As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas team, I have the option to participate in monthly challenges. One of the themes to choose from for June is DIY Outdoor Games. Our family spends a lot of time together in the summer months at mom’s pool and at our home for cook-outs and bon-fires. Having a few games on hand makes get-togethers fun.
I decided to make a giant version of a new-to-me dice game called LCR. Lowe’s supplied a gift card to complete this project. I think this would be a great summer DIY hostess gift too!
Materials I used (can be altered using some leftover supplies too):
- Scrap 4″ x 4″
- Sandpaper/sanding block
- Stencils (3 “L”s, 3 “C”s, 3 “R”s and 9 circles). I created my own but Lowe’s also sells vinyl letters or you could draw/paint them free-hand.
- Rust-Oleum’s High Performance Enamel (gloss black)
- Rust-Oleum’s Ultimate Polyurethane spray
- 2 boxes of large canning jar lids (total 24 lids)
- Rustoleum’s Self Etching Primer
- Rustoleum’s Spray Gloss Protective Enamel (red)
TUTORIAL
Dice:
1. Measure and cut cubes from the 4″ x 4″. Note: A 4 x 4 will more likely measure 3.5 inches, not 4 inches. My cubes are 3.5″ x 3.5″. I used scrap wood since 4″ x 4″ beams come in 10 foot pieces…although that’s great option for making these as hostess gifts this summer!
2. Sand edges and surfaces of each cube.
Note: You can paint dice any way you choose: All one color with a different color lettering, color the lettering and leave the dice wood-toned, staining the wood and painting the lettering, etc. I will probably try something different with my next set so they’re each unique.
3. Apply vinyl lettering/circles: one L, one R, one C to each die (the real game set shows them all beside each other on 3 face sides), then apply 3 circles to each die. Make sure to press them down securely.
4. I elevated my dice and used a roller to apply my paint. Once dry, I flipped each die and painted the bottom side.
5. Peel away vinyl stencils.
6. Once dry, I sanded each die for a distressed look then wiped them clean with a damp cloth.
7. Spray each die with a lacquer/clear coat sealant and let dry.
Chips:
Spray each side of each canning jar lid with self etching primer (allowing to fully dry on one side before flipping and spraying other side). Repeat with spray gloss protective enamel. Each coat takes a long time to dry, especially around the rubber seal of the canning jar lid. I found working outside helped speed up the drying process.
Time to Play!
Game Rules:
- Each player starts with 3 chips.
- First player rolls the dice.
- L = give a chip to the player to on your left. C = give a chip to the center pot. Roll an R = give a chip to the player to on your right. Roll a dot = keep chip.
- Pass the dice to the player on the left for their turn.
- You roll as many dice as chips you have (if 4 or more, roll all 3 dice).
- Losing all of your chips doesn’t mean you are out of the game…the game changes quickly! There is a chance another player will roll an L or an R and pass more chips to you.
- Last person possessing one chip wins the center pot.
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*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this project. The tutorial images, instructions and opinions are my own. DIY results may vary.