#Making a backyard jenga how to#
#Making a backyard jenga full#
#Making a backyard jenga pro#

I went with four different finishes for a mismatched look, but you can obviously do whatever you want here. Once your boards are all sanded and cleaned off, it’s time to finish them. Our other ones are much bigger and bulkier, and my arm would have been so much more tired if I had used those! We have a couple of different power sanders but I used this one for this project and I can’t imagine using anything else.

#Making a backyard jenga pro#

Oh, and pro tip: make sure you have a lightweight sander. It feels like forever at the time, but it really only took me about an hour and a half to get all of the boards completely sanded. For my blocks, I used boards that were old and weathered (they were saved from demolishing the wall in our garage and had been outside for a while, so they’re nice and rustic-looking…and needed extra sanding!). Be sure to sand all sides really thoroughly – you want the blocks to be very smooth so they can slide easily. Once you’ve got them all cut, it’s time to sand. You’ll need 54 of them for a standard Jenga game. A little research told me that the typical Jenga block is 3 times longer than it is wide – and a 2X4 board is actually 3.5″ wide, so I cut my boards to 10.5″. The first thing you’ll do is cut your blocks.

– Stain/paint in whatever colors you’d like D I R E C T I O N S : – Power sander (trust me on this, you don’t want to do this by hand)

#Making a backyard jenga how to#

– Miter saw ( learn how to use it here if you don’t know how) HOW TO MAKE GIANT BACKYARD BLOCKS M A T E R I A L S : Just find a good podcast to listen to while you sand and you’ll be good to go (I’ve been listening to Homecoming – have you heard it? So good!). These are incredibly easy to make, but a little time-consuming thanks to all of the sanding (I did it myself in about half a day). What is it with toddlers and building things just to knock them over? Jack loves blocks and something about making them mega-sized makes them way more fun to play with – plus, they make a bigger crash when they fall. I’ve been wanting to make some of these blocks for a long time – not only are they great for Jenga (which is the perfect game for family gatherings because even Jackson, our 3-year-old, understands how to play) but they’re also great for kids to just play with.

#Making a backyard jenga full#

Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Psst – If you’re looking for other DIY outdoor furniture or game ideas, look no further! Last time we talked about our DIY lawn dice (so! fun!) and today we’re going to talk about the backyard blocks we made – they’re perfect for playing Jenga! I’m back with another fun DIY lawn game for you! This is the perfect time of year to be making these guys because, while we’re still in the thick of summer, tailgate season is right around the corner! I cannot wait to host a football party and invite some friends over to try these new games with us.