If I jumped up right now and yelled “JENGA!” – or would you immediately recognize the catchy phrase for the game JENGA or call 911 on me?
I recently saw an outdoor version of JENGA with oversized blocks and it was the hit of the party. I even learned that there are many unofficial versions of the game such as, a JENGA drinking game version, a strip JENGA version and a Truth or Dare version, as well as many other unofficial versions. Use your imagination!
As I watched the now, almost 5-foot wooden tower topple over and the crowd cheer, I decided to write a “How-to make your own outdoor Giant JENGA game.” This is a fairly easy DIY project and can be completed in just a few hours or less with some basic power tools.
Note – falling debris hazard for small children and lap dogs!
So what is JENGA?
JENGA is a game of physical and mental skill in which players take turns removing one block at a time from a tower constructed of 54 wooden blocks.
The game starts by stacking the wood blocks to create a tower. The 54 blocks create eighteen levels of three blocks placed adjacent to each other along their long side and perpendicular to the previous level.
The goal is to build the tower as high as possible using only one hand, without making the tower tumble!
The person who built the tower gets the first move. Each player removes one block from any level, except the level below the incomplete top level of the tower. Once the block is removed it is then placed on the top level of the tower.
The game ends when the tower falls or if any piece falls from the tower other than the piece being knocked out to move to the top. The winner is the last person to successfully remove and place a block.
Leslie Scott, game designer and author, developed the original JENGA® Classic game from a wood block stacking game her family had created in Ghana in the 1970s. Introduced to the public at the famous Harrod’s department store in London in 1982, JENGA® was launched in North America in 1986, and has since become an international game icon.
JENGA is so popular that 50 million JENGA games have been sold, which is the equivalent to more than 2.7 billion JENGA blocks worldwide.
The record for the highest known JENGA® tower is 40 complete stories with two blocks into the 41st, claimed in 1985 by Robert Grebler (US).
How-to make your own outdoor Giant JENGA Game
So the plan here is to build a bigger version of JENGA, more suitable for playing outdoors on a patio or lawn.
Materials Needed
JENGA blocks should measure three times as long than it’s width, and one fifth as thick as its length. Most Giant JENGA game blocks measure 1-1/2 thick × 2-1/25 wide × 8-1/2 long.
I wanted to make larger blocks so I purchased six [8] 2×3 – 8 foot boards. I cut up six boards and save two for my paint rig. Each board will give you approximately nine [9] blocks. Once stacked, these blocks will give you a tower 26.5 inches tall.
Tools Needed
- Saw
- Sander
- Finish nails
- Hammer
- Paint – 1 pint will handle 12 blocks
- The first step for cutting is to ensure that you cut your blocks exactly the same size each and every time. I found this is best done by using a miter saw with a stop clock clamped down on the saw.
- To set the stop clock I lower the miter saw blade and measure out from the blade 8-1/2 inches. I then mark the bottom of the miter saw table with a pencil on this mark.
- Next I clamp a scrap piece of wood at the pencil mark.
- Once in place the stop clock ensures that each cut at the saw will be at the 8-1/2 mark.
- Apply wood filler to fill gaps or deep gouges. Applying wood filler into the end grain will also help seal it and allow for smoother sanding.
- I sanded my blocks using a RIDGID oscillation belt sander but you can accomplish this with a bench mounted belt sander, palm sander or orbital sander almost as quickly.
- Start out using 80 grit sand paper to knock down rough scratches and shallow gouges.
- Round over sharp edges and sand the end grain well.
- Ensure there are no sharp or jagged edges that may give players a splinter.
- Wipe down each piece to get all the dust off and you’re ready to apply a finish.
There are many types of finishes that you can apply. The most fun finishes I’ve seen are multi colored clocks of red, blue, yellow, green, orange and black.
Since this is a DIY project I suggest using up your old paint in the house, asking a friend or even buying mis-orders at the paint store. Many paint stores sell mis-ordered product at a heavily discounted price.
Note – I purchased my paint in quarts. In retrospect, pints would have sufficed.
- Procure stain, paint or spray paint.
- Glow-on-the-dark paint could make this an even more interesting and fun game!
- Paint your block the desired color[s].
- Apply 1 or more coats to desired finish.
- If using a paint brush, brush from one end to the other to avoid leaving brush lap marks.
- Sanding between coats enhances the smoothness of the finish.
DIY Tip: Whether you are brushing of spray painting your blocks taking the time to make a spin jig will make the job smoothly.
Painting Spin Jig:
- Nail one 16 penny finish nail 1/2″ inch into each end of your block.
- Span two 2×4-8’ boards approximately 12 inches apart across a pair of saw horses.
- Place your blocks in between the 2×4 boars so the nails are resting on the boards.
- Spin your block freely to paint.
- Allow time for the blocks to thoroughly dry before stacking.
Before we start playing I decided I needed a JENGA STORAGE BOX.
JENGA Storage Box
I stacked all of the blocks together to determine an appropriate size for my storage box. I wanted a strong and secure way to store the game as well as a platform to use when playing.
I made a box that could store more blocks than I needed, I was not sure if I was going to make some extra parts or not. Here were my dimensions:
[1] Bottom: 10-1/2” x 24-1/2”
[2] Ends: 10-1/2” x 12-3/4”
[2] Sides: 23” x 12-3/4”
[1] Lid: I measured and cut the lid once the box was assembled.
To make the bottom panel of the box strong I used the Festool Domino Joiner DF 500-Plus to create a slot for a floating tenon. A floating tenon, unlike traditional mortise and tenon joinery, is an insertable tenon in two opposing slots. You can also use biscuits, a traditional tongue and dado joint or finish nails.
For the sides of the box I chose to use Dominos and butt joints. Nails and glue assist in keeping all of the sides and bottom in place.
I purposely kept the two long sides and one end piece higher than the other end piece. I used a table saw to cut a ¼” inch groove to accept a 3/16 birch plywood sliding lid. This allows me to close the box and store irt dust free or even stack it vertical.
A well placed hand cut out will assist the person carrying this box. I used a Forstner drill bit to bore two side by side holes, cleaned up the cut outs with a jig saw and then rounded over the edges on both sides with a router and a round over router bit.
Sand paper finished the process.
Note: There are other tools that can accomplish these tasks as well.
JENGA Rules
- Stack all of the blocks in levels of three placed next to each other along their long sides and at a right angle to the previous level.
- Once the tower is built, the stacker moves first.
- Moving in the game JENGA consists of:
- taking one block from any level of the tower (except the one below an incomplete top level), and
- Placing it on the topmost level
- Players may use only one hand at any time.
- Players may tap a block to find a loose one. Any blocks moved but not played should be replaced, unless doing so would make the tower fall. The turn ends when the next player touches the tower, or after ten seconds, whichever occurs first.
- The game ends when the tower falls — completely or if any block falls from the tower (other than the block a player moves on a turn).
- The last player to successfully add a piece to the tower before it is knocked over is the winner. Whoever knocked over the tower has the privilege of setting up the next round.
Try Out Your Game
Now for the best part. Grab a cold drink, head out into the sun, and relax with friends and family while playing your own custom made JENGA game! This Giant JENGA gamer is great entertainment and the perfect end-of-summer party game – don’t be the guy with the boring lawn games!
Besides being a fun party game this also makes a great gift for other friends who host outdoor parties and activities.
How-To Video
