How to Make a Ring Toss for Kids

Ring toss has been a favorite game for kids for decades. This game can be used at carnivals, fairs and family block parties for lots of children to play. You can also construct your own ring toss game for kids, and play it in your own backyard any time you want.

Things You'll Need

• Drill with a countersinking bit
• One piece of wood, 1 by 1 by 12 inches
• Two pieces of wood, 1 by 1 by 5 1/2 inches
• Five 5-inch long wooden pegs
• One piece of wood, 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches
• Two pieces of wood, 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 by 6 inches
• Acrylic paints, any color
• Paintbrush
• Wood glue
• Nylon rope, 18 inches in length
• Candle
• Duct tape
• Polyurethane, optional

Instructions

1. Drill holes on both sides of the 12-inch long piece of wood. Make the holes 1 inch in from the ends. Be careful not to penetrate through to the other side. The holes should be just slightly larger than the diameter of the pegs you are using, so the pegs will slide in and fit snuggly. Now drill a similar hole in the center of this piece of wood.

2. Drill a hole 1 inch from the end on a piece of 5-1/2-inch wood. Do the same for the other piece of wood this size.

3. Use the center hole on the 12-inch piece of wood as your guide, and glue the two smaller pieces of wood to each side. You should now have an X shape, along with five visible holes.

4. Construct a base for the ring toss by making an X shape with the 12 1/2-inch piece of wood and the 6-inch pieces of wood. This X will not need any holes drilled into it. Glue the smaller X (with the holes) on top of this base. This will make the game stronger and able to stand when the rings are thrown.

5. Paint the base any color you like using acrylic paints. Also paint the pegs at this time. You can use the same color as the base or choose different colors for the pegs. Once the paint has completely dried, pour some glue into the holes, and secure a peg in each hole. Let this dry completely before using.

6. Cut three 6-inch pieces of rope from the 18-inch strand you have. Take one piece of rope and place it into a lighted candle for a few seconds. This will keep the rope from fraying. Make a circle from the rope by joining the two end pieces together, and secure with duct tape. Do this same process for the two remaining strands of rope.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray the finished ring toss game with polyurethane to help the paint last longer. Use colored duct tape to match your ring toss colors. Duct tape comes in many colors. Consider making the rope circles bigger, if playing with small children, to make it easier for them to be successful. Use these basic instructions to make a bigger ring toss game by using longer pieces of wood and adding more pegs.

• This is an adult project. Kids may have fun helping to paint, but keep dangerous materials away from children. Do not hold the rope in the lighted candle too long, or it will catch on fire. A few seconds is all you need.