How to Build a Walnut Checkerboard

Make a whimsical checkerboard using walnut shells.

Walnut shells that are left behind after the walnuts have been consumed are often tossed into the garbage. One alternative is to use the walnut shell halves to construct a whimsical craft, such as a walnut checkerboard. Both children and adults alike will enjoy building and playing walnut checkers, which can be customized using a few basic arts and crafts materials. Walnut checkerboards also make thoughtful handmade gifts that offer hours of amusement for family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Latex varnish, clear
• Wood board, 1/2-inch thick
• Measuring tape
• Circular saw
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Small drawstring bag

Instructions

1. Lay newspaper over a table, then place 24 walnut shell halves onto the newspaper with the rounded sides facing up.

2. Paint 12 of the walnut shell halves one color of acrylic paint, then paint the other 12 walnut shell halves using a different color of acrylic paint. Select any two colors of acrylic paint that you prefer. Allow the paint to dry for two hours.

3. Apply an even layer of clear latex varnish over each walnut shell half. Allow the varnish to dry for another two hours.

4. Cut a 1/2-inch thick wood board to measure 18 inches square using a circular saw. Sand the entire surface and edges of the board using medium-grit sandpaper to make the wood smooth and splinter-free.

5. Lay the wood square flat on the table and draw a grid on the surface of the board using a ruler and pencil. Make the grid eight rows wide and eight columns deep, spacing each grid block 2 inches wide. Center the grid in the middle of the wood board so that there is a 1-inch border around the edges of the grid.

6. Paint the drawn grid outline using one of the acrylic paint colors you used from the walnut shell halves.

7. Fill in alternating grid blocks using the same color of acrylic paint that you used to paint the outline. Allow the paint to dry for two hours.

8. Fill in the remaining alternating grid blocks with the other color of acrylic paint that you used on the walnut shell halves. Allow the paint to dry for another two hours.

9. Place the painted walnut halves into a small drawstring bag for storage. When playing the walnut checkers, place the walnuts, paint side up, onto their corresponding colors.

Tips & Warnings

• Some craft stores sell walnut shell halves that are ready to decorate.

• Keep circular saws out of the reach of children.