Cornhole

Cornhole is a great campsite game! Perfect for adults and kids, cornhole is simple, fun, and can be played in teams. Also called bean bag toss, cornhole is a must for any fun family camping trip! Let's look at the rules of the game and how to make your own custom cornhole game!

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Set Up

• In a flat, open space, place the two cornhole boards (a board elevated at one end with a hole cut out of it) across from each other with 27’ between them.

• Mark a foul line that is even with the front of each board.

• Split the players into two teams (Team A and Team B).

• Divide each team in two.

• Half of team A will stand on the right side of one of the cornhole boards, while the other half will stand on the left of the other. This way, teammates are facing each other from the same side of the boards.

Rules of Play

• 2-4 players

• Each game is broken down into innings.

• The game continues until at least one team reaches 21 points, and then finish out the inning.

• Players must stay behind the foul line at all times.

• One payer begins by throwing four beanbags at the board they are facing, attempting to get each one into the hole.

• Someone from the opposing team that is standing on the other side of the board that the first player is standing next to, then throws her 4 bean bags.

• Points are totaled (see below).

• Players standing next to the board across from them pick up the bean bags and take their turns in the same fashion.

Scoring

• Each bag that makes it through the hole (whether tossed in or knocked in by another bag) is worth 3 points. This is called a Corn Bag In-The-Hole.

• Each bag that makes it onto the platform without touching the ground and remains there until the end of the inning is worth 1 point. This is called a Corn Bag In-The-Count. If the bag bounces off the ground and then lands on the board, it is considered a foul and must be removed.

• Any bag that is touching the ground at the end of the inning is 0 points. This is called a Corn Bag Out-Of-The-Count.

• The first team to make it to 21 points wins!

Where to get one!

Make your very own custom cornhole game using our step-by-step instructions below!

If you're short on time, you can purchase one online or at a local sporting goods store.

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DIY Cornhole Game

Tools:

• Drill

• Miter Saw

• Orbital Sander

• Measuring tape

• Compass

• Sewing machine

Supplies:

• 6” hole bit

• 2.5” screws

• 1.5” screws

• 3/8” carriage bolts

• 3/8” wing nuts & washers

• Paint (if you choose to paint it)

• 120-grit sandpaper for the sander

• ½” plywood sheets – 2, 2’ x 4’ sheets

• 8' 2 x 4s

• Dried corn

• 7” each of 2 different-colored duck cloth (based on a 60” bolt). You can find this at a fabric or craft store.

First cut your wood (You will need to cut the following from the 2 x 4s):

• 4 pieces that are 48” long

• 4 pieces that are 21” long

• 4 pieces that are 12” long

• No need to cut your plywood as long as you bought them in 2’ x 4’ pieces.

Start building the frame

1. Lay out 2 of the 48” long 2 x 4s parallel to one another.

1. Lay the 21” 2 x 4s at the end in between the longer two to create a square.

1. Using your 2.5” screws, connect the boards at the ends.

1. Place the 2’ x 4’ plywood on top of the box you just made and line up the edges and use your 1.5” screws to attach it to the board. These should be placed about very 8”.

The legs

You will need to round one side of each of the legs to make them foldable for easy storage and portability. Using your 12” 2 x 4s:

1. Measure 1.75” down from the top of the board and make a mark.

1. Measure 1.75” from the side of the board and make a mark.

1. Where these two measurements meet, use your compass to draw a ½ circle at the end of the board so you can round out the edge.

1. Also where the two measurements meet, drill a 3/8” hole.

1. Use your jigsaw to cut off the corners, following the line you created with your compass.

1. Sand the cut area to smooth it out.

Putting it together

1. Flip over your box that you have made so that the plywood is facing down.

1. Place the rounded end of the leg against the shorter end of the box on the inside, with the side against the longer end.

1. Using your 3/8” hole as a guide, drill a 3/8” hole through the longer side of the box.

1. Place the carriage bolt through the hole from the outside of the box and fasten it on the inside with a washer and wing nut. You want it tight enough that when the legs are extended they will support the box and not fall in, but loose enough that you can extend and fold the legs.

Making sure it’s the right height and that it’s level

1. Place your now assembled cornhole board on a flat surface.

1. Place something sturdy under your board until the elevated end is 12” off the surface.

1. With the edge off the surface, so the bottom of the leg is not touching it, flip the leg down.

1. Use the edge of your flat surface to mark the inside of the leg where the surface meets.

1. Cut the leg along this line.

1. Repeat on the other side.

Drilling the hole

1. Measure 12” from the side of the board and then 9” from the top. Where these two intersect will be the hole.

1. With your 6” drill bit, drill out the hole.

1. Using sandpaper, ensure the edge of the hole is smooth.

Now you can paint it however you like!

Making the bags

1. Cut the duck cloth into 16 7" x 7" pieces.

1. Place two fabric squares together and pin along the edge.

1. Using your sewing machine, with 1/2" seam allowance, sew 3 sides of each bag, and most of the 4^th, leaving a space open to fill the bag.

1. Turn the bag inside out to hide the seams.

1. Fill the bag with about 16 oz. (1 lb.) of corn.

1. Fold in the remaining seam and sew the hole closed.

1. Repeat this process until you have 8 bags.

Now that wasn’t hard was it? Get outside and play cornhole!

Does your family have favorite campsite games? Tell us in the comments!