We wanted a fun game that everyone could play during our Fall Block Party. The perfect solution was an oversized DIY pumpkin checkers set! The beautiful fall colors paired with pumpkin checker pieces and its large size add a new level of excitement for all! This outdoor game is perfect for getting the whole neighborhood involved in a little competitive fun.
First, take 16 DIY Unfinished Wood Box Frames and use wood glue to attach the frames together a large square. Glue frames together 2-4 at a time. Apply the wood glue to the edges of the frames and use a clamp to hold them in place until dry. Continue until a 4 by 4 grid is completed. The DIY Box Frames come in sets of 12 so you'll need 2 sets to complete this board. Use leftover box frames to create mini fall signs & quotes for your celebration!
A checkerboard is made up of an 8 x 8 square grid. Each box frame will be divided into another 4 x 4 grid to create the necessary number of squares. Use a ruler and pencil to mark the halfway mark on the top, bottom and sides of each outside frame.
Next, use masking tape to create a line between the pencil marks. The masking tape prevents messy edges. If confident, draw a pencil line between points and paint free hand. This step will only create a few full squares. You'll need to repeat until all of the squares are finished.
Paint each space square in alternating colors. I used a fun fall palette of coral and sage for the board. Once dry remove the masking tape and reapply to finish more squares.
Paint, dry and repeat until the squares are all painted - 8 x 8 squares, 4 in each color.
Paint the edges of the board with a metallic rose gold or shade that matches your own color palette.
Paint Fall Foam Pumpkins to fit your palette. I repainted the soft blue a darker vintage teal and the gray pumpkins a blush pink. Finish by painting the pumpkin stems metallic rose gold.
Set up the board with your pumpkin pieces.
In traditional checkers, when a piece becomes a king, it is "crowned" with an additional piece. This won't work for our pumpkin pieces so instead, we use the 3rd Fall Foam Pumpkin colored pumpkin (a muted orange/ dark yellow) so the piece simply gets replaced to be "crowned." Be sure to see the whole Fall Block Party as well as a DIY Color Block Backdrop and a DIY Pumpkin Decorating Station!