While we were in Austin a few weeks ago we had a fun evening out with some friends. At this rooftop bar, they had a giant Jenga set. Whoa! Apparently this is a thing. But this was my first experience with a giant Jenga. It was a blast!
Trey and I immediately decided we needed to create our own set for fun backyard times at our house. You could probably guess how to make it :), but here’s how we made ours:
First, you need to buy enough 2×4 boards to cut into forty-eight 10 1/2 inch pieces. You can cut the boards yourself or have them cut at your local lumber yard. Try to avoid wood that has large knots or holes in it.
Next, sand all the edges so everything is smooth and can slide easily across each other.
Last, I painted the ends in five different colors: Grassy Meadow, Field Poppy, Safe Harbor, Panama Rose and Crumb Cookie. I went back and forth on whether to seal the wood. In the end I decided not to, because I was concerned that the surface might become less… slidable.
If you do decide to seal, also keep in mind that some sealers (like polyurethane) can change your paint colors (like tinting your whites more yellow). Although I do plan to keep my Jenga set outside plenty, I will probably store them in the garage during the seasons with a lot of moisture to keep them from warping.
This project is pretty inexpensive (especially if you substitute the wall paint for craft paints) and could make a really cute gift to a family or friend who loves outdoor games. It might not be gift season just yet… but it’s never too soon to start planning.
After making this set we took it to Hope’s birthday party, and it was a hit. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta go dominate at some giant Jenga! xo. Emma
Fantastic! Although it is better to buy the original so that all the pieces are perfectly cut and with identical size to play better.
I love the colors on the ends. What a great outdoor game!
Thank you!
I know this post is old…but to keep untreated wood waterproofed…look up “Internal Wood Stabilizer.” We’re using it on our chicken coop and it’s great for stuff like this. you can’t stain the wood once it has IWS on it (it won’t hold the stain) BUT you can paint it. Will keep your wood from warping, rotting, etc.for decades to come!
A delightful idea for any party with friends!.. And I adore rest on fresh air… but with such a game it will be unforgettable 🙂 And a great idea for a gift 😉 Thank you!!
Can you tell me what brand paint you used on this set? I love the color combo.
I spent a whole day playing Jenga at that rooftop bar in Austin. Good times!
Great idea !! we just ordered ours from www.TumblingTowers.com Looking forward to the best party ever!!! great blog and thanks for the idea 🙂
I want to make this…shouldn’t the pieces be 12inches, not 10.5?
That’s a really neat & simple idea. The colors at a great zing.
☯ Carmen
We have a set and have played it at outdoor parties. Neat because kids and adults enjoy it equally and can play together. We make a platform with cinder blocks and a board. It does get high, so we keep a step stool nearby.
I volunteered at a booth for an arts festival and we had community jenga where people wrote notes on each of the blocks they pulled out. Yours is much prettier though 🙂
www.carowhack.com
This is actually AWESOME! I want some fun garden games for my new apartment with big garden! Thanks!
We called ours ‘Deck Jenga’ using the leftover spindle pieces from building our deck, hence the name, lol. Either way same idea, but on a recycling side.
My awesome dad made me a Giant Jenga set for my birthday, although he and my mom opted to go the drinking game route and wrote rules and such on each block. Think a cross between Jenga and Sociables! It’s pretty fantastic 😀
this is cool! i love giant jenga! i go to trivia at a bar on wednesdays and they have giant jenga, it’s so much fun! theirs is not as cute as yours though, the color makes it a million times more awesome!!!
–Leeds
at this volume
You are my inspiration.
Isn’t it just the best? We made giant jenga a few years back – our jenga blocks are probably twice as big as the ones you have made.. so you can imagine the apprehension when it’s about to crumble! I love it how you have coloured the ends!!!!
This is such a great idea!
xoox,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
This looks like so much fun! There is a giant jenga set at this fun bicycle bar I go to, but I never thought to make my own set 🙂
Amia
www.teapotsandbelles.blogspot.com
this looks so fun but i’d be so scared to knock it over lol