INSIDE : Learn how to make a custom homemade DIY Twister mat and board game for your next birthday party. Plan to have loads of good ole’ fashioned family fun with your kids!
This post may contain affiliate links. See full disclosure here.
My big girl just celebrated her 4th birthday! We went with a Sprinkle Party theme and I am excited to kick off a ‘Monday mini series’ of Sprinkle Birthday Party DIYs. Today I am sharing how to make a homemade DIY Twister game , Twister mat and DIY Twister Spinner!
I adore celebrating my babies on their birthdays and making them feel special. However, birthday parties can quickly get out of control and you can spend hundreds of dollars on decor, favors, cake, activities, etc. I went the DIY route this year and without spending much at all, I think this was one of my favorite kid’s parties to date!
This Twister Game was such an easy project and took only a quick afternoon to complete. Even though the “Sprinkle” party turned out to be more “polka dots” creating this DIY Twister game added a lot of fun to the party. And I loved that it was in the same colors as all the other decor. Looking for how to DIY your own games?
You might also be interested in my Modern Twister DIY game post.
What supplies do you need to make a DIY Twister Game?
4’x5′ Canvas Drop Cloth
Four Acrylic Paint colors
Textile Medium
Brad
Four Paint Brushes
Paper Plate
Pencil
Game Spinner
Hot Glue
And if you want to get extra fancy!!
Simple Laminator
Laminating Pouches
HOW TO MAKE DIY TWISTER:
I went the super technical approach (as I normally do, ha) and threw caution to the wind with my twister dot layout. I grabbed eight paper plates , created the outer grid and traced them onto the canvas with a pencil. Then, I drew crosses on each plate to register the center lines and traced the remaining circles onto the canvas.
If you prefer, you could certainly use a ruler or tape measure and mark out the centerline for each of your Twister polka dot spaces.
I then filled in each circle with my different shades of paint after adding in the paint medium. The paint medium helps the paint not crack when the canvas is folded or bent.
NOTE: We have kept this painted canvas for 5+ years now and it looks just as great as the day I made it!! I think a huge reason is the paint medium.
HOW TO MAKE A DIY TWISTER SPINNER:
I also designed a quick Birthday Twister Game Spinner and Twister board in Illustrator per the colors of my daughter’s party. I saved a black and white version that you can fill in with your own color preferences. Keep reading below on how to download my two versions.
It was so simple to make this fun homemade DIY twister game spinner. I simply printed out a color version of the game board and cut it down to fit on a piece of cardstock (spare cardboard would also work).
I wish I would have known about this simple laminator and laminating pouches when I made mine because our painted canvas has lasted so long and it would have been nice to still have the original spinner I made to go with it. For such a reasonable price, this laminator would have really extended the lifespan of our spinner.
However, I went the old school way and punched a hole through the center of the board and inserted a brad. Then, I hot glued a colorful straw to the top of the brad and you have yourself a DIY twister spinner. ALSO, I’ve since found these amazing game spinners that make it even easier!
I was so happy with how this DIY Twister game turned out. A fun pop of color and loads of fun!
Colorful Painted Polka Dots
I think my son just liked doing downward dog, ha.
IT’S DOWNLOAD TIME:
Sign up for my DYD Insider newsletter to receive access to my ENTIRE DYD Printable Library + this DIY ‘Twister Spinner’ printable!!!
Already a DYD Newsletter Insider? Click on over here to access the printables library using the password found at the bottom of any email I’ve sent you.
How to make a custom DIY Twister mat and game
Learn how to make a custom homemade DIY Twister mat and board game for your next birthday party. Plan to have loads of good ole’ fashioned family fun with your kids!
Materials
- 4’x5′ Canvas Drop Cloth
- Four Acrylic Paint colors
- Textile Medium
- Brad
- Four Paint Brushes
- Paper Plate
- Pencil
- Straw OR Game Spinner
- Hot Glue
- Simple Laminator
- Laminating Pouches
Instructions
- Take a few paper plates to create the outer grid placement and trace them onto the canvas with a pencil.
- Draw crosses on each plate to register the center lines and trace the remaining circles onto the canvas.
- Add in some paint medium to help with paint cracking and begin to fill in each circle with your different shades of paint.
- Download and print out my color or black + white version of the Twister Spinner board. You can laminate the board if you would like to make it last longer.
- Next, adhere it to a piece of cardstock or spare cardboard piece.
- Punch a hole through the center of the board and insert a brad and a colorful paper straw. You can also use these pre-made plastic game spinners that make it even easier!
Notes
We have kept this painted canvas for 3+ years now and it looks just as great as the day I made it! I think a huge reason is the paint medium.
Head over to the Sprinkle, 4th Birthday Party DIY post for details on
the party hats, Sprinkle Cake tips and the final reveal!
And if you are just looking for more fun party ideas, I’ve got you covered!
Modern Woodland themed Baby Shower
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this! I am wanting to try this but to make the mat bigger, as there are 7 people who would be playing. I am wondering if I made more circles on a bigger drop cloth if that would work in your opinion?
Love your idea! Thank you!
Hi, great question! Yes, I think adding more circles to a bigger cloth would be the perfect solution. Have fun!
Hi, I really like the concept here, especially getting to custom color combos. The first purchase link takes me to a two-pack of canvas drop cloths costing $15. The original version of the game only costs $10. Not really a money-saver project.
I made a simple online spinner for the game, if you feel fit, it’s a good (and free) alternative. Thanks for your tutorial!
I made an Alice in Wonderland version
I saw your pictures and that looks so fun! THANK YOU for sharing them with me!!
how did you?
Did you have any trouble with the paint coming off or getting on the clothing? Adorable project.
We’ve now had this game for a full year and not a single spec of paint has come off! It’s held up remarkably well!
Great colors and awesome job! How did you do the spinner? What did you attach it with? It looks like maybe a pencil or a paper straw? Love this idea!
Thanks so much, Olivia! For the spinner, I simply hot.glued a paper straw (with a colored tip) to a metal brad. Then I made a small hole in the twister board and inserted the brad. Done and done!
This is adorable, love the color scheme with it. I think this would work great with any party theme. Great job!
love that you can use what ever color you want it would be so fun
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
So freaking adorable! We love twister, but not once did I think to make my own and to make it match my themes. Than you so much for this idea. Pinning and sharing with my mommy friends.
Oh thank you, Natasha! It was so easy and really made a big difference for party decor!
LOVE this idea! Such fun!
So fun and pretty, too! Later down the line I could see it working as some sort of rug or curtain even (I made drop cloth curtains before and they worked great!).
Thanks, Jennifer! It would be so adorable as a rug, great idea!!
This is so cute! Great idea!
Thanks, Christine! It was so fun to make, too.