How to Make Viking Rune Stones + 3 Fun Rune Games for Kids
Create Your Own Viking Alphabet and Play Fun Rune Games
Travel back over 1,000 years and discover the mysterious world of Viking runes! Learn what runes were used for, create your own set of Viking rune stones and try three fun games the whole family can enjoy.
What Were Viking Runes?
Long before books and notebooks were common, Vikings carved symbols called runes into stone, wood, bone and metal.
These symbols formed an alphabet known as the Younger Futhark, which was used throughout the Viking Age.
Runes could be used to:
- Leave messages
- Mark ownership
- Remember important people
- Record journeys
- Decorate objects
- Sometimes for magical or symbolic purposes
Unlike our modern alphabet, Viking runes were designed to be carved with straight lines, making them easier to cut into wood and stone.
Did you know?
The word Futhark comes from the first six runes in the alphabet, just as our word “alphabet” comes from the Greek letters alpha and beta.
Use this link to download a copy of the Furthark to help with making your Rune Stones.
Method 1: Painted Rune Stones
The most realistic option and super easy to do.
You’ll need
- Smooth pebbles
- Acrylic paint or paint pens
- Black permanent marker
- Clear varnish (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and dry your stones.
- Paint them a light colour if needed.
- Choose one rune for each stone.
- Carefully paint or draw the rune.
- Leave to dry.
- Add a coat of varnish if you’d like to use them outdoors.
Method 2: Paper Rune Stones
Perfect for classrooms or rainy afternoons and can be done with things you already have at home.
You’ll need:
- Thick card
- Scissors
- Pens
- Circular template
Simply:
- Draw circles.
- Cut them out.
- Draw one rune on each.
- Laminate if desired.
Method 3: Salt Dough Rune Stones
Probably the most fun!
Ingredients
- 1 cups (120g) plain flour
- 1/2 cup (145g) salt
- 1/2 cup (120ml) water
Instructions
- Mix everything into a dough.
- Roll into small balls.
- Flatten into stone shapes.
- Use a pencil or lolly stick to carve each rune.
- Bake at 120°C for around 2–3 hours until hard (adult supervision required).
- Paint once cool if you wish.
These look surprisingly authentic!
Rune Game 1
Viking Treasure Hunt
One of the easiest games. Hide your Viking Rune Stones around the house or garden.
Children must then find every rune, match each one to the rune chart and decode the hidden Viking message
Keep your messages simple:
- WELL DONE
- THOR
- ASGARD
- TREASURE
- VICTORY
Perfect for your Viking Trials.
Rune Game 2
Rune Memory Match
Create two sets of Viking Rune Stones. Lay them face down and then take turns turning over two stones.
For younger children, match them Rune to Rune. For a older children you can make this more challenging by trying to match the rune to the English letter equivalent
The player with the most pairs wins.
Rune Game 3
Viking Secret Messages
Write simple words using your Viking Rune Stones.
Examples:
- CAT
- SHIP
- THOR
- WOLF
Swap messages with another player. Can they decode them? Older children can write short sentences.
If you wanted to make this into a quick challenge game for multiple players, you could try racing to see who gets the answer first.
Extra Challenge
Once everyone knows a few runes…
Hide clues around the house written entirely in runes. Each clue leads to the next until children discover hidden Viking treasure! Chocolate coins work perfectly.
Extend the Learning
Want to continue your Viking adventure?
Try these activities next:
🛡️ Make a Viking Shield
⚔️ Make a Viking Sword
🚢 Build a Viking Longboat (Coming soon)
🏆 Complete the Viking Trials (Coming soon)
🃏 Battle through Norse mythology with Legends of the 9 Realms
Turn This Craft into a Complete Viking Project
Why not build on today’s activity with our printable Viking Unit Study?
Children can learn about Viking life, discover Norse mythology, complete map activities and earn their own Viking Explorer Certificate after finishing the workbook.
👉 Find the Viking Unit Study here.
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