Play Giant Lawn Checkers

Bring classic board game fun to your backyard in a really big way with a giant game of checkers! Our oversized version transforms this 2-player game into one that multi-player teams can enjoy, making it perfect for families.

What You'll Need

• 12 yards of thick rope
• 2 rolls of duct tape in different colors
• Tape measure
• Scissors or carpet knife
• 1 to 2 cans of grass-marking paint/non-toxic spray paint
• 2 pieces of sturdy cardboard, cut into squares that measure 12 inches by 12 inches
• 2 long pieces of scrap lumber (optional, to help you line up your checkerboard) • Sidewalk chalk (optional, for drawing on a patio or driveway)

Get Ready… Get Set…

Make your checkers. Tip: Choose brightly colored rope and duct tape to make your checkers "pop" on the grass.

1. Use the scissors or carpet knife to cut the rope into 18-inch long pieces. You'll need a total of 24.

2. Working with one piece of rope at a time, create a circle by bringing the two ends together. Your circle will be about 6 inches in diameter.

3. Use a piece of duct tape to join the ends.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have 12 checkers of each color.

Get Set …

Create your checkerboard. Tip: If you're marking a stone patio or driveway, use sidewalk chalk wherever instructions call for paint.

1. Use the measuring tape to define a square area in your yard that's 8 feet long by 8 feet wide. Temporarily mark the corners of the square using stones, garden stakes, or other small objects. Tip: Lay 2 long pieces of scrap lumber at 90-degree angles to perfect your square and keep your borders straight.

2. Place one of the cardboard squares within the square boundaries you just created, with one corner touching one of your temporary markers.

3. Using the cardboard as a template, spray lines around all four sides of the cardboard square. Repeat the process until you have 8 rows of 8 squares. Tip: When your first cardboard template gets too wet to handle, switch to the second one.

4. Fill the inside of every other square to create a checkerboard pattern. Allow the paint to dry completely and remove the temporary corner markers before playing.

Play!

1. Compete as individuals or as teams. Have each player or team choose a color.

2. Players arrange their checkers on the first 3 rows of colored squares closest to them.

3. Play according to the rules of checkers, removing captured checkers and placing them outside the board as you go. When it's time to "king" another player's checker, stack 2 rings atop one another and move them together.

4. The player or team that captures all of their opponent's checkers is the winner!

Your checkerboard will last until you mow the lawn or, in the case of a patio checkerboard, until the next rainfall. Want a more permanent checkerboard? Consider painting a king-sized sheet or creating a duct tape checkerboard on a large tarp. That way, you'll be ready for another game whenever the mood strikes.