DIY Summer Backyard Games

Summer is here and I wanted to create games that both kids and adults are able to enjoy! I decided to make giant dominoes and Jenga to add some fun to the backyard oasis I created a few weeks ago!

After cutting 26 pieces of lumber for the dominoes, I set my table saw blade to a shallow depth (about ? inch give or take) and ran the domino through to create a seamless center line.

I created a template so I can have consistent circles for all the dominoes, and used my Makita Die Grinder with a RYOBI Rotary Tool Sphere Burr attachment to carve out circles. You can always opt to fill them in with paint, stain, a sharpie, or even stickers in lieu of using the die grinder.

I stained the holes and lines with Aged Walnut Wood Stain, and promptly removed any excess stain from the dominoes with a damp paper towel (or baby wipe). I let the stain dry, and if there were stain spots still visible, I sanded again with sandpaper Orbital Sanding Disc and removed the sawdust with a damp paper towel.

I decided to seal the dominoes with exterior grade sealant since it'll be outdoors for the majority of the summer.

For the Jenga, I cut down 52 2x4's down to 10.25 inches and sanded them smooth with an DEWALT Orbital Sander. So easy!

With a little work, I managed to create amazing backyard games that I know my family will enjoy for years to come! Pair it up with a BBQ, and you have an instant party!