backyard jenga
This jumbo Jenga project had been on my list for two years - since my husband and I played it at an outdoor bar and decided we needed a giant Jenga yard game set for our house, too.
Giant jenga (or as some might call it life size jenga) is the perfect yard game to play outside at BBQs, picnics or family get togethers!
It's a great beginner woodworking project and it's super affordable, too (less than 10!). It also makes a great gift for outdoor, BBQ and tail gating enthusiasts.
Amazon.com: Jenga Official Giant Js7
Giant Jenga involves rows of three pieces, so for our sides to line up evenly, the pieces need to be 7.5" long.
I set the metal bar guide on my saw to 7.5" from the blade and used my mark on the wood to double-check its placement before I began cutting each board.
You could technically do this part by hand with sandpaper, but it would take you until fall and then you'd miss your window for playing your giant jenga in the yard.
How To Make A Giant Jenga Like Yard Game With Carrying Case
I'm a fan of the Black&Decker Mouse. It's lightweight and has the appropriate amount of power (not too much) for a small project like this.
Because 2x3s are on the cheap end of the lumber spectrum, they'll be looking a little wonky after the cutting phase of the project:
Put on your work gloves, sand off the splinters caused by the saw blade, and get rid of any rough patches on the sides.
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It took me about half an hour to smooth all 48 pieces. They should look a little something like this when you're done:
If you're feeling artistic, you can paint the ends of your giant Jenga pieces or apply some stain, I just left mine naked like the classic Jenga game.
These are wood pieces that are going to fall on the ground when the tower tips over so I didn't feel like there was a need to make them fancy pants.
Amazon.com: Jenga Official Giant Js6
It was so nice to get this yard game crossed off my list. If only unloading the dishwasher were this cool, amirite?
Side note: you may end up making more than one set because ours has been done for less than a week and I've already gotten two requests from friends who want their own.
Even though I promise this project is easy peasy, if you are thinking "uh, can I just buy this???", the answer is: YES. Yes you can!
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More than 100, 000 readers have come here to learn how to make their own giant Jenga game since this tutorial was first published in 2015.
Each 8 foot long 2 x 3 will make 12 pieces so if you want a taller game, just cut up an extra board!
We don't recommend any more than 60 pieces because the game will get too tall to play beyond that because the height of the tower can more than double as you play.
Outdoor Jenga Stock Photos
So if you have a 48 piece giant Jenga (made with four 8 foot 2x3's), you'll have 16 rows of blocks to start.
To set up a yard Jenga game, lay three blocks, long sides touching, side by side on the ground or playing surface.
Another way to say it might be: If the first layer of blocks runs up-and-down, the next layer of blocks should run side-to-side.
How To Make A Giant Jenga Game
Once the pieces are set up, one person takes a turn by choosing a block in the stack (except from the top layer) to remove.
For their turn to be successful, they need to remove one block and place it on the top of the stack (continuing the appropriate alternating pattern) without the tower falling down for 10 seconds after being placed or until the next person begins their turn, whichever comes first.
A giant plastic tote, rectangular laundry basket or a durable bag (like an IKEA tote) are all great options for storing your giant jenga game between trips to the yard.
Best Giant Jenga Sets For Your Yard 2022 [ultimate Outdoor Game]
Paige Ronchetti is an interior decorator and blogger who writes about DIY projects, decor inspiration, and personal style over atLittle Nostalgia(blog no longer active)When she's not blogging, she's working with local clients throughThe Room Kit, her budget-friendly interior design business. Her favorite books are Harry Potter. Follow along onTwitter, Instagram, andPinterest.While we were in Austin a few weeks ago we had a fun evening out with some of the folks from BonLook. At this rooftop bar, they had a giant Jenga set. Whoa! Apparently this is a thing. But this was my first experience with a giant Jenga. It was a blast!
Trey and I immediately decided we needed to create our own set for fun backyard times at our house. You could probably guess how to make it :), but here’s how we made ours:
First, you need to buy enough 2×4 boards to cut into forty-eight 10 1/2 inch pieces. You can cut the boards yourself or have them cut at your local lumber yard. Try to avoid wood that has large knots or holes in it. Next, sand all the edges so everything is smooth and can slide easily across each other.
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Last, I painted the ends in five different colors: Grassy Meadow, Field Poppy, Safe Harbor, Panama Rose and Crumb Cookie. I went back and forth on whether to seal the wood. In the end I decided not to, because I was concerned that the surface might become less… slidable.
If you do decide to seal, also keep in mind that some sealers (like polyurethane) can change your paint colors (like tinting your whites more yellow). Although I do plan to keep my Jenga set outside plenty, I will probably store them in the garage during the seasons with a lot of moisture to keep them from warping.
This project is pretty inexpensive (especially if you substitute the wall paint for craft paints) and could make a really cute gift to a family or friend who loves outdoor games. It might not be gift season just yet… but it’s never too soon to start planning. 🙂
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After making this set we took it to Hope’s birthday party, and it was a hit. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta go dominate at some giant Jenga! xo. Emma
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