DIY - Chinese Checkers Nesting Table

As the kids prepare for their final months of school, this is the perfect time to plan some of the activities that will keep them busy during those lazy days of Summer.
And today, you guys are in for a treat! As part of our monthly DIY-Challenge, I have 11 games that you can build to keep those kids super busy while having loads of fun. - Be sure to check all the amazing games linked at the end of this post!

My project > a Chinese checkers game that doubles as nesting table and that you can use inside or outside your home.

Before I start giving you all the details of this build, I have to tell you a little story about this project:
Three years ago I was rushing to finish the final details for the Home Depot Patio Style Challenge - I had completed the construction of the deck, but I was also completing many other smaller projects that I needed to decorate the deck.

*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

I scored a thrifty set of nesting tables and decided to turn them into games for the kids to have fun while enjoying their time in our new outdoor space.

Now, if you have gotten into one of these challenges, you know how crazy that final week is. As the final deadline approaches, your problems somehow multiply. We even had a good amount of snow that made us stop construction!

Anyhow, I was super busy, so I asked the mister to drill the holes for the Chinese checker board. He gladly accepted the task, but boy oh boy, his attention to detail was less than desirable. 😒

Three years later, I'm finally giving you all the details about this project, after fixing many imperfections created while construction.

Again, I used a set of nesting tables I bought at a thrift store for five dollars. However, you can follow the complete plans for building the tables right HERE.

I made the Chinese checker board template to fit perfectly on the top of the larger table. You can skip all that measuring by simply downloading the free template right HERE.

Center the template on the top of the large table, tape it in place and using an awl tool and a hammer mark the location of the holes.

|  Awl Tool  |  

At that time, the mister used a spade bit to make the holes. He even added the tape to know how deep to drill.

But, as you can see in the picture below, the spade bit didn't produce a smooth surface on the bottom of those holes.

THE PEGS
Instead of marbles I used wooden dowels to create the 60 pegs you need to play the game. A 1/2" dowel was used for the heads and 1/4" for the bases.

At that time, my daughter was the one in charge of painting the entire thing. And she went for bright colors.

Well, this picture below was the only one to make it to the final reveal. I didn't dare taking a close-up shot.

However, the tables were used as tables and the kids also played the games many times, but after awhile the tables were forgotten in the basement.

When the DIY-Game Challenge arrived, I knew it was the time to give them a second shot.
A 5/8" Forstner bit was the perfect tool to smooth out all those holes. A sanding drum on my Dremel fine tuned those edges.

|  Diablo 5/8" Forstner Bit  |  DREMEL 4300 Series Variable Speed Corded Rotary Tool   |  

Look at the difference! Talk about using the right tool for the job.

Some of the holes suffered so much damage that was impossible to erase some of those marks. But, overall it looks way better.

The yellow was changed for a bright white and the holes were painted in blues and greens.

Oh, and the small table got a chess board painted on it.

Here's a step by step photo tutorial of how it was done.

The tables are being used in our living room and they work perfectly with the decor in that room.

When not in use, the pegs go inside this little basket.

Well, another good thing about using pegs is that they don't move easily! You need to take them out and into a new spot.  You can find the Chinese checkers rules right HERE.
The pieces for playing checkers are regular metal washers.

Well, if you're looking for a nice set of nesting tables that also double as games ready to be played, this is the project for you!!

But, I also have ten more awesome game ideas you would love to try:

• DIY - Backyard Chip Shot Golf Game  - Addicted 2 DIY
• DIY - Chinese Checkers Nesting Table  - Remodelacasa
• DIY - House Shaped Dress-Up Wardrobe  -  The Created Home
• DIY - Ring Toss Game - Anika's DIY Life
• DIY - Ring Toss Game -  The Inspired Workshop
• DIY - Outdoor Tic-Tac-Toe Game  -  The Awesome Orange
• DIY - Outdoor Scoreboard  - Stacy Risenmay
• DIY - Molkky Game for Camping -  My Repurposed Life
• DIY - Wooden Puzzle  -  Ugly Duckling House
• DIY - Sliding Puzzle  -  100 Things 2 Do
• DIY - Chalkboard Tutorial  -  Joyful Derivatives

For more DIY - ideas check these out:

Father's Day Football Toss

DIY - Little Wooden Buoys

Coastal Votives with Tray 

*This post contains affiliate links.

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