One of my favorite games as a little girl was Tales of the Crystals. It was an interactive, role-playing game where the players have different roles but ultimately have to protect an imaginary fantasy land called Collingwood. There are fairies, sprites, talking trees and evil witches in it. Read my full review, check out the photos AND learn how to recreate this wonderful game for yourself! Any little girl or boy would love to play this game.
In the early 90’s, MiltonBradley released a fantasy game called Tales of the Crystals. To put it simply, Tales of the Crystals is an interactive game that encourages the players to use their imaginations and get outside. The game consists of various pieces that are used by the players to either set a scene/setting or to be used as “tools” to complete the game’s tasks. The best part is this – the game is based on a fantasy world called Collingwood, a land full of fairies, talking trees, evil witches, gnomes and more! It’s similar to Dungeons and Dragons but appropriate for young children and EXTREMELY imaginative!
When I was eight I received this game as a birthday gift. I was so taken with it, I would take the pieces out and imagine playing it with my friends. I remember playing it a few times with friends and cousins and LOVED it more than any other game! We would play part of the game outside and hide behind large oak trees. We always dressed up in flowy skirts or tutus when playing the game…sometimes even fairy wings.
I think the most important thing about this game to me was that it took me out of this physical world and put me into a different world altogether. Into a land where fairies, witches, and make-believe was real. It came to me at a time when my childhood wasn’t a land of fairy tales. Quite the opposite, actually. And it gave me a means of escaping and believing that life could still be magical. I am grateful this game came to me when it did and extremely grateful to the maker of the game who must have a key that opens the door to fairyland. Now I play this game with my own children and delight in the worlds we create.
Something about this game has stuck with me over the years and when I started to look for it, I learned Milton Bradley no longer makes the game. So the only way to find the game is to acquire a vintage copy. I finally found a copy on eBay recently and it’s in wonderful condition. There were a few items missing; however, my daughter and I had fun recreating those pieces. I recommend making your own version of this game and playing with your kiddos! You’re never too old to nurture your inner child and encourage their imagination.
Tales of the Crystals is difficult to find, and when they’re online they cost anywhere from fifty dollars and up. So if you don’t want to spend the cash on a vintage edition of this game, why not try recreating your own? First, you’ll need to gather tools and pieces to use in place of the original game pieces. Learn how below:
The most important part of the game is for each player (2-4 players) to choose a role and in each role the players are to wear a magic crystal. Each role’s crystal has special powers that help the player complete their tasks in character. For example, the healer has the green stone of healing which gives the ability to heal oneself and others in the game.
The leader wears the clear crystal of shimmering ice. When aimed at an enemy will freeze the enemy for one minute. The leader leads the team and decides on solutions. The leader is in charge of carrying the heart box which contains the challenge card, magic mirror, crystal packets, etc.
The protector wears the red crystal of true sight. When holding the red crystal up to your eye, the protector can see through any trickery or lies AND be able to turn an enemy into a friend for one minute.
The healer wears the green crystal of healing which gives him/her the power to heal anyone person or animal in need. It also gives him/her the ability to use the Wheel of Choices Board and the crystal jewels to settle debates or decide big decisions for the team.
The scribe wears the purple crystal of invisibility which gives him/her the ability to turn invisible or touch another person and turn them invisible for one minute. The scribe also carries a journal and pencil to record the tasks, etc.
After players have chosen a role, the 4 location banners should be set up around the house and/or in the yard. The 5 banners are: Orianna’s Glen, Secret Garden, The Village, Lady Morphia’s Castle and the Whispering Forest. We like to mix it up and use both inside and outside for our setting if the weather is nice. But it’s inevitably up to you and what you have available.
The object of the game is to complete all of the challenges on the provided tape cassette, as well as the tasks on the cards. The tape cassette (or YouTube playlist provided above) walks the players through each task and tells them when to turn off the tape, etc. making it easy for children to follow. After completing what the tape cassette directs, the players pull a card and complete that challenge too. The crystal necklaces, magic crystal powder, magic mirror, etc. are all tools the players can use to help complete each task. This game takes a lot of imagination and really pushes the players to stretch their pretend play skills! It’s so much fun!
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Mo | 27th Apr 23
For those looking for PDFs to recreate the game… Just found this link on Reddit for PDFs to all of the cards and written materials ❤️
https://web.archive.org/web/20160403000617/https://annarchive.com/TalesOfTheCrystals/
Wendy Reed | 18th Feb 23
So hoping you may be able to share some of the things you wrote on your challenge cards or maybe you know of a place to buy a pdf of the original cards? I am trying to recreate the game for my 4 daughters who played often when they were little!
Meg | 22nd Jan 23
Does anyone have a pdf of the cards to share or sell?! Thanks!
Wendy Reed | 18th Feb 23
Hi Meg. We’re you ever able to find the pdf of the cards?
Jo | 13th Nov 22
Thank you for sharing this recreation. Tales of the crystals was one of my most favorite games to play growing up. It’s nice to have this guide to help recreate that magic for my littles now .
Gregory | 9th Aug 22
I remember playing this game with my older sisters when I was a kid and loving it. Now that I have a son of my own and a few nieces and nephews, I would love to also get a copy of the fantasy cards and secret cards if you have that pdf so I can recreate this magic for them as well
Amber | 27th May 22
Can someone please send me a pdf of the cards and the secret cards?
Wendy Reed | 18th Feb 23
Hello! I was wondering if you were ever able to get the copies of the cards?
Lindsay | 25th Jan 22
Hi! Love your article! I’ve been nostalgic about my early 90s childhood recently and so glad to read this! I played it a lot back then. But I think my parents sold it in a yard sale. :/ Anyways, I’m 100% wanting to recreate it for my little girl with our own creative touches, however like others have said, those challenge cards are the difficult. Was hoping maybe either a pdf could be made or the challenges typed out so we could make the cards? TY! <3
Kate | 13th Jan 22
I’m so glad I found this post! My mom recently brought my old game for me to play with my children, and they are psyched! It’s missing the journal though, and we have no cassette player. Thanks to you, we can now enjoy the game I loved so dearly as a child.
Jossie | 29th Nov 21
The hard part is recreating the challenge cards😕 i was hoping someone would do a pdf printable for sale
krk | 30th Apr 21
just sent you an email 🙂
Wendy Reed | 10th Feb 23
Hello. I was so hoping you may still have the odd for the cards??
Hannah | 11th Aug 20
I loved this game as a little girl! I lost most of the pieces over the years, and my mother purchased me a new one when I was in college off ebay. My daughter is 5 and my son is 2. I can’t wait to share this game with them! I’m planning on laminating everything so they don’t get ripped and torn!
admin | 12th Aug 20
I too loved it! I’m glad you have a copy to play with your kiddos!
Anastasia | 14th Jul 21
Good day. I’m from Russia. I read about your game. And I liked her very much. I have a 5-year-old son, I really want to play with him. Could you tell me what other tasks are on the cards. And what they say in general terms on the cassette. Thank you
Kristin Clay | 25th Sep 21
Hey there I loved playing this game when I was little and I used to have a copy but I used it with a daycare class I worked at a long time ago and I think Left it there. So I’m going to make it for me and my daughter to play. Can u send me so pictures of the different cards and the secret cards as well I can’t seem to find them anywhere
Wendy Reed | 18th Feb 23
Hello! I was wondering if you were ever able to get the copies of the cards?
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