Tired of the same old board games and looking for a delightful and engaging outdoor activity? Why not bring a burst of fun to your backyard with a DIY Zigzag Game? Perfect for all ages, this game promises to not only bring joy to your family gatherings but also offers you the satisfaction of creating something unique with your own hands. By crafting this customizable game, you not only end up with a sturdy, fun addition to your outdoor entertainment options but also have the flexibility to tailor its challenge level.
DIY Backyard Zigzag Game Project
Materials Needed
- Wooden Box
- Two pieces of 5 ½ft 2×4 Boards
- Two pieces of 5 ½ft 1×8 Boards
- One piece of 2 ½ft 1×8 Board
- One piece of 2 ½ft 1×12 Board
- Ten strips of wood, approximately ½ inch wide and 28 inches long
- Plywood, slightly less than 5 ½ft in length and 28 inches in width, ½ inch thick
- For the Zigzag Handle:
- Plywood, at least 5 ½ft long
- ½″ dowel
- 1″ dowel (optional)
Tools Required
- Protective equipment: Mainly eyewear and a dust mask
- Miter saw
- Jig saw
- Drill
- Clamps
- Sander or sandpaper
- ½″ Forschner bit
- 1″ Forschner bit
- Nail gun (optional)
- Router (optional)
- Craft knife/Box knife
- Screws
- Wood Glue
- Pencil
- Paper
Finishing Supplies
- Early American Minwax Stain
- Ebony Minwax Stain
- Black Spray Paint
- Cream Acrylic Paint
- Rags
Wood Preparation
Initiate your project by organizing your materials ensuring they are correctly sized. You have the option to use a router to round the edges of 1×8 boards for a smoother feel, or simply sand them. Priority is given to sanding, notably the plywood, for a smooth finish. Note: Sanding the 2x4s is unnecessary as they will not be visible.
Creating the Top Holder
Locate the center of the 1×12 board and draw a line across it. Employ a ½″ Forschner bit to drill two holes: one 1 ½″ from the top and another 3″ from the bottom of the board. Connect these holes with a straight line, secure the board, and carefully cut along this line with your jigsaw or a coping saw. You may trim additional wood from the sides for aesthetics, making sure not to compromise the structure.
Constructing the Bottom Holder
This step is intricate; secure the 2 ½ft 1×8 board and use the 1″ Forschner bit to make a centered hole, 3″ from the middle of the board — and you’re done!
Staining
Stain your boards before assembly for ease of access and better finishing results. Apply Early American stain on most boards and Ebony on the plywood designated for the bottom of your game. For an even coat on pine, apply generously and then wipe off excess.
Assembling the Sides
After the stain dries, arrange the side boards (1x8s) and pre-drill holes for screws to prevent splitting. Attach these to the 2x4s to form two L-shaped brackets, paying attention to keep all edges aligned.
Crafting the Box
Lay the L-shaped sides on a flat surface and attach the bottom board, ensuring edges align perfectly. Remember to pre-drill holes to avoid splitting wood. Follow the same process for attaching the top, which should be removable for inserting the zigzag component.
Installation of the Bottom
Fit the plywood for the bottom with precision, ensuring a snug fit. You may have to gradually trim it. Once satisfied, secure it with screws, again pre-drilling to avoid splitting the wood.
Placing the Dividers
Now, attach the ½″ wooden slats on the bottom plywood with glue, using scrap wood as spacers for even placement. Secure each slat additionally with nails or screws, after pre-drilling.
Numbering
Add numbers along the length for scoring or challenge levels. Using stencils created from printed numbers and applying paint carefully will avoid bleeding. For any mistakes, use a matching background color to touch up.
Crafting & Cutting the Zigzag
Shape the plywood to create the zigzag pattern, drawing two curved lines and ensuring not to make the path too easy. Clamp down your plywood securely and methodically cut out your zigzag shape, taking care not to rush this step.
Attaching Dowels
For the Zigzag, cut and attach 8″ and 10″ dowel pieces at the bottom and top, respectively. Ensure to pre-drill the holes to prevent splitting.
Constructing the Handles
For handles, use dowels or flat pieces of wood, ensuring edges are rounded or sanded. Drill a hole through the middle of each dowel for attachment.
The Final Assembly
With all pieces prepared, stained, and cut, it’s now time to assemble your backyard Zigzag game. Follow the steps carefully, ensuring each part fits snugly with its corresponding piece. Attach the handles, making sure they are secure and move freely.
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