Make Your Own Shut The Box Game

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Board game fans need to try this one! Learn how to make your own Shut the Box game.

I was doing a little research to decide on which games we should include in this year’s DIY board game series and came across Shut the Box!

Have you ever played? I fully admit I had never heard of it but now I’m sort of addicted.

It’s cool because you can play by yourself or with friends — and it’s a perfect game for a weekend at the cabin or a summer afternoon.

The finished product looks really cool and difficult but it’s very easy to make.

It’s also a perfect beginner project if you’re just starting with power tools like saws or drills. The cuts are very basic with not a lot of measuring, so you kind of can’t go wrong.

So here’s how to make a Shut the box game!

Psst — before you dive in, be sure to sign up below for my VIP group. I send these folks more of my very best DIYs, projects, and ideas.

How to make a shut the box game

DIY Board Games

Our (massive!) library of DIY board games is one of my favorite things that lives on Lovely Indeed.

I love that they’re such fun, colorful projects to make – and that after you’ve made them they really serve a purpose.

These games are constructed to stand the test of time and last years and years, making them the perfect DIY to be handed down between generations and become family heirlooms.

They also make incredible gifts!

I rounded up a few of my favorite DIY board games for you below — be sure to pin the ones you want to try!

How to make a shut the box game

Supplies You’ll Need

How to make a shut the box game

How to Make a Shut the Box Game

Make Time: 1 Hour

  1. Measure and cut your fabric so that it covers the surface on the top and bottom of the inside of your box. Spread a little glue on the top and bottom and affix your fabric there.
  2. Cut your wooden dowel into 9 pieces, each 1 1/2″ long. Drill a 1/8″ hole through the side of each dowel, about 1/4″ from the bottom of the dowel. Sand all pieces until smooth.
  3. On the bottom half of your box, drill a 1/8″ hole through the right side panel, 1″ away from the top panel. On the inside of the left panel, drill a small notch about halfway through the panel, 1″ away from the top panel. Do not drill all the way through. Your brass tube will pass through the hole in the right panel and rest in the notch on the left panel, so be sure they’re aligned.
  4. Place sticker numbers 1-9 on each of the 9 pieces of dowel that you cut. Press the edges firmly to ensure that no paint seeps underneath. If you like, you can mask the top of the dowel pieces with some washi tape to add a dipped look. Paint the front of each dowel. Remove the washi and the stickers using tweezers if necessary.
  5. Use saw (or wire cutters) to trim the brass tube to the width of the box.
  6. Slide the brass tube through the hole on the right side of the box. Place one bead (if desired on the tube, then the numbers 1-9 in order left to right, then another bead. Add a drop of glue to the notch on the left side of the box and insert the tube into the notch. Allow the glue to dry completely.
How to make a shut the box game
How to make a shut the box game
How to make a shut the box game
How to make a shut the box game
How to make a shut the box game

How to Play Shut the Box

That’s it! We used the pretty dice that we made for our DIY Yahtzee game, but you could use any dice that you have around.

You could also make these cute ones by following this tutorial.

You can find instructions for playing Shut the Box right here. I love this little game because it’s totally portable, and you can leave it open on your coffee table as well (since it’s so pretty!).

Have you made any of our DIY games yet? Which ones? xoxo

How to make a shut the box game
How to make a shut the box game

Shut the Box Game

Yield: Shut the Box
Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $40

Board game fans need to try this one! Learn how to make your own Shut the Box game.

Materials

  • wooden box
  • fabric (we used velvet)
  • E6000
  • 3/4" square wooden dowel
  • 1/8" brass tube
  • 5/8" wood beads
  • number stickers
  • craft paint
  • sandpaper
  • washi tape
  • dice

Tools

  • scissors
  • paintbrush
  • saw
  • drill with 1/8" bit
  • tweezers

Instructions

  1. Measure and cut your fabric so that it covers the surface on the top and bottom of the inside of your box. Spread a little glue on the top and bottom and affix your fabric there.
  2. Cut your wooden dowel into 9 pieces, each 1 1/2" long. Drill a 1/8" hole through the side of each dowel, about 1/4" from the bottom of the dowel. Sand all pieces until smooth.
  3. On the bottom half of your box, drill a 1/8" hole through the right side panel, 1" away from the top panel. On the inside of the left panel, drill a small notch about halfway through the panel, 1" away from the top panel. Do not drill all the way through. Your brass tube will pass through the hole in the right panel and rest in the notch on the left panel, so be sure they're aligned.
  4. Place sticker numbers 1-9 on each of the 9 pieces of dowel that you cut. Press the edges firmly to ensure that no paint seeps underneath. If you like, you can mask the top of the dowel pieces with some washi tape to add a dipped look. Paint the front of each dowel. Remove the washi and the stickers using tweezers if necessary.
  5. Use saw (or wire cutters) to trim the brass tube to the width of the box.
  6. Slide the brass tube through the hole on the right side of the box. Place one bead (if desired on the tube, then the numbers 1-9 in order left to right, then another bead. Add a drop of glue to the notch on the left side of the box and insert the tube into the notch. Allow the glue to dry completely.

Notes

That's it! We used the pretty dice that we made for our DIY Yahtzee game, but you could use any dice that you have around.

You could also make these cute ones by following this tutorial.

You can find instructions for playing Shut the Box right here. I love this little game because it's totally portable, and you can leave it open on your coffee table as well (since it's so pretty!).

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37 Comments

  1. This is soo cool! I thought it was only cute! Never heard of the game but now I’m excited and will definitely create one after I have read the rules! Too many DIY Game Ideas as well. Good job!

  2. Shut the box is a great game to play while having a few drinks. I made this set out of scrap lumber and a few bits and pieces I had laying around. The trick was to make it compact and portable, so it could be played anywhere there’s a flat surface. I’m not sure if this is the correct way to play shut the box, but this is how we’ve always played it in my family. Well, my family also have spent some casino lucky days on https://essionslive.com/casino/lucky-days/ website where they played amazing games and also earned a lot of money, we bought a fascinating house with that money.

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  7. Making your own Shut The Box game is a fun and creative project that can be enjoyed by all ages! You can build it with just a few materials and have a great time playing with friends and family. If you’re a fan of strategy games like Shut The Box, you’ll also love exploring poki games for other fun and free options to enjoy online. Give it a try and mix up your gaming experience!

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  12. I love how this Shut the Box game project is both easy and fun! The fact that it only takes an hour to make and uses simple tools like a saw and drill is a big win for a DIY newbie like me

  13. I’ve actually played Shut the Box at a local pub and it’s so addictive! I had no idea it was simple enough to build as a beginner project. The fact that there isn’t a ton of precise measuring involved makes it way less intimidating for someone like me just starting with a saw.

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  15. This looks like such a fun project to take on! I’ve been looking for a simple woodworking activity to try out, and this game seems like the perfect way to get started.