20 Fun And Exciting Ways To Repurpose Old Board Games

My family has such a huge collection of board games.

It’s always been a wonderful tradition, playing board games throughout the week and even though my children are grown now, we still play regularly. I have game boards for everything from Monopoly to Clue and whatever falls in between.

Let me tell you, over the years, some of those games have had to be replaced due to lost pieces.

Jump to:

• 1. Scrabble Tile Napkin Rings
• 2. Game Board Purses
• 3. Board Game Storage And Display
• 4. DIY Board Game Shelves
• 5. Scrabble Signs
• 6. Chess Piece Wine Stoppers
• 7. Scrabble Board Picture Frame
• 8. DIY Bingo Card Coasters
•  
• 9. Chinese Checkers Clock
• 10. Jenga Board Necklace Rack
• 11. DIY Jenga Keychain
• 12. Board Game Jewelry Box
• 13. USB Dice Keychain
• 14. Scrabble Board Wedding Guest Book
• 15. Small Game Piece Upcycled Notebooks
• 16. Game Board Table
• 17. Twister Rain Coat
• 18. Clue Game Wine Charms
• 19. Clue Game Cigar Box Purse
• 20. DIY Dominoes Clock
• Conclusion

1. Scrabble Tile Napkin Rings

These napkin rinks made with Scrabble tiles are the bomb!

You use napkin rings – which you can get at the Dollar Store for around a dollar for four, and then add your letters. Use random letters to spell out a message or if you’re hosting a dinner party, you can use your guests’ initials so that you know where each one will sit.

This would make a wonderful wedding gift as well for someone who loves games as much as you do.

Tutorial: brit

2. Game Board Purses

How awesome would it be to carry around a purse or tote bag of your favorite board game? Even better, these would make amazing gifts for anyone you know who loves a specific game, and they’re pretty easy to make.

You just have to bend the board in half and then add the sides and handles. Pretty easy, right? And you’ll have the most unique purse or tote bag on the block.

Tutorial: aboutabbie

3. Board Game Storage And Display

So this one is a bit different. Not only do you get a great looking display from those board games but you can also use them. You just add the game board to a wooden frame and then put the game pieces in a baggie that you attach to the back of the frame.

This is brilliant! You can take the board down anytime you want to play and when you’re not playing, it’s perfectly stored right there on the wall where it doubles as awesome artwork.

Tutorial: infarrantlycreative

4. DIY Board Game Shelves

Turn those old board games into decorative shelves in just a few minutes.

You basically just have to add L brackets to the back of the board and then hang it up. You can then use those board game shelves to hold mementos of the games themselves or anything you want. This is a great idea for kids’ rooms.

Think Candy Land for nurseries and Risk for boys. The possibilities are endless with this one.

Tutorial: vanessaalvarado

5. Scrabble Signs

How cool is this bathroom sign made from old Scrabble tiles?

You could do this in any room, just to spread whatever message you want to spread.

I’ve seen these used on mantels during the Holidays and even on Easter, but honestly they could be used year around. Just spell out what you want to say and do it with Scrabble tiles. Plus, you can easily attach twine to the tile board to hang it.

Idea: Eslamoda

6. Chess Piece Wine Stoppers

If you don’t drink wine, you could use these great stoppers for sodas.

Take your old chess pieces and add a cork to the bottom for an elegant and gorgeous bottle stopper. I love the idea of using these as gifts with a bottle of wine, especially around the holidays.

Or, you could make and sell them – they’re a pretty hot item right now. You can attach the cork with some strong glue and turn out several of these in an hour.

Idea: trendhunter

7. Scrabble Board Picture Frame

So, we covered what to do with your old Scrabble tiles – how about a neat project for the board? I love this idea of turning that old Scrabble board into a picture frame. Cut out spots to add your photos – however many you want to display, and then add the entire thing to a wooden frame.

It’s an easy project and it would make a wonderful gift for grandparents for birthdays, holidays, or Grandparent’s Day.

Tutorial: photojojo

8. DIY Bingo Card Coasters

I found this idea on Etsy, but it looks so easy to recreate.

You can turn old Bingo cards into coasters. You just have to choose the cards you want to use and laminate them. I would also use some sort of backing here, maybe some thick cardstock to make them stand out more and be a bit sturdier. These would be so easy and would be a great gift for anyone you know who loves old board games.

Available on: etsy

 

9. Chinese Checkers Clock

I love Chinese checkers – I mean, this is one of my favorite games. I also love this clock that is made from an old Chinese checkers board. This would be a great gift for anyone who likes eclectic gifts or even those who love Chinese checkers.

The round shape is perfect for a clock kit and there’s really not much work involved aside from adding the clock itself.

Tutorial: lightandspoon

10. Jenga Board Necklace Rack

If your Jenga board is missing a few pieces, don’t fret.

You can turn those pieces that you do have left into an amazing necklace rack. Actually, this rack could be used for any number of things. You could hang it inside the door for coats and scarves or use it in the closet for neckties.

The possibilities are endless and it’s a really easy project to complete. You could even paint the board pieces first if you need a specific color.

Tutorial: brit

11. DIY Jenga Keychain

Take those leftover Jenga blocks and create amazing jewelry.

This keychain is so easy and you could just as easily turn those blocks into earrings or a necklace if you wish. Take scrapbooking paper and some Mod Podge and create beautiful designs or you could even paint the blocks if you prefer.

These would also make wonderful gifts for anyone you know who loves unique jewelry.

Tutorial: sarahortega

12. Board Game Jewelry Box

Let’s face it, you can never have too many jewelry boxes. This board game turned jewelry box is genius and so much easier to make than it looks.

There’s a bit of folding and fitting involved but when you’re finished, you get this great box that is very reminiscent of those old cigar boxes and it will hold your jewelry, pencils, even cigars if that’s what you need it for.

Since most board games are the same size you could do this with any old game – Monopoly, Clue, or anything that you have on hand.

Tutorial: zieak

13. USB Dice Keychain

So many board games have dice. You may end up with several pairs of dice and no games to use them on. If you have a couple of dice left over from an old game, you can easily turn them into this great USB keychain.

Who doesn’t need portable storage, really? Kids today typically have to have USB for school and these dice would be perfect for that. Plus, it’s a more attractive USB than those that you buy in stores.

Tutorial: instructables

14. Scrabble Board Wedding Guest Book

Seriously, this is an amazing idea for anyone who loves Scrabble. Turn that old board and a few of the tiles into this wonderful wedding guest book – complete with the names of the bride and groom. You just have to bend the board, add some pages and bind it all together.

Then add your bride and groom names – which would work best if they share a letter in their names but you could do it even if they don’t. Using the same idea, you could turn the board game into a journal or diary.

Tutorial: instructables

15. Small Game Piece Upcycled Notebooks

You know those property cards from your Monopoly game?

I have to say, we can never keep all of those cards together. I am totally trying this idea of turning them into small notebooks.

Just add some paper that’s the same size as the playing cards and then use a binding machine to bind them all together.

Tutorial: onecharmingparty

16. Game Board Table

You could totally turn that game board into this great table, and always have it handy when you want to play.

Even if you don’t play the game any longer, this table is amazing and pretty easy to build.

If you do play whatever game you are using for the top, the drawers are the perfect place to store all those game pieces so they don’t get lost, and you’ll have an amazing looking table to display.

Tutorial: myrepurposedlife

17. Twister Rain Coat

Twister is a fun game and since the board itself is made from plastic, it’s the perfect game to turn into this colorful and fun raincoat.

Using a raincoat pattern you will create this just as you would with fabric, but you use the plastic from your Twister game instead. I love the colors and there are pockets and even a hood!

Tutorial: craftster

18. Clue Game Wine Charms

Take those cute little game pieces from Clue or even from Monopoly – I would totally use the little Monopoly dog for this – and turn them into these adorable wine charms.

If you know someone who loves games, these would be the ultimate gift and they are really easy to make with a few jewelry making supplies.

These would pair nicely with the Scrabble coasters, too.

Tutorial: instructables

19. Clue Game Cigar Box Purse

Here’s another great way to turn that old board game into a purse. This Clue game purse is really vintage looking and it has pockets on the inside for cash and other items.

You use Mod Podge to stick the game pieces to a wooden cigar box and the rest is really easy.

Add a jeweled handle and this is definitely going to be the most unique purse you have ever carried.

Tutorial: craftster

20. DIY Dominoes Clock

Here is another great clock idea – this time with dominoes. In this one, you use a wooden board for the backdrop and the dominoes make up the time. I love this idea and it’s pretty easy.

Just find the wood that you want to use and then attach your dominoes using the numbers on them to match up where they should be on your clock. Add a clock kit and you’re all done.

Tutorial: sadieseasongoods

Conclusion

Kids lose things – that’s just a fact of life.

If you’ve got some board games that aren’t at their best and are missing pieces, you don’t necessarily have to throw them out.

You know how much I love to upcyle old things. Just look at these 100 ways to repurpose and reuse household items.

Repurposing is in my blood and this collection of game board repurposing projects fits in perfectly.

Everyone loves games, right?

Many of these projects can be made with any game board that you have on hand, so be a bit creative with them. You could make them for your own décor or to give as gifts.

Some of them are even awesome enough to resell so if you want to hit up your thrift store and find loads of old games, you could totally make some extra money with these projects.

Oh, and speaking of games, be sure to check out these 35 backyard games that are fun and easy to make for the upcoming spring and summer season.

If you have old board games that you’re planning to throw out, try these projects instead.

From jewelry and clocks to coasters, wine stoppers and even a great game board table, there is something in here that is sure to help you repurpose that game board and create something unique and fun at the same time!