Alchemy game - learning activity

This model is inspired by the popular Little Alchemy online game and apps, to propose a creative and educational pen-and-paper activity.

In the description below I explain how I adapted it as an “educational trick” for my own daughter, but you can play however you want and adapt it as you wish (upscaled version and abstract basic cards for brainstorming with a group of adults? Why not?).

To be honest, you don't really need the 3D printed stencil and box either, but they do have a purpose.

• Structured play. The stencil and box catch the attention and help kids engage with “a real game”, as opposed to "just doodling". 
• Building Routines. The game begins when the box is opened, and finishes when the cards are tidied up (and the pencils and crayons too!) and the box is closed.
• Manual Coordination. Having something physical to interact with creates a tactile experience, reinforcing focus and fine motor skills.

My daughter is in her first year of school. She is smart and imaginative, but she struggles to pay attention and focusing on tasks.

I came up with the idea of having this game to play in small bits every evening, to help her by staying concentrated on the game, while practicing the same basic tasks she does in school, just a bit “reshuffled”. 

In my household variety, the game goes like this: 

1. Cut little paper cards in either A6 or A7 format (that's an A4 divided in 4 or in 16 by folding repeatedly down the middle). The kids can do it too, but it does help if the supply of blank cards is plentiful and they are all cut right, so I opted for doing it.
2. Show the kids how to use the stencil to draw the empty guide lines on the card, it is not particularly difficult, but they have to do it right, keeping the stencil aligned, and not moving it as the lines are drawn.
3. The kids can write the name of the basic elements on top of the cards and draw their picture, basic elements are not the combination of anything, and you can choose the ones you prefer (I used Earth, Water, Air, Fire, which are the natural elements in western tradition, but you can use Earth, Water, Wood, Metal, Fire as in eastern tradition, or any other of your choice).
4. Next the kids should choose two cards to “combine”, you can discuss together what they would produce, or they may come up with a specific idea and you can see if you could “make it” with the cards you have, or maybe you have to mix more cards first to get the right “ingredients”. Take your time as you explore new concepts together, curiosity is what will keep the kids into the game.
5. Once a new card is chosen, the kids can take a blank card, prepare it with the stencil, write the new name on top, annotate on the bottom what it is "made of", and draw the picture of it. The new card is now available as a component for further combinations.

As already said, this game can be adapted to the players age and abilities, here are some possible variants:

• For Younger Kids: Keep it simple and focus on neatness, creativity, and basic combinations.
• For Older Kids or Groups: Raise the bar—encourage better drawings or introduce concepts like opposites (good/evil, big/small) for more depth and possibilities.
• For Self-Guided Play: Let kids play independently while acting as the “arbiter” to approve new cards. Add trivia or fun facts to enrich learning while maintaining a balance between guidance and autonomy.

All in all, think what your players can and cannot do (yet), think of what you want to encourage them to explore or reinforce, and have fun!

Final note on licensing (why so strict?). 

To the best of my research, Little Alchemy by Recloack Games is the original game of this type, and other similar ones came later. I do not think I am infringing on their copyright, but I do use the same base mechanic of their game, and if I got the idea of this model is because I played it first.

For this reason, for the time being I am using the most restrictive license available. Meanwhile, I reached out to them by mail asking for their view on the matter. If I do not receive any objection, my intention is to change the licensing in CC-BY-SA or even CC0, and set it free.