How to Make a Chinese Checker Board

Chinese Checkers is a popular family game.

Chinese Checkers is a board game which requires two to six players. Each player starts with a group of colored balls, and must get them into formation opposite their starting position to win the game. You can only move a single space forward, or jump one other game piece. It is highly popular, and if you wish to try it, you can make your own handmade game.

Things You'll Need

• Wood measuring 10 square feet, and at least 1-inch thick
• Drill
• Measuring tape
• Pen
• Scissors
• Sandpaper
• 60 Marbles
• Paint

Instructions

1. Measure 5 inches in from both sides of the wooden board. This will reveal the center of the board. Mark this spot with a pen.

2. Draw a triangle around the center spot. This should be equilateral, with 8-inch sides. To check the triangle is in the right place, measure the distance from the center spot to the point of the triangle. This should measure 4 1/2 inches.

3. Move the board so the above triangle has the point facing upwards, if it is not already.

4. Repeat the triangle step, but drawing the triangle in the opposite way to the first triangle. In this case, the second triangle should point downwards, and both triangles together should form a six point star.

5. Mark where the holes need to be, using the triangles as guides. Start at the bottom edge of one of the triangles, and mark 13 holes along this line, about 3/4 inch apart. Continue to use the triangle as a guide for the other holes. Each row should naturally lose one hole, until the point of the triangle has just one hole in the row.

6. Repeat for the other triangle, again working from the bottom to the tip.

7. Count the holes on the board to check you have marked them correctly. There should be 121 marks, with a hexagon in the center of the board, and five holes on either side of it. Each star point should have 10 marks on it.

8. Drill holes on the marks, approximately 4/8 inch deep.

9. Sand the holes and sides of the board to make a smooth game surface.

10. Decorate the board as you desire. You could give each team a different color, or create a pattern. Glaze the board with a clear glaze afterwards.

11. Place marbles into the starting position.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use eye protection when drilling, and ensure there is appropriate ventilation.

References

• "Journey to Gameland: How to Make a Board Game"; Ben Buchanan, Carol J. Adams, and Susan Allison; 2001.
• "The Big Book of Crafts: Over 70 Projects from Rubber Stamping and Wreaths to Decorative Painting and Mosaics"; North Light Books; 2003.