putting check mark boxes on forms

So I  create a form in Word. It has blank lines for the user to enter things if they want and two short columns of items with checkmark boxes beside each item for the user to check if they apply. (If it matters, I design the form in Word because I'm comfortable with Word whereas I am not used to using Acrobat to design an entire form from scratch.)

I move the Word document to Acrobat and click on Produce Form. The lines are selected and turn blue (as expected), but nothing happens to the checkmark boxes. I can select and click all day, but no response.

If the boxes would become 'blue" or activated as the blank lines do, I would then password protect the entire document except for those lines and boxes. And voila -- Be done!

So, please tell me from A to Z in little not-too-technical terms what I'm doing wrong and how to do it right. If it can't be done, I'd welcome any suggestions.

Thank you in advance!