Any one else in need of fun indoor activity for kids (and everyone in your household) that won’t break anything or mark up the walls? Or how about a way to recycle the extra cardboard boxes from deliveries coming to your house? We transformed a large cardboard box from a recent Amazon order to a cornhole game, with tape and paint we already had on hand along with some bean bags we dug out of the garage. It didn’t cost us a dime, yet this bean bag toss game has brought a ton of fun and energy to our family.
CORNHOLE – FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Cornhole is a great, classic game for its simplicity with just a board and some bean bags. It’s also a quintessential summer activity great for the backyard or picnic in the park. Since this isn’t a “typical” summer, we wanted to bring the fun of the outdoors in. But this cornhole board can also be taken outside on a sidewalk or dry grass, or even for the next party you have in the future. It’s become a fun break in our house between school assignments in distant learning and working from home. A little friendly family rivalry is motivation and gets us all moving, providing a boost of energy and excitement in our day.
A true regulation cornhole board is 48″ x 24″ with a 6″ diameter circular opening. Our box is 34″ x 22″, so a bit smaller but every bit as fun. Plus we made our opening 7″ for a little easier play for younger (and older) players.
INDOOR PLAY VARIATIONS TO UP THE FUN
Of course you can play a civilized version of cornhole, which is polite with one player tossing at a time. But my eight-year-old son decided we should play a “knock-out” version like he plays in basketball. Each person throws as fast as they can and the first one to get all their bean bags in before the other, wins! This gets us running (and laughing) back and forth, over and over. Exercise and fun, check! We do this every day now.
MATERIALS
- Cardboard box (shown is Q2 Amazon box – 34″ x 22″ x 13.5″)
- Utility knife
- Straight edge if desired
- Hot glue gun or tape (packaging, masking or duct)
- Paint and painters tape (optional for color or design)
- Clear packaging tape (optional for smooth sliding finish on top of board)
TUTORIAL
Step 1: Find a large cardboard box. This one is 34″ x 22″ x 13.5″. Tape or hot glue one edge closed if it isn’t already. Tip: If you want a clean cardboard finish without writing or markings, cut the side seam of the box, turn inside out and re-glue or tape the seam.
Step 2: Draw line on edge of box at 10″ down from top on one side to 3-3/4″ down from top on the other. If using the same Q2 Amazon box, these dimensions will give you two cornhole games of the same size (that can nest in each other for easy storage). If using another box size, you may need to modify the dimensions to what you think works best. Use a round template (plate, bucket, etc.) around 6 to 7 inches in diameter to draw the hole on top. Tip: Regulation opening is 6″ but 7″ is less challenging.
Step 3: Use a utility knife to cut all 4 sides as you marked, using a metal straight edge or yard stick if desired.
Step 4: Carefully cut round opening out.
Step 5: Using extra cardboard, cut a strip that is about 10″ wide by 10″ high. Score cardboard horizontally at every inch or so and bend to form circular shape. Slide into opening and mark height of top of board.
Step 6: Remove inserted piece, cut along line and return to center of opening. Glue or tape into place.
Step 7: Run a line of tape down the center and circle opening for a smooth finish. Using painters tape, layout a design for color if desired.
Step 8: Paint and allow to dry completely. Remove painters tape.
Optional: If you want a slick finish so the bean bags slide easily (for that dramatic slide for the win), you can lay strips of packaging tape edge-to-edge along the top side of the board. This step is worth the extra effort.
We also used a poster (from an earlier superhero party) to cover a cornhole board instead of painting. You can see the packaging tape over the poster ensures a fast slide of the bean bags.
Grab the bean bags, it’s time to play!
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