The holidays are a time to gather with friends and family, and this year I’m planning to unplug after work and fully embrace the season. To make our get-togethers more playful and memorable, I decided to create a giant DIY chess set and host a game-night holiday party with the girls.
I partnered with Chambord to design a whimsical, oversized chess board that keeps everyone entertained—and doubles as a fun holiday activity. It’s simple to make and looks great on the lawn or in a roomy living area. After a few rounds of chess we mixed up cocktails—Chambord and champagne and a Chambord spritz are two favorites—but if cocktails aren’t your thing, you can skip them and still have a blast with the board.
Below are the materials and step-by-step instructions to make your own giant chess set. It’s a great holiday project, perfect for parties, family gatherings, or a creative gift idea.
Materials:
- Two pieces of plywood, each 20 × 40 inches (have these cut to size at a home improvement store if needed)
- Three 1½-inch hinges with screws
- Interior house paint or acrylic paint (two contrasting colors; plus additional colors if you want to paint pieces)
- Paint pen marker
- Paint brushes
- Painter’s tape
- Drill with a Phillips screwdriver bit and an appropriate drill bit for pilot holes
- Pencil and measuring tape
- Two sets of large plastic animals or figurines for chess pieces (two matching sets in different styles or sizes work well)
How to build the giant chess set:
1. Paint the faces and exposed edges of both plywood pieces with your chosen base color. This color will serve as one of the two chessboard tones. Using a paint-and-primer product will speed up the process.
2. When the paint is fully dry, place the boards side by side with the painted sides facing out and their edges aligned. Position the first hinge about 5 inches from the inner edge so one side of the hinge lines up with the bottom edge and the other side aligns with the side of the board. Lightly trace the hinge screw holes with a pencil.
3. Repeat the hinge placement for the corresponding spot on the other board so the hinges will line up precisely once joined.
4. Drill pilot holes at the pencil marks, then attach the hinge with screws. Repeat this process for the remaining two hinges, spacing them evenly along the seam. The hinges let the board fold for compact storage.
5. With the board assembled and folded flat (painted side up), measure and lightly pencil in a grid of 5-inch squares across the entire surface—mark both horizontal and vertical lines to create the 8×8 pattern. Use painter’s tape to mask each square you want to remain the base color, working box by box so you don’t have to re-tape repeatedly.
6. Paint the exposed squares with the second chessboard color. Allow the paint to dry and apply a second coat if needed for even coverage.
7. Once the paint is dry, remove the painter’s tape and touch up any edges or imperfections with a small brush.
8. Create the chess pieces by painting two sets of large plastic animals or figurines—one set for each side. Use contrasting colors for clarity. After the paint dries, label each figure with its chess role (pawn, rook, knight, bishop, queen, king) using a paint pen marker if desired.
Photography by Rachel Brewer and Brittni Mehlhoff
Assisted by Amelia Tatnall and Anissa Saxton
Concept and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Would you try this giant chess board? It’s an easy, rewarding DIY for holiday gatherings, backyard parties, or as a playful family activity. Fold it up for storage, bring it out for game night, and enjoy the extra time together.
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This project was created in partnership with sponsors. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep creative projects like this possible. Audiences 21+