Enjoy more family time outdoors with fun backyard games. This guide lists the supplies needed and the steps to follow when building popular outdoor games.
Want to enjoy some good old family fun at home? Spending time in your backyard is a great way to enjoy fresh air and warm weather, keep everyone entertained, and boost mental health.
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have fun outdoors. With the right supplies and ideas, you can build exciting DIY backyard games that keep your family and guests active and entertained. Read below for a few outdoor game ideas you can make at home using readily available supplies.
Craft your own DIY cornhole set with the following steps.
1. Gather supplies:
- ½-inch or ¾-inch Plywood
- 2x4s
- Table saw or circular saw
- Jigsaw or hole saw
- Screws
- Paint and paintbrush
- Loctite PL Premium MAX and Loctite Spray Adhesive Multi-Purpose
2. Cut the plywood to size: Cut the plywood into two 48x24-inch sheets. You can get this done at your local hardware store if you do not have a table saw at home.
3. Prepare the frame pieces: Use a circular saw to cut the 2x4s to match the plywood dimensions. You will need two 48-inch side pieces and 21-inch top and bottom pieces. Cut another set for the second board.
4. Assemble the frame: Put all the pieces together to get a picture of what you are building. Secure the joints using Loctite PL Premium MAX. You can use screws to reinforce the joints for a more durable build.
5. Attach the plywood to the frame: Apply a continuous 3/8-inch bead of Loctite PL Premium MAX along the frame's top surface, then attach the plywood. You can use a heavy weight to hold it in place or use several screws for reinforcement.
6. Attach the legs: Cut two 12-inch pieces from 2x4s and attach them to the inside of the frame at one end of the board. You can use Loctite PL Premium MAX and/or screws to complete the job.
7. Drill the hole: Mark the center point by measuring nine inches from the top of the board and 12 inches from the side. Draw a six-inch circle around the center, then carefully cut it out with a jigsaw. Alternatively, you can cut the hole with a 6-inch hole saw. Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper. Repeat the same procedure for the second board.
8. Add a fun finish: Use paint and a brush to apply a personalized finish. Alternatively, you can decorate the boards with suitable posters. For instance, you can download posters depicting the hole as a funny mouth opening. Print these out and stick them to the boards using Loctite Spray Adhesive Multi-Purpose.
9. Enjoy your creation: Once the boards are finished and dry, you can start practicing your cornhole skills.
Make a DIY ring toss game with these steps.
1. Get the necessary materials and tools:
- Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control and Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Repair
- ½-inch Nylon rope cut into 12-inch sections (cut them yourself or at the hardware store)
- Duct tape
- Five 7/8-inch wood dowels (choose your preferred length between five inches and 12 inches)
- Paint and paintbrush
- Scissors
- 1-inch-thick piece of plywood board (18 inches x 18 inches)
- Drill with a 7/8-inch drill bit
2. Paint the baseboard and dowels: Begin by painting the baseboard and dowels. You can use the same color finish or a variety of colors, depending on your desired outcome. Once you are finished, wait for the paint to dry completely.
Tip: You can use different colors for the dowels as part of your game’s scoring system.
3. Drill holes for the dowels: Take the square plywood baseboard and use a 7/8-inch drill bit to drill five holes (forming an “x”) for the dowels. The layout should include one hole next to each corner and one at the center.
4. Install the dowels: Apply Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control to one end of each dowel and insert them into the holes you made in the baseboard. Allow the super glue to dry completely.
5. Make the rings: Use the 12 nylon rope sections to make the game rings. Lay a piece of duct tape with the adhesive side facing up. Bring the two ends of the nylon rope together to form a loop, apply Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Repair to bond the ends, then wrap the duct tape around the joint for added strength.
Repeat this for all 12 sections.
6. Enjoy the game: Once you are finished with all the rings and the adhesives have cured completely, go outside and enjoy your new game.