Jenga is a fun game involving physical skills that was created by British Leslie Scott, a board game designer, and author. This game suits all ages, but be wise when playing Jenga for the one who crumbles the pile loses the game. Although Jenga is fun to play, wouldn’t it be even more fun to have a bigger version of it for the family outdoor play?
To make a giant Jenga, you first have to purchase 2x3x8” boards and cut them into 2×3” to make giant Jenga pieces. Make 54 pieces and sand them carefully to ensure a smooth block. You can use paint, stain, or clear coating to beautify the finish of your Jenga pieces. Wait for the paint or finishing to dry, and then, enjoy your giant Jenga with your family!
In this article, we will discuss the fun game Jenga and tackle how to build an outdoor version of it for your backyard. We will also give you the steps to build its carrying crate that will serve as a storage and stand for the Jenga blocks.
One of the things that makes planning outdoor activities a bit complicated is getting the necessary materials that you need for the games that you want to enjoy. If you don’t want to go through this hassle, we have 11 backyard games that you can play without equipment that you can enjoy with very little preparation.
How to Make a Giant Jenga in a Few Steps
Kids and young-at-heart adults love to play the traditional Jenga game. But for more fun, some are seeking to make their Jenga in a giant version. The pieces of the traditional Jenga are 3/8 inches thick, 1 inch wide, and 3 inches long, while the pieces for a giant Jenga are 1.5 inches thick, 2.5 inches wide, and 7.5 inches long.
It is a great and inexpensive project if you are looking to spice up your traditional Jenga game. Besides, making a giant Jenga game is a great gift for your family and friends, making it a perfect game for any gathering.
However, if you want a bigger version than ours, you can adjust the measurements of the pieces. Our version of the giant Jenga is composed of 54 Jenga pieces, and we have also made a carrying crate that will serve as a stand. To start with the steps involved in making a giant Jenga game, you first have to gather the materials and tools.
Here are the materials you will need to make a giant Jenga game:
- 5 pieces of 2″ x 3″ x 8″ boards
- Sandpaper
- Paint or stain
For the carrying crate:
- 1 piece of 1″ x 8″ x 10′ board
- 26 pieces of 1 1/4″ wood screws
- Wood glue
- 2 drawer handles
Cut measurements:
- Cut 54 pieces of 7 ½” of Jenga block pieces out of the 2x3x8” boards
- For the carrying crate cut:
- 4 pieces of ¾” x 7 ¼” x 19 ¾”
- 2 pieces of ¾” x 7 ¼” ″ x 13”
Tools and Safety Supplies:
- Mitre saw
- Drill
- Belt sander
- Glasses
- Gloves
- Ear protection
Here are the easy steps to build your giant Jenga and its carrying crate.
Step 1: Cut the board into 54 Jenga pieces
Cut the 2x3x8 boards into 7-½-inch-long pieces. You can either manually saw the boards or use a miter saw if you have one. Mark the boards on places where you should cut them for continuous sawing work.
You can purchase the boards at your local Home Depot or any other home improvement store.
Step 2: Sand the pieces
After successfully cutting the 54 jumbo Jenga pieces, sand them individually for a smooth finish. Again, you can either manually sand the pieces or use a belt sander for a faster process.
To prevent splinters, sand each side of the block for 45 to 60 seconds for every piece. Sanding all 54 blocks could take about an hour.
Step 3: Stain or paint the pieces
For a cleaner finish, you can either stain or paint the giant Jenga pieces. Latex paint is the best type for wood pieces, and you can choose the color depending on your preference.
However, latex paint requires a whole day to dry out but doesn’t cure for a couple of weeks. So, when you use latex paint, the blocks will not stick to each other. You can apply a clear coating as well or wait for it to dry until the paint is fully cured.
Step 4: Cut the pieces for the carrying crate
Once you have made the 54 Jenga pieces, the next step consists of making a carrying crate that will also serve as a stand when playing the game. To start, cut the 1×8 board into 4 pieces measuring ¾” x 7 ¼” x19 ¾” and 2 pieces measuring ¾” x 7 ¼” ″ x 13”.
Step 5: Drill a hole in the boards
Drill holes on the board using a countersink bit or a regular drill with the size of the screw shank. The holes should be ⅜” away from the side of the board and a decent distance away from each other.
Drill countersink holes to assemble the top and bottom to the sides. On the long side of the boards, drill two holes.
Step 6: Secure with wood glue and screws
Once you have assembled the crate, add a bead of wood glue on the long sides of the board. Then, use 1 ¼” minimum screws to secure the top and bottom board to the long side of the board.
Add another bead of wood glue to both sides of the short side of the boards, and attach it to the long side and top and bottom boards. Secure the sides with 1 ¼” screws.
After securing the long and shortboards, attach the last long side of the boards using wood glue and a 1 ¼” screw to the short side and top and bottom boards. If you wish to add handles, add one on each side of the crate.
Step 7: Remove excess glue and paint the crate
Once you have assembled the crate, it is time to remove the excess glue. Once the glue is dry, sand the carrying crate for a smooth finish. Sand the top and bottom area of the crate, especially the area where you will stack the jumbo Jenga pieces.
You can paint the crate depending on your preference or leave it in its natural state. Consider adding a clear coating or staining to preserve the longevity of the pieces.
After a tedious day of making your version of giant Jenga for the family outdoor play, you can enjoy playing it the next day with your family and friends. Don’t forget to store it on the carrying crate to avoid accidents due to tripping.
If you are looking for games to enjoy with your family and have a few pool noodles lying around, we have 20 backyard games you can play with pool noodles that we are more than willing to share with you. Read our article and get ready to have some fun!
Conclusion
Jenga is one of the fun games that we usually enjoy on a table top indoors, but if you want to make this game even more exciting, you can make a giant version of it that your family can enjoy outdoors. Making your own giant Jenga is a great and fun project to do with your family and friends. It is another level of fun for it is a bigger version and a lot more exciting to play.
Just remember, when making your giant Jenga puzzle pieces, sand them carefully to prevent the skin from peeling on the rough surface of the Jenga pieces. Finally, when not in use, store the pieces in the box and keep them in a safe place to improve their longevity and avoid any hazards.
