This is a little project I have wanted to tackle for quite some time. On many of our camping trips we have seen other campers playing a round of cornhole–with boards that ranged from the lightweight plastic ones to personalized, but hefty, wood ones. (Did you know there is an entire association devoted to the cornhole past time? Neither did I.)
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Although there are a whole host of websites, blogs, etc., that offer directions and how-to’s for building cornhole boards, I wanted to make three modifications to the traditional boards.
My three modifications are:
- designing boards that will fasten together so that they can be stored more compactly in the camper;
- making holes that are slightly larger than “regulation” so that it is easier for our young kiddos to get the bean bag in the hole;
- reducing the board slope.
Supplies:
- Two 2′ x 4′ sheets of plywood. I chose oak boards.
- Six 1″ x 2″ x 6′ cut to:
- Four 48″ pieces
- Four 22.5″ pieces
- Four 8.5″ pieces
- Four 2.5″ machine bolts
- Four wing nuts and washers
- Four latches
- Wood glue
- Drill
- Saw
- Hammer and nails (or nail gun)
Step 1: Take two 48″ and two 22.5″ 1″ x 2″s and glue and nail them onto the plywood sheets.
Step 2: Cut 7″ diameter holes with a center at 10″ down and 12″ from side. (Standard cornhole size is 6″ diameter).
Step 3: Cut four 8.5″ pieces down to this shape. I kept shaving off until it was able to fold easily without the corner causing an obstruction.
Step 4: Hold in place and drill holes.
Step 5: Insert the bolts.
Step 6: Lay the boards flat and attach the four latches 1′ in from each end on both sides.
From the picture above you can see I also decided to add rope handles. To do this I just drilled two holes in the side of each board and used some rope that I had in the garage to make the handles.
I still have to paint the cornhole boards, but at least they will be ready in time for our fall camping trip. We’re still debating what kind of fun color scheme to go with … maybe scarlet and gray for the Ohio State Buckeyes!
Kristin made our cornhole bags (not pictured) from leftover material and dried beans, but you can also purchase them here.
Hi, I just cut the holes for the game and ended up with circles that are not quite what they should be. If I enlarge them, they will be 7″ diameter as you suggest, but only 9″ down from the top. Will that be a problem?
When I saw how you cut the holes, I realized my mistake. A little late…
Hi Betty!
Jarrett is out of town and out of cell service right now, but I don’t think it will be a problem as long as you don’t need a “regulation” cornhole board. It should still work and provide a fun backyard or camping game. All the best! ~Kristin
Love this. How high from the floor is the back of the board? Great idea
The correct dimensions is 12” from the ground to the top of the back of the boards. The hole should be 6” diameter 9” from the top 12” from the side to the center. They should be 4” to the top in the front. They should be 24” X 48”. Why don’t you just build the kids a much smaller set with larger holes so it doesn’t affect your regulation boards? You could go as thin as 1/4” on the top for theirs. The thickness of the top on regulation boards should be 1/2” – 3/4”. I play everyday and especially when we camp so that is how we built set for the kids and went to Amazon and purchased a cheap set of bags for $20.00. But real regulation bags should be slick on one side sticky on the other however a good set of them is much more expensive but well worth it if you play a lot. If you plan on just playing with them when you camp I suggest don’t get the ones filled with corn because you will be watching the squirrel’s eating them