How to Make a Game Board Out of Wood

Make your own game board for family time.

Playing with commercial board games can provide hours of fun for families and friends, but you might want to design your own game board at some point. Making a wooden game board for a school project is a way to "kick up" the effort and quality of a homework assignment, while making up a new game for the family can be a bonding experience. Wooden game boards are not difficult to prepare, and they will last much longer than those made on poster boards.

Things You'll Need

• Tracing paper
• Tape measure
• Plywood
• Scroll saw
• Router (optional)
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic varnish
• Sponge brush
• Wax or graphite transfer paper
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrushes
• Hinges (optional)

Instructions

1. Draw the design for the game board on tracing paper. Measure the outline of the board.

2. Mark the shape and size of the board on the plywood, measuring carefully.

3. Cut the game board on the scroll saw.

4. Use the router to round the edges of your game board, if desired. This is not an essential step.

5. Sand the top, bottom and sides of the board to smooth all of the surfaces. If necessary, use a tack cloth to remove any extra sawdust.

6. Apply a layer of varnish to all surfaces of the board to seal it. This helps you use fewer coats of paint, because the wood will not soak up as much paint after it is sealed.

7. Transfer your design to the board by placing the wax transfer paper on the board, wax side down, and laying the pattern on top. Trace the lines with a pencil or a stylus. Use a ruler or straight edge for crisp, level lines, if desired.

8. Paint the design with acrylic paint. The types of brushes used will depend on your personal preferences and the size of the design's details. Allow the paint to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.

9. Add a coat of varnish to the painted game board.

10. Make your board game foldable by cutting it in half with the saw. Lightly sand the exposed sides, then paint and varnish them. Attach the hinges.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember the woodworker's cardinal rule for avoiding waste: "Measure twice, cut once." Before cutting your plywood and risking getting it the wrong size, check your measurements a second time.

• Use the type of saw you are most comfortable with. For many beginners, a scroll saw is often the easiest to control, but any saw can do the job.

• Speed up the project with spray acrylic varnish, rather than the liquid form.