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How to make a giant tumbling tower game

Giant completed tumbling tower game stacked up in an outdoor setting with large cushions, table, hat and esky under an umbrella

Overview

This outdoor giant tumbling tower game is the ultimate outdoor game, perfect for BBQs, parties or picnics. With this simple D.I.Y. project, we’re going to make our very own set, just in time for summer!

It’s a great project for D.I.Y. beginners, with only simple woodworking required. We’re going to use pine timber, as it’s durable, weatherproof and an incredibly sustainable option that can be reused time and time again. If you’re not too sure which timber to choose, ask one of our team at Bunnings.

This tumbling tower game is an affordable option for summer, with just a few simple tools and materials required. You’ll be stacking, pulling, pushing and balancing your blocks in no time, challenging friends and working your way up to champion!

Steps

  1. 1

    Prepare your timber

    Measure 300mm lengths down your planks of timber. To make a 1.2m-tall tower, with three pieces per level, you’ll need to cut about 26 layers, which means 78 pieces, plus a couple of extras as spares.
    Bunnnings team member measuring a piece of timber with a measuring tape and pencil
  2. 2

    Cut

    Because we have so many blocks to make, the most time-effective way to cut them is with a circular saw. If you don’t have a circular saw you can use a hand saw – but it will take a while!

    Put on your safety equipment and then start cutting your timber blocks at the 300mm marks. Continue until you have the right number of blocks.

    Bunnings team member cutting a piece of timber with a circular saw
  3. 3

    Sand the ends

    You could sand by hand but again because of the volume, we suggest sanding the edges of the blocks using a powered sander. This will make them slide better and gives them a nicer finish.

    Make sure you’re wearing your safety equipment while doing this!

    Bunnings team member sanding the end of a piece of timber with an orbital sander
  4. 4

    Paint the pieces

    Now it’s time to decorate your pieces! How you embellish them is up to you – you could stain them, but we’ve chosen to paint.

    Lay down a drop sheet or protective surface before painting. Choose your colours and paint the top 3 sides and ends. Leave to dry, before flipping and painting the underneath.

    Once every side is dry, it’s time to stack and start playing. Make sure you rest your tumbling tower set on a solid surface, such as a box or table to ensure it’s even before you start playing.

    Bunnings team member painting a piece of timber with blue paint
  5. 5

    Ready, play!

    Check out our range of timber, perfect for this tumbling tower game!
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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.