Five DIY Outdoor Fun Projects That Cost Under $100
If it’s getting warmer where you are, you’re probably looking forward to spending more time outdoors. And if you’re an outdoor enthusiast who prefers entertainment to quiet reading in a hammock, you’ll probably want to enjoy playing games or other fun activities in your backyard. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to make your outdoor space a relaxing place for your friends and family.
Set up a bocce court
To add a bocce court, you will need a level area that is at least 13 feet wide. The length of your court may vary, with regular courts being 91 feet long and standard recreational courts being 60 feet long. Once you’ve chosen your bocce court, you’ll need to tamp down the dirt to accurately level the surface and then cover the leveled area with pea gravel ($5.88 per 5 cubic feet). To frame the bocce court, you can use concrete ($5.71/80 lb. bag) and a border molder ($18.49) or a mold ($43.90). Finally, to get started, you’ll need a set of bocce balls ($16.99).
Add a tree swing
If you have a large enough tree and enough room for a swing, a tree swing is a must. You can make a simple tree swing using good quality rope ($22.99/50ft) and a board ($24.28/2″ x 1′ x 8′ board) thick and wide enough to you could sit on it. Simply drill through each end of the board and thread a string through each hole. Then use a knot under the hole to attach the board to the rope on each side.
Hang the swing from a branch to complete the swing. You can also use burlap ($14.99) between the rope and the branch to protect the tree bark from being scratched by the rope. Make sure you choose a strong branch that can support the weight of the swingers to avoid damaging the tree (or the swinger itself!). The diameter of the branch should be at least three to four inches, but also no more than half the diameter of the main trunk, and you should choose a branch without obvious signs of rot, such as missing bark or insect infestation. Hang the swing no more than halfway to the end of the branch from the tree trunk to ensure a stable position.
Throw a rattle
The rattle toss is an easy DIY project that can be made with one sheet of plywood ($27.38/4′ x 8′ sheet) and a few beanbag bags ($16.99). You will need to cut out four triangles, two tops and two backs to create a bottomless wedge. Next, you’ll cut three holes in the top of each wedge, about three inches in diameter.
Apply a bead of wood glue to the top edge of each side piece and the top edge of the back piece. Then position the pieces with the top in place and attach it by nailing or screwing the top to the sides and back. Finally, nail or screw the back piece to each side.
Then sand the pieces to remove splinters and paint the wedges to your liking. This could be a great opportunity to use up leftover paint from another project or use a quart size of exterior paint ($14.98 per quart).
Set up a horseshoe-shaped platform
The Horseshoe game is one of the easiest outdoor games to prepare. You just need a level area about 40 feet long and about eight feet wide and a set of horseshoes ($34.85). Simply hammer in the stakes at both ends of the 40-foot span and your court is ready to go. Remember that throwing a horseshoe may require some swing space, and not every horseshoe player will be accurate on every throw, so stay 10 feet away from buildings and areas where people congregate.
Create a scoreboard for your games
To make the scoreboard, first start with a board of plywood or similar wood. Your sign can be any size, but it should be a rectangle that fits in your seating area or can be attached to a post for accessibility and visibility. Depending on the game, you will need to keep track of different numbers; However, from a numbered board with holes and dowels you can make almost any kind of scoreboard. First, create a grid on the board with the number of players at the top and the number of points on the sides. Then drill holes in the center of each square the same size as the dowel. For a half-inch diameter dowel ($2.07 for a four-foot long dowel), you will need to drill a half-inch diameter hole. Draw or draw numbers on the board for each corresponding dowel position, and then you can keep track of the points by moving the dowel up the board as you score. This is a great way to use up scraps of material or leftover paint from other projects.