DIY Cornhole Game with Burlap Bean Bags w/video tutorials

We love when crafting is a family affair, so when Erin told us about this cute project she created with her husband we just had to share.  As the spring rains stop and the sun starts shining it is time to get into the backyard with the family and what better way than play a game or two.  One of our favorite games is Cornhole.  Rumor has it that the game has American roots and was first played outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.  We did a little more research and the origins might be in Germany, but it is kinda fun to claim it as a USA found sport.  If you are not familiar with the game it is pretty simple.  2 boards, 8 corn bags (4 in one color and 4 in another) and some players and that is all you need.  The game is won by tossing bags into the opposing board and either landing in the hole or on the board.  Some games have just one hole, but we love this game board Erin created with 3 holes and lots of color, what fun to create your own point system when the bean or corn bags land in different places.  

I love that the weather is nice to be outside and play in the backyard, and what fun it is to play a nice family game.  So my husband and I worked together to create a cornhole game for our backyard for family and friends that come over on these warm spring and summer days.  It is perfect for any party or just a family night outside free of technology and full of laughs. For those that have never played, you throw the bean bags into the holes and score points, you set the rules and just have fun!!

What you will need:

• Wood
• Nails
• Paint
• Paint Brush
• Fabric
• Corn or beans
• Thread and Needle or sewing machine
• Beacon Glue

My husband constructed the base from leftover wood he has in his shop – I made things from paper, paint and glue, he makes things from wood and every now and then we work together to make something fun!!

If you are not sure of the measurements or how you want to build your board, we found this great site with lots of good information – Cornhole how to

I then took his natural wood cornhole base and painted it with Tattered Angels Decor & DIY paint in Ebony, Viridian, Saffron, Scarlet, and Ceruclan.  You can also use Tattered Angels High Impact Paint.  Both paints are great for indoor and outdoor use and because these paints are non-toxic, no odor you can paint inside or out with no worries.  You can paint yours with fun colors, match your outside decor, paint it princess colors, maybe batman or paint your favorite sports team colors with the logo or mascot.  The possibilities go on and on.

The wood is a plain pine wood in 2×4, 2×6, and 1×12 and the Decor & DIY covered it wonderfully!!  This paint will adhere to vertically any surface and dries to a smooth surface.  In most places it only took one coat!!  For the game there are actually two of the bases needed, but I only showed one in the picture and video as they are identical.  Here is a full video tutorial on how I painted the natural base.

Now I couldn’t just go buy generic bean bags, I knew I could make them!!  I used the burlap sheets in Yellow, Teal, and Red with Sisal rope to create my own bean bags to throw into the holes of the cornhole base.  You can make the bags from any fabric, so match them to your theme, paint them, stamp on them, add your creative touch.

The beans, corn or rice you fill your bags with might slip out, so if you choose burlap you might want to choose larger fill or use a sewing machine to hold in all the goodness.  Sewing them with the edges exposed like this looks terrific and gives a great handmade feel.

Storing your bags is another thing you might want to think about, consider painting an found bucket, box or bag that you store your bags in.  You can also post the family game rules on a  board that you can stick in the ground or carry with the game, paint the sign with the same paint and it can stay outside too.  

This is also a great idea for a birthday gift, father’s day gift or maybe even handmade Christmas Gifts for the whole family.  So get out a few tools, a paint brush, needle and tread and you can create something amazing as a family.  

Now go outside and enjoy the amazing weather that is coming and play fun family games!!!

Happy Creating!!!!

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