Templates for Wood Board Games

When you play a game that you made yourself, you will find that you develop more of an appreciation for the game as well, and all you need are some woodworking tools and templates for wood board games.

Board games were made out of pieces of wood long before there was cardboard, sticker paper and the 4-color print process. The games were designed on thin paper (like tracing or rice paper) and then transferred to the wood. Hand tools were used to cut the game out, glue used to put it together and then treated and sealed after any needed elements were painted on them. This process of making a board game is time consuming and intricate, so it quickly died out. Over the last couple of years, companies have been selling "classic" or "retro" games made from wood.

If you are a fan of board games or know someone who is then building a chess set, connect four or cribbage from scratch would make a great gift. If you are an environmentally conscious person, you could recycle old furniture to stain and finish then cut to build your board games out of. Not only would this be a gift from your heart and your hands, but it is also completely safe for the environment.

A template is something that you simply work off of so your favorite games can actually become templates for you to make your own retro games!

If you’re a creative person, you could create your own templates for board games. Board game publishers use standard game board sizes so if you want to turn your favorite board game into a wooden game, collect a ruler, tracing paper and a permanent marker then follow these simple steps:

1. Trace the board game on to the paper, then transfer it to the wood and cut it out.
2. Place the tracing paper on top of the game you are using as a template and trace the actual spaces and other elements.
3. If you want your game to be able to be folded, cut it in half, finish the edges and install hinges to the bottom after you stain the board.
4. Cut out the traced components, then place the tracing paper on top of the board and trace the outlines with your marker.
5. Paint the board to your liking or match the template you are working off of.
6. Use lacquer to protect your board after the paint has dried.

Now you are free to use your brand new retro and antique game as soon as the sealant is dry. You may need to apply one or more coats of paint and finish before being able to play.

Not all of us want to go through the ordeal of creating templates so luckily you can purchase templates online.

• Rustic Woodworking offers several games that you can easily make yourself. Their templates include a step-by-step instruction sheet and a drill sheet that you use as a drilling guide. The games include the following:
  • Cribbage Boards
  • Game JIG-IT (also known as Tic-Tac-Toe and Last Man)
  • Chinese Checkers
  • Chess complete with under board storage
  • Dominos
• Rockler offers templates for cribbage boards and a wooden version of sudoku. They also sell drill bits and high-end woodworking tools.
• The home repair icon, Bob Vila, also sells wooden board games, pieces and templates that include Chinese checkers, classic chess, cribbage boards and last man. There are also drill bits, wood pens and the like available.
• If you want ideas to make your own templates then check out Educational Learning Games and their wooden board game section. Take a good look at the games offered, and you just may be able to create an easy template. All you would need then are the game rules which you can easily find on the Internet.
• Following video demonstrations is a great way for first time woodworkers to get a taste of the process. MetaCafe has a good tutorial on how to create your own connect four game out of wood.
• Wood Marvels is a site that offers some of the cheapest plans for wooden board games on the Internet including templates for:
  • Chess and Checkerboard
  • Inlayed Tic-Tac-Toe
  • Jenga
  • Tower of Hanoi
  • Quattrino
  • Tangram
  • Table Top Shuffle Board
  • Connect Four
  • Table Top Bowling
  • 2-in-1 Travel Game including Tangram and Tic-Tac-Toe

Many classic games like checkers are fairly easy to build and easy to play when you're finished building. You can get creative and think outside of the box and create your own board games from scratch.

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