Any time of year, playing outdoors is fun. Make your own outdoor games and save money. Instead of buying commercial toys that don’t last, you can make your own with the kids and have fun.
Game One:
Pipeball
Use all those loose pieces of 2 and 3 inch PVC pipes in the garage. Ten pieces are cut and arranged similar to a bowling pin set. One pipe is in the front- it’s the shortest. Two are behind it, just to each side, they’re a little taller. Three are behind them, just a little taller, and the four tallest are in the back.
The object is to toss a tennis ball or bean bag into a specific pipe. Label each pipe with a point value. Top score wins. For specific instructions, follow this link.
Game Two:
Ricochet
If you have some scrap lumber, rubber bands, and a hollow core door laying around, this game is easy to build. Lay it on a set of sawhorses for ease of mobility.
For added versatility, paint game boards on the other side- chess, backgammon, etc. Flip the game board over and have even more fun.
Follow this link to build this easy game.
Game Three:
Soccer Goal
Interest in soccer is growing, and playing at home is fun. Follow this link to build an inexpensive and lightweight soccer goal from PVC pipe. Perhaps you have leftover material from a plumbing job, or a friend does?
Paint, stain or dye your goal to match your favorite team’s colors.
Game Four:
Custom Miniature Golf Course
For golfing fans everywhere, this game features panels you can re-arrange in as many ways as you like to create an ever-changing golf course. Play one, two or eighteen holes, all different.
Pack it up and take it on vacation with you. The plans are listed at this link.
Game Five:
Ladder Golf
This game seems to have more than one name, but under any name it’s growing in popularity.
Two golf balls are joined by a cord to make a bola. The bola is tossed at a ladder, each rung of which is assessed a point value. Try to get all your bolas on the high point rungs while knocking your opponents off.
Follow this link for an easy plan to build this game. No batteries needed.
Game Six:
Cornhole, or Bean Bag Toss
Using scrap lumber, plywood and bean bags, create a cornhole game that everyone can enjoy. The trick is simple: toss a bean bag through the hole(s) for points. The hard part- you’re holding a drink (tea, soda, etc.) in the other hand.
Follow this link to build this fun game. See if your aim is true without spilling a drop.
Game Seven:
Kubb (Viking Chess)
This game is more than a thousand years old, and still going strong. Knock your opponents pieces over with a stick. You’ll be using a short dowel, and the pieces are made from scrap 4-by-4’s.
For small children, use milk cartons and lightweight pieces of foam. Stray dowels can knock shins and knees.
It’s far harder to play than it looks. Here’s the link to build your own game.
Game Eight:
Water Rocket
Using PVC, leftover plastic soda bottles and a little scrap lumber, build rockets that fly by compressing air with a bicycle pump. Winner flies highest, longest, shortest rocket, etc.
These rockets are going to fly high, so choose a field you can have fun in. A crowded park with nearby streets isn’t the best choice. A neighborhood with backyards and dogs who might not want to return your rocket(s) isn’t, either.
This won’t start any fires, because it doesn’t burn any fuel. Follow this link for the plans.
Game Nine:
Shishkaball
This is a take on commercial games like “Jenga” and “Ker-plunk.” Played outside with children and adults, it’s just plain fun. Build this in less than an afternoon from common materials.
Plastic balls are placed inside a wire cage through lots and lots of dowels (wood or PVC) are stuck. The balls are held in place by the sticks. Each player pulls out a stick without dropping a ball or more.
The whole game won’t cost $50 to build and stock. Have fun to see who can collect the most sticks without dropping any balls.
Follow this link to build your game.
Game Ten:
Not your ordinary game. Lay out lengths of rope to create your game board. Toss bean bags marked “X” or “O” and toss to the spot you need. Carefull, though. You can’t land on someone else’s spot.
Other games are just as easy. Instead of playing marbles with tiny glass balls, make a circle with the rope and play with 3-inch plastic balls. Smaller children will love playing this game. Get teams together to try to take the other teams colors out of the circle.
There’s another beauty to these games. When the weather is bad, most can come inside and play. I’d stick with the milk carton Kubb inside the house.
These games involve skill, dexterity and strategy. It’s a great way for kids of all ages to learn and have fun at the same time.
None of these games, with the possible exception of the golf course, should cost more than $50 to build at most.
Source: Staff Article, “13 DIY Backyard Games and Play Structures,” This Old House Website, no date given
Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse forms of DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects and more.
