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Make Your Own Chessboard

Make Your Own Chessboard
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Measure and create a chessboard using cardboard, ruler, paint or markers; cut squares, draw an 8x8 grid, decorate, and start playing.

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Step-by-step guide to make your own chessboard

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How To Make Chess Board At Home | DIY Chess Board | Easy and Simple Craft

What you need
Adult supervision required, cardboard, glue, paint or markers, paintbrush or sponge, pencil, ruler, scissors

Step 1

Gather all your materials and find a flat workspace with lots of room.

Step 2

Decide how big you want your chessboard (for example a 32 cm square) and pick the size of each small square.

Step 3

Use the ruler and pencil to draw a big square outline on the cardboard for your board.

Step 4

Measure and mark eight equal divisions along the top and along one side of the big square to show the grid spacing.

Step 5

Use the ruler and pencil to draw straight vertical and horizontal lines through your marks to create an 8x8 grid.

Step 6

Measure one grid square’s size with the ruler and cut 64 cardboard squares that match that size.

Step 7

Lay the 64 cut squares onto the drawn grid without glue to check that each square fits in its spot.

Step 8

Put glue on the back of one cardboard square and press it onto its matching grid space; repeat until all squares are glued down.

Step 9

Paint or color every other square to make the classic checker pattern, making sure the top-left square is dark.

Step 10

Let the glue and paint dry completely before touching the board.

Step 11

Trim any overhanging edges or messy bits with scissors to make the board neat.

Step 12

Place your chess pieces on the board in starting positions and play a fun game of chess.

Step 13

Take a photo of your finished chessboard and share your creation on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use if I don’t have thick cardboard or white glue listed in the materials?

Use sturdy cereal-box cardboard or poster board folded and glued together as the board base, and replace white glue with a strong glue stick, double-sided tape, or craft glue when you press the squares onto the grid in Step 7.

My grid lines or squares aren’t lining up when I try to glue them—how do I fix that?

If squares don’t fit or lines look uneven, re-measure the big square and each division with the ruler, redraw straight vertical and horizontal lines with a straightedge, and follow Step 6 to lay all 64 cut squares down without glue to adjust spacing before gluing in Step 7.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages or skill levels?

For preschoolers have an adult pre-draw the grid and pre-cut larger squares for them to glue and paint, for elementary-age kids let them measure, mark, and cut with supervision using the ruler and scissors, and for teens encourage precise measuring, cutting with a craft knife, and sealing the paint with varnish before play.

What are some ways to personalize or upgrade the finished chessboard after Step 9?

After the paint dries you can personalize the board by painting a themed border, labeling ranks/files along the edges, trimming and covering the back with felt or cork for a finished look, or adding small magnets to your chess pieces so they stay put during play.

Watch videos on how to make your own chessboard

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Build A Chess Board In 10 Minutes!

4 Videos

Facts about board game crafts

♟️ Chess evolved from the Indian game chaturanga over 1,400 years ago — it's one of the world's oldest board games.

⬛ A standard chessboard has 64 squares arranged in an 8×8 grid — perfect for measuring and cutting!

📦 Cardboard is lightweight, sturdy, and widely recyclable, which makes it a favorite material for DIY game boards.

🎨 The setup rule 'light on the right' means each player should have a light square on their bottom-right corner.

📏 Tournament chessboards usually use squares about 5 cm (2 in) wide so pieces fit comfortably on each square.

How do I make a chessboard from cardboard step-by-step?

Start by trimming a sturdy piece of cardboard to a square—for example 32×32 cm for 4 cm squares. Measure and mark eight equal divisions along each edge with a ruler and draw the grid in pencil. Use paint or markers to fill alternating squares, letting layers dry between coats. Optionally seal with clear varnish. Create or repurpose chess pieces, and check the board is flat before playing.

What materials do I need to make a cardboard chessboard?

You'll need a sturdy piece of cardboard large enough for an 8×8 grid, a ruler or measuring tape, pencil and eraser, paints or permanent markers, scissors or a craft knife with a cutting mat, and masking tape or glue for reinforcement. Optional supplies: clear sealant, stickers or decorative paper, recycled bottle caps or small toys as chess pieces, and a straightedge for precise lines. Adult supervision is recommended for blades and paints.

What ages is this activity suitable for?

This activity suits children about 6–12 years old with varying levels of help: ages 6–8 will need close adult guidance for measuring and cutting; 9–12 can handle most steps independently with supervision for sharp tools and paint. Preschoolers (3–5) can join for decorating or placing pieces but shouldn't use blades. Adjust the board size, simplify math for younger kids, and use safety scissors and washable markers to keep it age-appropriate.

What safety tips and fun variations are there for a homemade chessboard?

Safety first: use a cutting mat and adult help with craft knives, prefer safety scissors for kids, work in a well-ventilated area when painting, and protect surfaces with newspaper. Variations: make a travel-sized board from cereal box cardboard, magnetize pieces with small magnets, create themed boards (space, animals), or draw the grid on fabric for a soft board. Benefits include measuring practice, fine motor skill development, creativity, and learning chess rules.
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