Make Playtime Fun: Dowel-Based Toys for Kids

As summer rolls in, parents everywhere start brainstorming ways to keep their kids entertained and active. The long, sunny days provide the perfect backdrop for fun-filled activities, but finding creative and engaging games can sometimes be a challenge.

At Midwest Dowel, we understand the struggle of balancing fun and safety while keeping your little ones occupied. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to five unique dowel-based games that are easy to create and perfect for enjoying with friends and family all summer long.

Dowels are a fantastic choice for children's games due to their versatility and safety. These smooth, cylindrical wooden rods are sturdy yet lightweight, making them easy for kids to handle. They can be used in a variety of ways, encouraging creativity and active play. Whether building structures, creating obstacle courses, or playing classic yard games, dowels offer endless opportunities for fun. Plus, they are durable and reusable, making them an eco-friendly option for sustainable play. 

Get ready to transform your backyard into a playground of endless possibilities with these simple yet thrilling DIY games! 

Mini Foosball Table 

Constructing a mini foosball table with dowels is a fun and engaging project that is a lively tabletop game!  

You can easily craft a miniature version of the classic game by using any wood species of our 1’x48” round dowels as the rods, small wooden figures as players, and square dowels to make a shallow box as the field.  

This DIY project not only sparks creativity during the building process but also provides endless hours of competitive play for your kids. The fast-paced action and skillful maneuvers required make it an exciting game that encourages both hand-eye coordination and teamwork. 

Wooden Ring Toss 

Creating a dowel wooden ring toss is a simple yet delightful project that brings classic carnival fun to your backyard.  

By using two of our 1”x36” square dowels as the base and a 1”x36” round dowel to connect the two square dowels, you can easily set up this timeless game. This activity is perfect for summer, as it encourages your kids to go outdoors and enjoy the sunny weather while honing their hand-eye coordination.  

The challenge of accurately tossing the rings onto the dowel posts keeps kids entertained, makes it an ideal way to spend a leisurely summer afternoon. 

Jenga Game 

Crafting a Jenga game is an exciting activity because it brings your family and friends together for an engaging and interactive game that can be played indoors or outdoors.  

To craft this game yourself, we recommend using our 1"x36” square dowels as rectangular blocks. You should cut the dowels into uniform pieces, sand the edges smoothly, and stack them in alternating layers to form the tower.  

The simple yet challenging nature of the game, where players must carefully remove and stack blocks without toppling the tower, creates an atmosphere of suspense for everyone involved. 

Wooden Kerplunk Game 

Wooden Kerplunk is an invigorating game for your kids because it combines suspense, strategy, and a bit of luck, making each turn unpredictable and exciting.

This game involves constructing a tall frame, inserting dowels through the middle to form a web, and filling the top with marbles that rest on the dowels. To make it, we suggest that you use a wooden box or frame, drill holes for the dowels, and ensure the structure is sturdy enough to hold the marbles.  Our 1-¼"x36 dowels are perfect to keep the game in place!  

This project is great for kids because it combines fun with fine motor skills and strategic thinking as players carefully remove dowels without letting the marbles fall. The anticipation and excitement of seeing who will cause the marbles to tumble make it an engaging and entertaining activity.  

Wooden Wands 

Wooden wands are an imaginative game for your children since the wands can spark their creativity and encourage role-playing adventures.  

By using our round  ⅜”x 12” dowels, your kids can easily craft their own wands by decorating them with paint, glitter, and other embellishments to personalize their magical tools.  

Once the wands are made, they can take them outdoors and engage in imaginative play, casting spells, and creating their own fantasy worlds. This activity not only fosters creativity and storytelling but also provides a fun and active way for children to enjoy the outdoors. 

Enjoy Dowel-Based Games with Midwest Dowel 

At Midwest Dowel, we are proud to provide high-quality wood products that can transform your summer into a season filled with fun and creativity for your children.  

Whether you're building a Mini Foosball Table, a Wooden Ring Toss, a Dowel Jenga game, or even crafting magical wooden wands, our dowels are the perfect foundation for endless hours of imaginative play. These DIY projects not only keep your kids entertained but also encourage their creativity, strategic thinking, and outdoor activity.  

We are delighted to help you create lasting memories and joyful moments with your family through these simple yet exciting dowel-based games. 

Ready to make your own dowel-based game this summer? Click here to shop Midwest Dowel today!  

For more DIY wood dowel tips, follow Midwest Dowel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Happy with the Midwest Dowel difference? Leave us a five-star review here!