DIY Giant Jenga Christmas Gift

On the 3rd day of Christmas… I’m sharing the Giant Jenga sets I made for my 13-year-old nephew and my brother and sister-in-law.I was so frazzled trying to finish up all my DIY gifts that I didn’t take too many pictures of the Giant Jenga-like sets.  Of course neither are the real Jenga version, but I did make two very popular DIY versions.  The one for my nephew was made with 2×3 lumber and the one for my bro was made with 2×4 lumber.  I’m assuming both sets will be mostly used outdoors, probably in the backyard, but I hear they’re also popular at the beach or tailgating. 

I’ve seen these games called Tumbling Towers, Toppling Timbers, Life-sized Jenga, etc.  Whatever you want to call it, there’s a few simple rules for making the game:

1) The blocks must be 3 times as long as they are wide

• 2×3 version: the wood is really 1.5″ x 2.5″ wide,    2.5″ x 3 = 7.5″,   so cut your pieces 7.5″ long
• 2×4 version: the lumber is really 1.5″ x 3.5″ wide,    3.5″ x 3 = 10.5″,    so cut your pieces 10.5″ long

2) Make at least 18 rows

• 18 rows x 3 blocks = 54 blocks total
• Some people make 57, 60, 63 blocks, etc.  I don’t really see the need.  And boy would it get heavy to carry around!  And dangerous when it falls.

3) Sand the crap out of the blocks

• The blocks need to slide in and out easily + you don’t want anyone getting splinters
• Please, sand off any markings/writing that came on your lumber!  It would be so tacky to leave it on there.

4) Provide a way to carry the blocks

• A giant duffel bag works or a large crate

Optional:

• Paint or stain the blocks, either just the ends or the entire piece
• Use treated lumber {but I don’t really recommend it, as it’s not attractive or safe to handle}
• Wood burn an image or words along the side or at the ends
• Use for special events like a wedding or graduation, burn or write along the side Bride & Groom 12/27/13 and have your guests write on the Jenga pieces instead of signing a guest book
• Add a twist by writing challenges on each block, ex: Do 10 jumping jacks, You can’t talk for the rest of the game, You’ve grown a mustache – Play the rest of the game with your left index finger over your lip.
• Make a Drinking Jenga version (just write these rules like this each block): Drink 1 for every letter in your last name, Give all players  a new name.  All players must use the new names, or drink 1 every time they fail, Drink 1 drink for each person playing the game, Take 6 drinks.  “Jenga got you good!”

See all my 12 Days of Christmas ideas here