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How to Make Outdoor Wood Games

Outdoor wood games are an entertaining way to relax and have fun. However, many of these games are expensive to buy, and often the low quality of the game requires frequent repair. With a few simple tools, you can build your own wood game. The most common outdoor games are cornhole and washers toss. Cornhole uses two large, wooden platforms, with a single hole at the top of each platform. Washers toss also uses two wooden platforms, but it requires three holes. Decide what game to make, acquire the tools and start building.

Things You'll Need

4-by-4-foot, 1/2-inch thick sheet of plywood
4 2-by-4-inch boards, 8 feet long each
Circular saw
Large wood screws
Measuring tape
Drill with bits
Hole saw or jig saw
Sandpaper
Latex paint

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the wood to size. For a cornhole set, cut the 4-foot-by-4-foot plywood sheet in half with a circular saw to make 2-foot-by-4-foot boards. For a washers toss, measure and cut two 3-by-1-1/2-foot rectangles. Prepare to cut the 2-by-4-foot boards as well. Cornhole requires four 4-foot pieces and four 21-inch pieces. Washers toss requires four 3-feet pieces and six 15-inch pieces.
- 2
  Assemble the frames. Once the boards are cut, make a frame out of the 2-by-4 planks. Lay the two longer pieces parallel to each other and place the shorter pieces inside the longer pieces. For the washers toss, there are three shorter pieces to ensure stability when players stand on the platform; place the middle piece six inches below the center to ensure it does not block the middle hole. Using the drill and wood screws, assemble the frame.
- 3
  Cut the holes. Official cornhole regulations require a hole 6 inches in diameter to be centered nine inches from the top and 12 inches from the side. Using a 6-inch attachment for a hole saw or a jig saw, cut out the opening. For washers toss, the holes should be 3 inches in diameter, centered at nine inches horizontally and at eight, 18 and 28 inches vertically. Cut out these holes with a hole saw or jig saw.
- 4
  Finish the platforms. Place the plywood boards on top of the frames, and screw each platform together on the sides. For cornhole, add legs on the backside of the top of the platform. The legs should fasten at a 90-degree angle to the side 2-by-4 and should be 11-5/8 long. Sand the platforms thoroughly to ensure the playing surface is smooth. Cover with two coats of latex paint. For washers toss, attach a carpet cover if desired.
- 5
  Acquire the playing tools. Washers toss requires 6 2.5-inch washers with a 1-inch hole. Cornhole requires eight square bean bags weighing 14 to 16 oz. They should measure at least 6 inches across.

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