Today we’re making a DIY pinball game! Kids of all ages will have a blast playing with this DIY pinball game. It’s very similar to that arcade game that used to be so popular. Whether you have little kids or big kids they’ll all have fun playing with this pinball game. The best part is, you can make this DIY pinball game at home or in the classroom.
DIY Pinball
We all recall the arcade game (that is if you’re a bit older) with it’s flashing lights, music, and the ringing sounds as the ball hit the different items in the machine. We all wanted the high score, but you had to be quick!
This DIY pinball game is not only easy to make, but fun to play with. It will also help kids practice their hand eye coordination. Best part is, you can store it in the box you use to make the DIY pinball game and play with it again later.
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Related: Make your own cup and ball game! It’s easy!
Supplies Needed To Make This DIY Pin Ball Game
How To Make Your Very Own Pinball Game
Step 1
Cut a foam strip about 1 inch wide and 5 inches long.
Craft Notes:
If your foam doesn’t keep it’s shape you can use the cardboard or card stock to reinforce it.
Step 2
Peel the protective layer off the back of the foam and place a pencil 1/2 of the way down the length of the foam strip under the eraser.
Step 3
Fold the foam together over the pencil which will “sandwich” the cardboard strip.
Step 4
Using the scissors, push through the bottom of the shoe box creating paddles that can be controlled from below.
Craft Notes:
Don’t push the scissors all the way through. You just want a hole big enough for your pencils.
Step 5
At each end make a hole for the goal and outline it with tape.
Craft Note:
We used sharpened pencils to shove through the box which was difficult and could cause injury while doing or playing. But hindsight is 20/20 and we definitely suggest unsharpened pencils.
How To Play Your DIY Pinball Game
Once you have it set up, it’s time to play! The player will use the paddles to move the ball towards the goal on the opposite end of the game board. Once you make 5 goals you win!
Modify This DIY Pinball Game For Younger Kids
Younger kids like toddlers and preschoolers may need a little help. You can use different colored pencils to help kids guide the ball and so they can easily see which pencils are causing the action.
Also, any kind of movement from the bottom of the box will change the course of the ball. It’s a great way to teach cause and reaction.
Modify This DIY Pinball Game For Older Kids
You can use a larger box and give each player a set number of pencils. This sets up the game to be like foosball. Setting it up on chairs can keep it stable. But it adds more competitiveness and more of a challenge this way.
Our Experience With This DIY Pinball Game
We had a lot of fun with this game. It was interesting watching each of my kids struggle and succeed. And it was also fun kind of re-experiencing a childhood game that I grew up with.
Sure it doesn’t have flashy lights and sounds like the pinball arcade games, but it was equally as fun. And I hope your kids have as much fun as mine did with this pinball game.
Materials
- Shoe Box
- 6-8 Pencils (unsharpened)
- Foam sheets with sticker backs
- Cardboard or Card Stock
- Scissors
- Marble or Bouncy Ball
- Tape
Instructions
- Cut a foam strip about 1 inch wide and 5 inches long.
- Peel the protective layer off the back of the foam and place a pencil 1/2 of the way down the length of the foam strip under the eraser.
- Fold the foam together over the pencil which will “sandwich” the cardboard strip.
- Using the scissors, push through the bottom of the shoe box creating paddles that can be controlled from below.
- At each end make a hole for the goal and outline it with tape.
Notes
If your foam doesn’t keep it’s shape you can use the cardboard or card stock to reinforce it.
Don’t push the scissors all the way through. You just want a hole big enough for your pencils.
We used sharpened pencils to shove through the box which was difficult and could cause injury while doing or playing. But hindsight is 20/20 and we definitely suggest unsharpened pencils.
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How did your DIY pinball game turn out?