How to Make a Bottle-Cap Opener Game

Liven up your next yard party with this Plinko-inspired game where falling bottle caps decide the outcome.

Related To:

How to Make a Bottle Cap Game 01:10

Liven up your next party with this Plinko-style game where bottle caps decide your fate.

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Time: 1/2 day
Estimated Cost: $130

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Tools and Materials

(1) 1x3 x 8'
(1) 1x2 x 8'
(1) 19-1/2" x 11" Plexiglass
1-3/4" roofing nails with neoprene washers
exterior screws
drill
ready-cut craft board or 1" plywood at 18" x 24"
chalk paint

white exterior-grade paint-and-primer-all-in-one
two shades of exterior-grade paint-and-primer-all-in-one (sample sizes should be enough)
paintbrush
painter's tape
speed square or T-square
graph paper
hammer
bottle opener

Step 1: Cut Plywood

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Cut 1" plywood to 18” x 24”. To make it easier, we used a ready-made craft board.

Step 2: Paint Upper Section

Gary Payne

Photo By: Gary Payne

Measure roughly 8” from the bottom of the craft board and draw a horizontal line using a speed square or T-square. Run painter’s tape along the line and paint the bigger part of the board (the 16-inch section) with white paint.

Step 3: Paint Bottom Section

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

When the white paint is dry, move the painter’s tape up to the bottom of the white paint and fill in the bottom section using a black chalkboard paint. Remove painter’s tape when the paint is dry.

Step 4: Make Outer Frame

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Use 1x3s to make the frame. Cut two boards to 23-1/4” (sides) and two boards to 18” (top and bottom).

Step 5: Make Bottom Tray

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Use 1x2s to make the dividers and the bottom tray where the bottle caps will land. Cut two pieces to 3-1/2” for the sides. Cut one board to 19-1/2” for the front of the tray. For the dividers, cut four boards to 8-1/2”.

Step 6: Paint

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Paint the frame and tray pieces one color and the dividers a different color.

Step 7: Assemble

Gary Payne

Photo By: Gary Payne

Attach the 1x3s to the side of the plywood leaving an excess of 3/4” on the bottom, this is where the side extensions for the tray will go. Predrill to prevent the wood from splitting and then fasten with exterior-grade screws. Attach the 3-1/2” side extensions to the bottom. Attach the bottom 1x3 piece to the face of the plywood and the side extensions. Last, attach the 1x2 lip piece on top of the side extensions.

Step 8: Prep Nails

Gary Payne

Photo By: Gary Payne

Move the rubber ring on the roofing nails to 1-1/4” away from the head of the nail. This will make sure all the nails are level across the board when you hammer them into place. Optional: spray-paint the nails and let dry.

Step 9: Hammer Nails

Gary Payne

Photo By: Gary Payne

To make it easy, use a piece of graph paper as a guide to lay out the nails. Place the nails about an inch apart, enough so a bottle cap can slip through. Then stagger the next line of nails a 1/2” off the previous line. Hammer the nails in place until the rubber ring sits flush against the plywood. Tear out the graph paper and discard.