How to Make a Jeopardy Game in Google Slides: A Masterclass

So, you want to build a Jeopardy game in Google Slides? Excellent choice! It’s a surprisingly powerful and free platform to create engaging and interactive trivia games. The process is straightforward, albeit a bit detail-oriented. You’ll need a healthy dose of patience and a willingness to embrace linking and animation features. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Foundation: The Game Board Slide. Begin by crafting your familiar Jeopardy grid. Use a table (Insert > Table) with the appropriate number of rows (categories) and columns (dollar amounts). Let’s say you want a classic 6 categories and 5 dollar values. This makes a 6×5 table. Customize the table’s appearance with colors, fonts, and borders that evoke the classic Jeopardy aesthetic.
2. Populating the Categories: In the top row of your table, enter your category titles. Make them descriptive and engaging. For instance, “US Presidents,” “Ancient Rome,” “Pop Music,” “Science,” “Literature,” and “Potpourri.”
3. Creating the Dollar Values: Fill in the remaining cells with the dollar amounts: $200, $400, $600, $800, and $1000. These values represent the point values for each question. Ensure that the font and color are clearly visible.
4. Question Slides: The Heart of the Game. Now, create a new slide for each question. Each slide should contain the question (or rather, the answer, as it is in Jeopardy!), clearly displayed. In a separate text box below the question, place a smaller text box with the correct question (answer).
5. Linking it All Together: Hyperlinking is Key. This is where the magic happens. Go back to your game board slide. For each dollar amount cell, select the text inside it (e.g., “$200” under “US Presidents”). Insert a hyperlink (Insert > Link) to the corresponding question slide you created for that category and dollar amount. Do this for every cell on the board.
6. The Answer Reveal: On each question slide, add a button or shape (Insert > Shape). This button will trigger the display of the correct question (answer). The question box you had hidden will now become visible by way of animation.
7. Animation Magic: Select the question text box on the question slide. Go to “Animate” (Slide > Animate). Choose an animation effect like “Appear” when the button is clicked. This ensures the question is revealed only when you’re ready.
8. Returning to the Board: On each question slide, add another button or shape labeled “Back to Board”. Link this button back to your game board slide. This allows players to easily return to the main game board after answering a question.
9. Disabling the Question: This is CRUCIAL. Once a question has been answered, you need to prevent it from being selected again. On the game board slide, after linking the dollar value to the question, add a small shape (e.g., a colored rectangle) on top of the dollar value. Give this shape a “Appear” animation that is triggered upon a click of the shape. This will block further clicks to this dollar amount, visually signifying the question has been answered. Make the shape the same color as the background of the cell to essentially make it “disappear” after it has appeared.
10. Testing and Refining: Test your game thoroughly! Click through every link, activate every animation, and make sure everything works as intended. Adjust the appearance and animations to your liking.
11. Scoring System (Optional but Recommended): You can incorporate a scoring system by creating additional slides to track player scores. Use buttons on the question slides to add or subtract points based on whether the answer was correct or incorrect. Link these buttons to the scoring slides, updating the displayed scores accordingly.
12. Final Touches: Add sound effects (Insert > Audio, but ensure you have the rights to use the audio!) and visually appealing backgrounds to enhance the game’s experience.

FAQs: Your Jeopardy Google Slides Questions Answered

H3: 1. Can I make my Jeopardy game collaborative in Google Slides?

Absolutely! Google Slides is inherently collaborative. Share the slide deck with your players and grant them editing access. They can then participate in the game by clicking on questions and keeping track of their own scores (or having a designated scorekeeper).

H3: 2. How do I make the dollar values disappear after they’ve been clicked?

As described above, the trick is not to make the text disappear, but to create a shape on top of the dollar value cell and making that shape appear to block any additional clicks on the dollar amount, while also giving the appearance the question has been answered.

H3: 3. Can I add sound effects to my Jeopardy game?

Yes, you can add sound effects! Google Slides allows you to insert audio files (Insert > Audio). Find appropriate Jeopardy theme music, “correct answer” chimes, and “incorrect answer” buzzers to enhance the gaming experience. Be mindful of copyright restrictions and ensure you have the rights to use any audio you incorporate. You can find royalty-free sound effects on various websites.

H3: 4. What’s the best way to keep track of scores in Google Slides Jeopardy?

Create dedicated score slides for each player or team. Use text boxes to display the scores and buttons on the question slides to add or subtract points based on the answer. Link these buttons to the score slides, updating the displayed scores in real-time.

H3: 5. How can I make the game visually appealing?

Use a consistent theme throughout the presentation. Choose fonts, colors, and backgrounds that are easy on the eyes and match the Jeopardy aesthetic. Incorporate relevant images and graphics to make the game more engaging. High-quality visuals are crucial.

H3: 6. What if I want to include images or videos in my Jeopardy questions?

Google Slides supports embedding images and videos. Simply insert them onto the question slides and resize them as needed. Ensure the media is relevant to the question and doesn’t distract from the core content.

H3: 7. How do I prevent players from accidentally skipping ahead to the answer?

The key is to use animation effectively. As mentioned earlier, hide the answer text box and use an “Appear” animation triggered by a button click. This ensures that the answer is only revealed when the game master is ready.

H3: 8. Can I create a Daily Double in my Google Slides Jeopardy game?

Yes! Designate one or more questions as “Daily Doubles.” When a player selects a Daily Double, display a separate slide where they can enter their wager. Use linked buttons to adjust the player’s score accordingly, based on whether they answer correctly or incorrectly. You may have to create a series of additional slides and animations to make this work smoothly.

H3: 9. What’s the best way to organize my slides in Google Slides Jeopardy?

A clear and logical organization is essential. Start with the game board slide, followed by the question slides for each category and dollar amount. Consider using section headers to group related slides together. This will make it easier to navigate and edit your game.

H3: 10. How can I make my Google Slides Jeopardy game accessible to players with disabilities?

Use clear and concise language, large fonts, and high contrast colors. Provide alternative text descriptions for images. Ensure that the game is navigable using only a keyboard. Test the game with assistive technologies to identify and address any accessibility issues.

H3: 11. What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a Jeopardy game in Google Slides?

• Broken Links: Always double-check your hyperlinks to ensure they lead to the correct slides.
• Poor Visibility: Use fonts and colors that are easy to read on the screen.
• Overcrowded Slides: Avoid cramming too much information onto a single slide.
• Lack of Testing: Thoroughly test your game before playing it with others.
• Copyright Infringement: Avoid using copyrighted material without permission.

H3: 12. Can I sell my Google Slides Jeopardy game?

While technically you can sell anything you create, be extremely careful about copyright infringement. Selling a game based on the “Jeopardy!” format itself might be problematic. However, if you create a completely original trivia game with your own questions and content and simply use the Jeopardy grid as inspiration, you may be on safer ground. Consult with a legal professional for advice if you intend to monetize your game.

Creating a Jeopardy game in Google Slides takes time and effort, but the result is a fun and engaging way to test your knowledge or entertain others. By following these steps and addressing the common questions, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Jeopardy Google Slides master! Now go forth and trivialize!