Build Your Own DIY Games for Outdoors

Next, measure and cut the 2-by-4s to size for the platform base. Use deck screws to secure them together and then give the whole base a coat of exterior black paint. We used a paint and primer in one (Valspar^® New Black 4011-1).

Attach 3/4-inch plywood to the base with deck screws. Use the 3-inch-diameter PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe cap to trace a circle on the plywood. Drill a pilot hole and cut the circle out with a jigsaw.

Now you need to apply the putting surface. For this project, we used green artificial grass to give the miniature golf hole some extra personality, but you can use indoor/outdoor carpet if you prefer. Get it cut to 3-1/2 feet wide to allow for some overhang on the edges of the platform.

Thoroughly coat the surface of the plywood with outdoor-rated, heavy-duty spray adhesive. With a helper, carefully position the putting surface onto the plywood and press it down. As you work, keep the carpet as tight on the surface as possible and correct any wrinkles. Use a utility knife to cut an X into the putting surface at the hole and fold the edges into the hole. Allow the adhesive to dry and then trim the grass or carpet to the exact edge of the plywood.

Drop the pipe cap into the hole and tap it into place using a hammer and a wood block. Drill a few holes in the cap so water doesn’t collect in it.

Cut the 1-by-4s to size. They’ll act as the side barriers. Paint them to complement the putting surface. For this project, we used a pink exterior paint and primer in one (Valspar^® Cosmic Pink 1001-1A). Once they’re dry, secure the barriers to the base and putting surface with deck screws.

You can get creative with the final step: adding obstacles and extra challenges. You can use concrete edging stones or sprinkler guards. Or you can build obstacles from 2-by-4s. Switch them out to give your hole a fresh challenge each time you play.

Next, mark off the 8-foot-by-8-foot checkerboard using a tape measure, wood landscape stakes at each corner, mason string and a right angle (a carpenters square works well). Place marking flags every 12 inches along the edges to indicate where the cement pavers will go. The 32 pavers will occupy every other space, leaving grass in the neighboring squares. Before you do any digging, dry-fit the pavers to make sure the entire checkerboard is correct and perfectly square. Adjust the layout as needed and leave the pavers in place to mark where you need to dig.

Now that the area’s square and you know where each paver should go, use a square shovel and a half-moon spade to carefully remove the sod in each 1-foot-by-1-foot square. Add some sand to help level and adjust the pavers.

Now, firmly place the pavers to form your checkerboard. If a paver’s too high, gently twist it down into the sand. If it’s too low, add a bit more sand to bring it to the right height.

Now that you have your life-size board ready, it’s time to create the oversize checker pieces. Mark a circle for each of the 24 game pieces on a 1-inch-by-12-inch board. Use a 9- or 10-inch-diameter planting pot as a guide. Carefully cut each piece out with a jigsaw and sand the edges of the pieces as needed.

Give your checkers personalized style by painting them with a summer color combo. We used blue and white exterior paint and primer in one (Valspar^® Ultra White 7006-24 and Blue Tango 4007-10B). Once the paint has dried, add three gripping pads to the bottom of each of the game pieces to make it easier to pick up and move the pieces. Now you’re ready to play.

Build the frame for the base of the game with four 2-by-4s cut to length and fastened together to form a square. Cut four 20-inch legs from the 4-by-4 and attach them at the inside corners of the frame. Once the base is built, give it a coat of color with exterior paint. We used a blue paint and primer in one (Valspar^® Blue Tango 4007-10B).

Take a 24-inch-by-24-inch square sheet of 3/4-inch plywood and mark an 18-inch-diameter circle in the middle. You can make a simple compass to draw a perfect circle with a nail, string and pencil.

Cut the circle out with your jigsaw and give the top a contrasting paint color. We used a cheery yellow paint and primer in one (Valspar^® Sunny Jonquil 3010-1). Once it’s dry, screw it onto the wood base with deck screws.

Now it’s time to add a 3-foot-tall ball cage made from chicken wire or hardware cloth. It needs to sit tightly inside the opening of the base. Roll it to the size you need, trim the excess with wire cutters and secure it together with several zip ties. Then fasten it to the base using a hammer and cable staples.

Cut 15 dowels to 24-inch lengths and spray-paint them. This is another opportunity to add a variety of fun colors. Once the dowels are dry, you can position them in the ball cage and add several dozen balls to the top of the cage. Don’t forget to place a 5-gallon bucket under the hole in the base to catch the falling balls. Now you’re ready to try out your fantastic creation.