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
We actually make and sell these at http://www.bigbloxgames.com. The secret is to sand them and then sand some more. We start with 60 grit, then 80, and finish with 120.
Thanks Brian. It’s always good to have an alternative for the non-DIYers out there!
We just made one of these for one of the “yard games” at our rustic themed wedding. A few weeks ago. We stained the blocks three different colors and then garnished. It came out beautifully and people had a blast with it! I love the glow in the dark paint idea too!
Awesome!
What size of plastic tote did you end up putting these in (shown in the picture)?
I’m sorry Kristen, I don’t remember
This is awesome!! I’ve been wanting to do life size jenga for a while now and this is definitely giving me some motivation…I even have some glow in the dark paints and never would of thought of those for it! Thanks , hope your baby girl and everyone else is well!