DIY Yard Yahtzee

In the summer, I’m looking for any excuse to get my family outside. Lawn games are my favorite—we can set up in a small patch of grass and play for hours. I am always on the hunt for a new lawn game to add to my collection.

This year I supersized one of our favorite dice games and took it outside. I made a giant set of dice for just a few dollars, and instead of sitting around the table, we’re taking our game of Yahtzee out into the backyard. This giant DIY Yard Yahtzee set is quickly becoming our favorite backyard game yet! Check out the step-by-step tutorial to make your own below.

If you’re looking for more amazing games for the backyard or lawn, scroll through the slideshow for fun ideas, from Twister in the grass to giant Jenga.

How to make your own Yard Yahtzee set:

Supplies:

5 wood blocks
Woodburning Tool- Walnut Hollow Creative Versa Tool, $23.99, works so well
Circle woodburning attachment
2 Clothespins- Whitmor Natural Wood Clothespins, $6.99, are great
Wood Glue- Gorilla Wood Glue, $6, is amazing
Small clamps
Aluminum bucket- Behrens Galvanized Steel Pail, $15, is super sturdy

Instructions:

Step 1: Start by gathering your supplies. Michael’s sells wooden blocks that will make the perfect super-sized set of dice. If you can’t find them, you can always trim down a 4×4 piece of wood into five square blocks.

Step 2: Next, we need to make a template so that the dots of our dice are all in the same spot. Start by taking apart your clothespins and gluing the edges together to form a right angle. This angle will hook to the side of your wood block to help determine the distance you should imprint the dots from each corner.

Step 3: Once the glue has dried on your clothespins templates, you are ready to start making dots on your dice. Plug in your woodburning tool and let it get sufficiently hot. Place your two templates on the corner of a woodblock, and burn a circle at the corner where the two templates meet. Be very careful not to burn yourself. Woodburning tools get extremely hot.

Step 4: We are starting with the side of the dice with six dots, so continue making wood-burned dots in all four corners of this side. Then, using the clothespin template on one edge, make a dot between two of the corner dots. Continue the process on each side of the wooden block for each numbered side.

Step 5: For sides that have a dot in the center, just eyeball your woodburning tool in the center. This includes the 1, the 3, and the 5. Continue around each wooden block until you have burned all six sides of your five wooden blocks.

Step 6: Your set of Yard Yahtzee dice should now be done! And your workspace probably smells like a campfire too.

Step 7: Take your dice and place them in your aluminum bucket and you are ready to play. Standard rules of Yahtzee apply, which you can download from Hasbro. Download this handy Yahtzee scorecard to keep track of your score while you play.

More DIY Outdoor Games:

21 Kid-Friendly Games for the Backyard or Lawn

Lawn Twister

A little spray paint and your grass can become an awesome board game. Found via You + Me. Step by step instructions via Instructables.
Bocce Ball

A classic backyard game. Official Rules at In Depth Info. This beautiful set from Pottery Barn.
Badminton

Badminton can be fun with or without a net, but I am dying for this self-contained set from Zume. Official Rules at The Badminton Bible.
Ladder Golf

I made this ladder golf set a few weeks ago, and it was a big hit at our last party. See the post here on Momtastic.
Croquet

We recently found a vintage croquet set in our parents' garage and can't wait to set it up on our new lawn this summer. Official rules via 9 Wicket Croquet. This set from Hayneedle.
Cornhole

A staple of football tailgates, this game is a great addition to the backyard. DIY instructions via Home Stories A to Z.
Giant Jenga

Some 2x4s and paint take the classic tabletop game Jenga into the backyard. Just be careful little ones don't get toppled on during the game! DIY via A Beautiful Mess.
Laser Tag

It's amazing how far technology has come. Now you can play laser tag in your own yard with a pair of smartphones. AppTagHD via Hex3.
Horseshoes

The original "toss an object for points" game is still one of the best. Official rules via Livestrong.
Dodgeball

While normally played in a gym or on a basketball court, dodgeball can be easily adapted for backyard play. Official rules via International Dodgeball Association.
Super Soakers

When the temperature rises, it is time to break out the water guns. Geek Dad has an awesome roundup of all the best Super Soakers available these days.
DIY Kids Car Wash

If you want a little less water warfare, check out this awesome DIY water playset from Mom Endeavors.
Scavenger Hunt

Sometimes you don't need any equipment at all to have a good time. Send the kids on a scavenger hunt around the yard. Free printable from Hands On As We Grow.
Ring Toss

This toss game is especially great for little ones. DIY tutorial via Mom Endeavors.
Rollors

This is a fun new variation on a couple of classics. It combines the rules of horseshoes and bocce ball to make a whole new game. Get your own set from Rollors.
Kerplunk

Another great board game supersized---the kids will get a kick out of this giant ball-drop game. DIY Tutorial via All Parenting.
Spikeball

Spikeball takes the game of volleyball and compresses it down to a tiny trampoline sized net. More info via Spikeball.
BaseBoloBall

One man's awesome idea for a variation on ladder golf to combine it with the rules of baseball. DIY Instructions via Tossing Games.
Kubb

A classic Swedish game that involves tossing sticks and blocks for points. Game instructions via Master Games. DIY Tutorial via This Old House.
Soccer

With World Cup fever still going strong, every little kid will be wanting to play soccer all summer long. Make your own PVC pipe goal with instructions from This Old House.
Pipeball

Skeeball + basketball + horseshoes = tons of fun. Full tutorial from This Old House.