How to Make a Set of Cornhole Game Boards

I was recently asked to make a set of Cornhole Game Boards for an upcoming wedding. They would be used for the wedding guests to sign, sort of like a guestbook. Watch my video to see how they turned out!

If you are not familiar with the Cornhole Game, you can find out more about it HERE. That website does a great job at explaining how the game is played. The game reminds me a lot of when I played horseshoes as a kid, except instead of trying to wrap a horseshoe around a post, you are trying to toss a bag into a hole. The game gets its name from the bags being filled with corn kernels, however they are sometimes filled with other materials too. These Cornhole Game Boards are easy to make on a weekend with limited tools. Below is a shopping list of the supplies you will need.

• 10-foot 2x4s (3)
• 1/2" thick plywood panels, 2 feet x 4 feet (2)
• 3/8" carriage bolts that are 4" long (4)
• 3/8" fender washers (8)
• 3/8" wing nuts (4)
• Nails or Screws 
• Paint or other finish.  

Below are some simple instructions for building a set of two boards.

1. Cut four 2x4 pieces that are 48" long. 
2. Cut four 2x4 pieces that are 21" long. 
3. Set the leftover 2x4 cutoff pieces aside for the legs.
4. Assemble the two frames that are 2' x 4' keeping them square and flat.  I used my Kreg K4 Pocket Hole Jig and Pocket Hole Screws, but you could just nail/screw them together from the sides.
5. Attach the plywood to the top while lining up the edges.  I used glue and a brad nailer, but you can use regular nails or screws.
6. Measure 9" down from the top and 12" across to mark the center of the holes. 
7. Draw and cut the 6" holes. 
8. Cut a semi-circle on the top of each leg and drill a 3/8" hole in the center. 
9. Attach a leg to one of the boards and extend it over the side of your worktable. Raise the board so the top peak is 12" above the surface. Mark where to cut the leg. 
10. Cut the leg and use it as a template to cut the other legs. 
11. Paint or apply your finish of choice and assemble the boards.  I used Minwax Early American Stain and Minwax Clear Gloss Polyurethane. 
12. Buy some cornhole bags like these on Amazon.  

If you would like to add stickers to your boards, one of my viewers recommended ordering them from A Better Sign.  While I have not ordered from them before, their website looks really easy to use to design your own stickers.  Ballpark pricing is $104 for two 2'x4' stickers with clear protective overlay to cover the entire boards. Smaller 12"x18" stickers run about $36 with the clear protective overlay.

I was able to finish these boards about 10 days before the wedding.  The bride has already put some Georgia Bulldog stickers on them.  After the wedding guests sign the boards with a black Sharpie, we will be applying a clear topcoat to seal in the stickers and signatures.  I will be testing different products to find a good clear coat that will not ruin the stickers or signatures.  That sounds like another good video topic so watch for that!