Each year, Michele Piccolini, together with game designer Nils Slijkermann, take part in the Bordspel Familie-event hosted by the public library dbieb in Leeuwarden. The event is designed as an accessible, family-friendly afternoon centered around board games, creativity, and play.

During the event, the designers bring along their own games and prototypes, giving children and families a hands-on chance to see how modern board games are created. They sit at tables with young players, explain rules, demonstrate mechanics, and most importantly, play together with them. This direct interaction helps children understand that games don’t just appear on store shelves, but they are invented and refined by real people with creative ideas.

Michele and Nils talk about their work as game designers, answering questions about where ideas come from, how artwork and themes are chosen, and how a game goes from a sketch to a finished product. For many kids, it’s an inspiring first look at game design as a creative career.

They also spend time speaking with parents, sharing insights into the value of tabletop games.

The atmosphere throughout the afternoon is warm and welcoming. Families play together, discover new types of games, and enjoy meeting the designers in person. Events like this strengthen the bond between the library and the local community, showing how cultural spaces can foster creativity, learning, and joyful shared experiences through play.

2026 event: https://dbieb.op-shop.nl/9387/bordspel-familie-event/15-02-2026?disable_filter=1