DIY Project

Recycled

Bottle cap checkers set

A painted cardboard checkerboard and 24 bottle cap pieces, a homemade game to play with the grandkids for years.

Bottle cap checkers set
LevelIntermediate
AgesWith grandkids ages 6 and up
Time1 hour 30 minutes plus drying
Cost$0 to $10

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Bottle caps are a choking hazard for children under 3.

  1. Step 1: Draw the grid
    1

    Draw the grid

    Mark an 8 by 8 grid of 2 in squares with a ruler and pencil.

  2. Step 2: Tape every other square
    2

    Tape every other square

    Tape off alternating squares like a checkerboard.

  3. Step 3: Paint the squares
    3

    Paint the squares

    Paint the open squares in one color. Let it dry, then peel the tape.

  4. Step 4: Paint the rest
    4

    Paint the rest

    Paint the remaining squares the second color, or leave them bare.

  5. Step 5: Ready the caps
    5

    Ready the caps

    Wash the caps. Paint them if they aren't already 2 colors.

  6. Step 6: Play a game
    6

    Play a game

    Set up and play. Teach them the tricks you learned as a kid.

Edie's tip

Bottle caps are taller than flat checkers, so they're easier to pick up and slide with stiff fingers.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

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