storytime and brought with them.... a home-made grid SECRET CODE that the kid (a 6 year old sibling of the WonderWorks participant who also attends) had developed himself after our WonderWorks class.  His mom says they hadn't ever discussed grids in school yet, but she was confident that after the WonderWorks class and this subsequent project that he has a solid grasp of the concept.  AMAZING!

Hindsight Tip:  Although very few of the kids (and not even all of the adults) could actually fully understand all of the traditional "Battleship" rules and procedures, there was still some useful learning going on.  I don't think I'll use this game again in WonderWorks, but perhaps with a slightly older school-age group it might work well?