Cornhole 101

We’ve heard it called many names: cornhole, bagg-o, bean bag, bag toss, just plain bags, and even Indiana horseshoes. No matter what you call it, this summertime game is a standard at picnics, beach parties, and tailgating events. Read on for details on how to build your own set, beer not included.

WHAT IT IS

Cornhole is similar to horsehoes, but in place of stakes and iron shoes, players aim to toss a bean- or corn-kernel-filled bag onto the wooden cornhole platform. Landing the bag in the “cornhole” in the middle of the board is called a corn bag in-the-hole and gets you three points, while hitting the platform, a corn bag in-the-count, gets you one. The game ends when the first player or team gets 21 points. Detailed rules and official regulations are available from the American Cornhole Association.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Building your own cornhole set is easy enough. All you need are plywood planks, nails, a hammer, a sturdy saw, sandpaper, paint, dried corn to sew into a fabric bag, and some good old-fashioned elbow grease. Plus, making your own cornhole set allows you to customize the boards to suit your team—or state or veggie (tomatoes versus potatoes!)—of choice.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN CORNHOLE SET (LINKS FOLLOW THE ILLUSTRATED PLANS BELOW)

• Thanks to Mike Brungs for the plans above; click through to read his full instructions on building your own cornhole set and for rules of play.

• Instructables offers a thorough how to, with photos of each step in the construction process.

• Wikihow's instructions include blueprints of a couple of the trickier steps, as well as tips on sewing a regulation bag and what kind of paint to use on your boards (semigloss—it helps the bags slide more easily on the baord). See the Howcast video below for a walk-through:

Got a comment? A tip on cornhole-tossing technique? Post it below and keep the conversation rolling. For more family-friendly ideas, join the Earth Mamas and Papas group and revisit the Summer Crafts for Kids 101. Then find more things to plant, grow, cook, preserve, make, craft, tend, and saw in the HOMEGROWN 101 archive of DIY projects.

PHOTOS, FROM TOP: (CORNHOLE TRIPTYCH) CHIOT'S RUN; (OHIO STATE BOARD) BRANDI THOMPSON