The Mouse Trap board game is a classic that has been enjoyed by families for generations. The game is simple to learn, but it can be challenging to master. In this article, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to set up the Mouse Trap board game. We will also provide some tips on how to play the game. So, whether you are a seasoned Mouse Trap veteran or a first-time player, read on to learn everything you need to know about setting up and playing this classic game.
To begin, you will need to gather all of the game components. These include the game board, the four mouse traps, the cheese wedge, the die, and the 16 marbles. Once you have all of the components, you can begin setting up the game. First, place the game board on a flat surface. Then, place the four mouse traps in the four corners of the game board.
Next, place the cheese wedge in the center of the game board. The cheese wedge is what the mice are trying to get to. Finally, place the 16 marbles in the four corners of the game board. The marbles are what the mice will use to trigger the mouse traps. Now that you have set up the game, you are ready to start playing. To play the game, one player rolls the die and moves their mouse around the game board. The player can move their mouse in any direction, but they cannot move through the mouse traps.
Gather Your Materials
To set up the Mouse Trap board game, you will need the following materials:
- 1 game board – The game board is the foundation of the game and provides the playing surface. It features a colorful and intricate design with various obstacles, traps, and pathways.
- 4 mouse movers – These small, plastic mice represent the four players and are used to navigate the game board.
- 56 space cards – These cards determine the number of spaces a player moves, and some contain special instructions or actions.
- 4 trap doors – These doors are placed on the game board and can be triggered by players to send other mice into traps.
- 1 wedge of cheese – This small piece of plastic cheese is the goal of the game and is placed in the center of the board.
- 1 bell – The bell is used to start the game and can also be used to trigger traps.
- 1 die – The die is used to determine the number of spaces a player moves.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Game board | Provides the playing surface with obstacles, traps, and pathways. |
| Mouse movers | Plastic mice representing the players, used to navigate the board. |
| Space cards | Determine the number of spaces a player moves, with some containing special actions. |
| Trap doors | Placed on the board, can be triggered to send mice into traps. |
| Wedge of cheese | The goal of the game, placed in the center of the board. |
| Bell | Used to start the game and trigger traps. |
| Die | Used to determine the number of spaces a player moves. |
Create the Base Layer
The base layer of your Mouse Trap board game is the foundation that everything else will be built upon. It’s important to make sure that it’s sturdy and level so that the game can be played fairly. To create the base layer, you will need:
- A piece of wood (at least 2 feet by 2 feet)
- A level
- A pencil
- A saw
- Wood glue
- Clamps
Instructions:
1. Cut the piece of wood to the desired size.
2. Use the level to make sure that the wood is level.
3. Mark the center of the wood with a pencil.
4. Saw the wood in half along the center mark.
5. Glue the two pieces of wood together and clamp them until the glue is dry.
6. Sand the edges of the wood to make them smooth.
Additional Notes:
The base layer of your Mouse Trap board game can be any size you want, but it’s important to make sure that it’s big enough to accommodate all of the game pieces. You can also add additional features to the base layer, such as ramps, bridges, or traps.
Once the base layer is complete, you can start building the rest of the game. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully so that everything fits together properly.
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Wood | 1 piece (at least 2 feet by 2 feet) |
| Level | 1 |
| Pencil | 1 |
| Saw | 1 |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle |
| Clamps | 2 |
Add the Cheese Pieces
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Cheese Pieces
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Prepare the cheese stack: Locate the cheese pieces and ensure they are all accounted for. The game typically includes a stack of 12 cheese pieces.
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Identify the cheese dispenser: On the game board, there will be a designated area with a hole for the cheese dispenser. This dispenser is usually located near the center of the board.
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Insert the cheese dispenser: Take the cheese dispenser and slide it into the hole on the game board. Ensure it is firmly in place and will not come out.
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Add the cheese pieces: One by one, place the cheese pieces into the top of the cheese dispenser. Gently push them down until they are stacked inside the dispenser.
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Check the dispenser: Once all the cheese pieces are added, gently shake the dispenser to ensure they are settled. The top piece of cheese should be visible through the hole.
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Close the cheese dispenser: There should be a small door or flap on the cheese dispenser. Close this door or flap to keep the cheese pieces secure.
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Prepare for game play: The cheese dispenser is now ready for game play. When a player moves their mouse to the cheese dispenser, they will press the lever to release a cheese piece.
Set Up the Traps
Once the game board is assembled, it’s time to set up the traps. The traps come in various shapes and sizes, each with its unique mechanism. Here’s a detailed guide on how to set up each trap:
The Mouse Trap
This is the iconic trap in the game. To set it up:
- Locate the metal arm with the spring and the yellow cheese wedge.
- Push the arm down until the yellow cheese wedge snaps into place.
- Position the arm so that it’s facing the direction you want the trap to trigger.
- Hold the arm in place and press down on the black lever at the base of the trap. This will lock the arm into position.
The Seesaw Trap
This trap consists of a seesaw with a small platform on one end. To set it up:
- Place the seesaw on the designated spot on the game board.
- Balance the seesaw by placing a weight (such as a coin or small object) on the platform.
- When a mouse steps on the platform, the seesaw will tip, triggering the trap.
The Bucket Trap
This trap consists of a bucket with a hinged lid. To set it up:
- Locate the bucket and the plastic mouse figure.
- Place the mouse figure inside the bucket.
- Close the lid of the bucket and make sure it’s secure.
- When a mouse steps on the trigger plate next to the bucket, the lid will open, trapping the mouse inside.
The Swinging Pendulum Trap
This trap consists of a swinging pendulum with a heavy weight at its end. To set it up:
- Locate the pendulum and the metal rod that it hangs from.
- Hang the pendulum from the rod so that it swings freely.
- Adjust the height of the pendulum so that it will swing down and hit the mouse if it walks under it.
- When a mouse walks under the pendulum, it will swing down and knock the mouse off the game board.
| Trap | Setup Instructions |
|---|---|
| Mouse Trap | Push down the arm and snap in the cheese wedge |
| Seesaw Trap | Balance the seesaw and place the weight |
| Bucket Trap | Place mouse figure in bucket and close the lid |
| Swinging Pendulum Trap | Hang pendulum from rod and adjust height |
Roll the Dice
In Mouse Trap, the game is played in turns. Each player rolls the die and moves their mouse clockwise around the board according to the number rolled. The spaces on the board are numbered 1-100. If a player lands on a space that has a trap, they must follow the instructions on the trap.
There are six different types of traps in Mouse Trap:
| Trap Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Snap Trap | The mouse is caught in a mousetrap and is removed from the game. |
| Pitfall Trap | The mouse falls into a pit and is removed from the game. |
| Cheese Trap | The mouse is lured into a trap by cheese and is removed from the game. |
| Cat Trap | The mouse is chased by a cat and is removed from the game. |
| Clock Trap | The mouse is trapped in a clock and is removed from the game. |
| Escape Trap | The mouse escapes from the game. |
If a player lands on a space that is already occupied by another mouse, the two mice switch places. If a player lands on a space that is occupied by a trap, they must follow the instructions on the trap.
The game continues until one player has successfully moved their mouse around the board 100 spaces and into the cheese wedge at the end of the board. That player wins the game.
Move the Mice
From the Starting Positions
At the start of the game, each player’s mice are positioned on the corresponding starting spaces on the board. On a player’s turn, they may move any one of their mice up to 3 spaces in any direction (orthogonal or diagonal), as long as the spaces are not occupied by another mouse or a wall.
Through Traps
If a mouse moves through a space occupied by a trap, the player must roll the die to see if the mouse is caught. If the die roll matches the number on the trap, the mouse is caught and removed from the board. If the die roll does not match the number on the trap, the mouse passes safely through the trap.
Into the Trap Door
If a mouse moves into a space occupied by a trap door, the mouse automatically falls into the trap door and is removed from the board. Trap doors are located on each side of the board, and they lead to a central space where all caught mice are placed.
Into Holes
If a mouse moves into a space occupied by a hole, the mouse is safe from being caught by traps. Holes are located throughout the board, and they provide a safe haven for mice to avoid being caught.
Around the Outside of the Board
Mice can move around the outside of the board, and they can enter or exit the board through any of the four corners of the board.
Up and Down Levels
The board has two levels, and mice can move between the levels by using the stairs located on each side of the board. Mice can move up or down the stairs at any time, as long as the space on the other side of the stairs is not occupied by another mouse or a wall.
As Fast As Possible
The goal of the game is to move all of your mice to the safety space in the center of the board as fast as possible. The first player to do so wins the game.
Capture the Mice
The object of this game is to be the first player to capture all four of their mice. To do this, you must move your mice around the board, collecting cheese and avoiding the mousetraps. When you land on a cheese, you can collect it and add it to your pile. When you land on a mousetrap, you must pay one cheese to the bank or remove one of your mice from the board.
The game ends when one player has captured all four of their mice. If no player has captured all four of their mice by the end of the game, the player with the most cheese wins.
Gameplay
To play the game, you will need the following:
- A Mouse Trap board game
- 4 mice of the same color
- 1 cheese token
- 1 mousetrap token
- Pay attention to the board. The traps are all clearly marked, so take your time and look for them before you move your mouse.
- Don’t be afraid to use the cheese wedges. Cheese wedges can be used to block the traps, making it easier to avoid them.
- Be careful when moving around the edges of the board. The edges of the board are where most of the traps are located.
- If you do get caught in a trap, don’t panic. There are ways to escape from most of the traps.
- Work together with other players. If you’re playing with other people, you can work together to avoid the traps and get your mice to the finish space.
- The first player to successfully collect five pieces of cheese and take it to his or her starting square is the winner.
- If the trap is triggered, the player loses all of their collected cheese and must return to their starting square.
- The game may also end prematurely if the board is overrun by mice. If there are no more empty holes on the board, no more moves can be made, and the player with the most cheese is the winner.
- In the case of a tie, the player who collected their cheese first is the winner.
- The game board
- The four mouse traps
- The marbles
- The cheese wedge
- The dice
To set up the game, place the cheese token in the center of the board. Place the mousetrap token on one of the four corners of the board. Each player chooses a color and places their four mice on the starting space of that color.
The youngest player goes first. On your turn, you will roll the die and move one of your mice clockwise around the board the number of spaces indicated by the die. If you land on a space with cheese, you can collect it and add it to your pile. If you land on a space with a mousetrap, you must pay one cheese to the bank or remove one of your mice from the board.
The game continues until one player has captured all four of their mice. If no player has captured all four of their mice by the end of the game, the player with the most cheese wins.
Avoid the Traps
Mouse Trap is a classic board game that’s sure to get your heart racing. The goal of the game is to be the first player to successfully move all of their mice around the board and into the finish space, without getting caught in any of the traps. There are 32 traps in total, and they’re scattered all over the board. Some of the traps are easy to avoid, while others are more difficult to spot.
Here are a few tips on how to avoid the traps in Mouse Trap:
Here are the types of Traps in Mouse Trap Board Game:
| Trap | Description |
|---|---|
| Swinging Axe | An axe that swings down from the ceiling when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
| Falling Anvil | An anvil that falls down from the ceiling when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
| Rolling Pin | A rolling pin that rolls down a ramp when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
| Cheese Trap | A trap that springs closed when a mouse steps on the trigger, trapping the mouse inside. |
| Dinomite | A trap that explodes when a mouse steps on the trigger, sending the mouse flying off the board. |
| Spiked Wall | A wall with spikes that rises up from the floor when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
| Catapult | A catapult that launches a ball at a mouse when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
| Water Trap | A trap that pours water on a mouse when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
| Fire Trap | A trap that shoots out flames when a mouse steps on the trigger. |
These are just a few of the traps in Mouse Trap. With a little practice, you’ll be able to avoid them all and get your mice to the finish space safely.
Determine the Winner
The first player to successfully collect five pieces of cheese and take it to his or her starting square is the winner. If the trap is triggered, the player loses all of their collected cheese and must return to their starting square.
The game may also end prematurely if the board is overrun by mice. If there are no more empty holes on the board, no more moves can be made, and the player with the most cheese is the winner.
In the case of a tie, the player who collected their cheese first is the winner.
Here is a more detailed explanation of the rules for determining the winner:
Here is a table summarizing the rules for determining the winner:
| Condition | Winner |
|---|---|
| First player to collect five pieces of cheese | Player who collected the cheese first |
| Trap is triggered | Player who triggered the trap loses all cheese and returns to starting square |
| Board is overrun by mice | Player with the most cheese |
| Tie | Player who collected their cheese first |
How to Set Up Mouse Trap Board Game
To set up the Mouse Trap Board Game, you will need the following:
Once you have all of the components, you can begin setting up the game. First, place the game board on a flat surface. Then, take the four mouse traps and place them in the corners of the board. Next, take the marbles and place them in the center of the board. Finally, take the cheese wedge and place it on the space in the center of the board that is marked with a mouse. The game is now ready to be played.
People Also Ask
How do you win at Mouse Trap?
To win at Mouse Trap, you must be the first player to get all of your mice to safety. To do this, you must roll the dice and move your mice around the board. When you land on a space with a mouse trap, you must try to avoid getting caught. If you get caught, you must go back to the start.
What is the point of Mouse Trap?
The point of Mouse Trap is to be the first player to get all of your mice to safety. The game is a race against time, as the mouse traps are constantly being triggered. If you are not careful, you could end up getting caught in a trap and losing the game.
Is Mouse Trap a good game?
Mouse Trap is a classic board game that has been enjoyed by children for generations. The game is simple to learn, but it can be challenging to master. Mouse Trap is a great game for families and friends to play together.
