Amazing Dad Creates Giant Backyard ‘Connect 4′ Game For His Son’s Birthday Party
In recent years, it has seemed like bigger is better. So, it’s only natural that massive board games have joined the ranks of supersized meals, economy-sized cars, and three story Walmarts! Sometimes, this isn’t always good. Obesity is on the rise and beautiful green spaces have been destroyed in order to hold shiny new shopping centers. Life has gotten crazy, but it’s still hard to forget about the simple joy of playing a game with your family and sharing plenty of laughs. Bigger may not always be better, but in this case, it definitely can be!
This dad turned his backyard into a construction zone in order to create a GIANT Connect Four game for his son’s birthday party! Follow along so that you can see how to recreate his work.
To begin, the dad outlined circles on two sheets of quarter inch beechwood. He put forty-two circles on each sheet to create eighty-four total. During this step, he had to be very careful to measure accurately. He needed to make sure the holes were in the exact same spot on both sides.
After measuring and outlining, he used a circle saw to cut out the circles. He said this step really tested the strength of his wrists. After cutting out the circles, he discarded them. We think these could make good firewood scraps!
He then drilled channels down the middle of two boards so that he would have a place to rest the Connect Four board when it was done. He also had to create a special bottom frame to allow the checker pieces he was going to build be caught and released as needed. He did those using a metal dowel system. After that, he stained the frame using a dark cherry wood stain. He cautions readers to use several coats to make sure the wood takes on the color you want.
Next, he used a strong wood glue to sandwich the wood sheets and the frame together. While this dried, he got busy painting his checker pieces! These are actually seven-inch wood trivets that he bought at Ikea. He used several cans of spray paint to color forty-two circles red and forty-two circles blue. Several coats may be needed! He also suggests being careful to paint both the main surface of the checker pieces and the edges. This will give your final game a much more polished and professional look!
And, just like that, this creative father built a giant Connect Four board for his son’s birthday! In a matter of hours, he created something magical. And, it hardly cost him anything at all! With a little ingenuity, we could all be more like him!
We’re sure that there were plenty of giggles at his party and that this game will bring the family joy for many years to come. Board games are wonderful on their own, so getting to play them outside is even better. Way to go, dad!
