How-to: DIY Giant Dice

Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!

Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!

Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!

Giant dice are great for outdoor parties and for kids who want some more movement, since the gross-motor activity of rolling giant dice is way better exercise than tossing teensy dice across a table.

I’ve got two simultaneous tutes for making these giant dice for you here. Both ways utilize primarily recycled and stash supplies, but one makes temporary giant dice that are easy to pull apart and recycle–perfect for that kid’s party. The other way is more work, but the results look nicer and last longer–keep a set on hand for all kinds of games.

Tute #1: Temporary Giant Dice

1. Find a set of boxes that are as nearly cube-shaped as you can manage. My kids and I volunteer weekly in a food pantry, and I recommend this as an excellent way to score used boxes and food packaging of all sorts.

The closer to an exact cube your dice are, the more accurately they’ll roll.

2. Cut down the boxes to size. If your boxes aren’t good cubes, cut them down by measuring the short sides, then marking that measurement on the long sides. Cut down at the corners of the box to these marks–

2 Ways to Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!

–then use a metal ruler to help you fold down the sides of the box to these marks.

2 Ways to Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!Fold the sides in, then duct tape the box shut. If you’ve got a couple of jingle bells or ping pong balls, you can seal them inside the box at this point–they’ll make a fun noise when you roll your dice.

3. Wrap the boxes like they’re presentsThis is as easy way to give your dice a neutral base color. I’m using second-hand gift wrap turned inside-out for these dice, but brown paper bags also make an excellent wrapping material; you can even use newspaper, if you’re in a pinch.

4. Tape or paint on the dice markings. Double-sided tape will stick well enough during use, but is easy to remove afterwards. A glue stick is another easy option, if you’re not worried about separating your papers for recycling later.

See? Quick and easy, and you’re ready to roll!

2 Ways to Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!
My nine-year-old made these giant dice for the life-sized Candyland game that she wants to play at her birthday party this weekend.

Here’s the tute for a more permanent set of giant dice.

2 Ways to Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!

Tute #2: Permanent Giant Dice

2 Ways to Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!1. Follow the Temporary Giant Dice instructions to cute your dice to size. This part stays the same, no matter what kind of dice you’re making.

2. Paint your dice a base coat. White is the traditional option, of course, but I had some stash purple spray paint on hand, and I gambled that there was just enough in the can to finish this job (there was!). Brush-on paint is a more eco-friendly option; use stash low-VOC house paint, whatever kind you’ve got in the garage.

3. Stencil and paint the dice markings. 

2 Ways to Make GIANT DICE! Small store-bought dice are fine for small board games, but for GIANT games, you need GIANT dice!

Choose a color of paint that contrasts well with your base coat, since kids, especially, tend to let these dice fly across the room when they play, so you’ll want the markings to be visible.

4. Add a clear sealant. This is an optional step, but if you do want to keep your dice for a long time, it will protect them against general wear and tear.

Almost as quick and easy, and once again, you’re ready to roll!

Here are just a few ideas for using your brand-new giant dice:

  1. Substitute these dice for traditional dice in any game to let kids get a little more movement into their activities. Kids need to be run like labradors, or they won’t sleep at night!
  2. Make a giant version of any small-scale board game as a fun outdoor party activity.
  3. Put quiz questions, multiplication facts, or sight words on the dice to make memorizing stuff a *little* less tedious for kids. Use double-sided tape, and you can replace the memory work as needed.
  4. If you can find REALLY big boxes, super giant dice make super cool party decorations.

2 thoughts on “How-to: DIY Giant Dice”

  1. Pingback: Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!

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