This fun DIY Nerf Gun Target is an easy homemade kids game for indoors or outdoors use!
Looking for another fun way to keep your kid’s busy?! You can build this DIY Nerf Gun Target from Wood or 1/2″ Foam Board. It’s a great homemade kids game for indoors and outdoors.
Looking for more of my DIY Kids Bedroom and Play Room Project videos? You can see them here, on my YouTube channel. 🙂
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. AFFILIATES HELP YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS DELIVER FREE CONTENT. Read the full disclaimer here.
Watch the DIY Nerf Gun Target Build Video
Seeing someone do something always helps me understand the DIY better. Watch this 5-minute video for a better look at each step.
Here’s What You’ll Need
- 1×3 Cedar and 1/4″ Luan Plywood OR 1/2″ Foam Board
- Glue Gun & Sticks
- Dowel that fits loosely inside a straw
- Craft wood and wide ribbon for targets
- Matte Mod Podge
- Wood Filler and Wood Glue
I used Danish Oil to seal and prime my wood frame. Then painted the front and dry brushed the sides with Magnolia Homes by Kilz color Demo Day.
Hello, DIY friends! You can download the DIY Nerf Gun Target Printable Art I made here. This printable art is currently free to email subscribers and for personal use only. It cannot be shared or sold without my permission. Please let me know if you have any questions and enjoy your build! 🙂
Steps to Do This DIY At Home
Please Note: You can see me do the steps for this DIY Nerf Gun Target build in the video above.
To make this from 1/2″ foam board, you’ll have to cut the pieces with an exacto knife (or similar) and glue them together. This article on the 6 Top Glues for Foam Board should help.
Step One
Cut your 1×3 lumber pieces for the frame. My frame is 24″ x 32″. So, I used 2 – 32″ long boards and 2 – 22 1/2″ long boards.
Step Two
Use wood glue and a brad nailer to assemble the frame. Or, you can use corner brackets and screws, if you don’t have a brad nailer.
Step Three
Then cut your 1/4″ Luan Plywood to size and glue and brad nail that to the frame. If the 1/4″ plywood hangs a little over the frame, you can trim it with a box knife (in video).
Step Four
Once the glue dries, mark and cut the circles for your targets. Then, sand all of the edges and corners smooth with 150-grit, or similar. Use wood filler on the nail holes and anywhere else that needs it. Let that dry, then sand again.
Step Five
Dust off the DIY Nerf Gun Target with a damp cloth or tack cloth. Then, stain, prime, and/or paint the target with your favorite finish. Once that dries, you can Mod Podge the printable art pieces on to the front. Mod Podge the whole front to keep an even sheen across the front. Let that dry, then use a second coat of Mod Podge for extra durability.
Step Six
Now for the fun, use some craft wood stars and circles and some ribbon to make some smaller targets. I hot glued all of my targets on. It holds up really well, but it is also possible to remove something that is hot glued (in case you need to tweak the design).
I used leftover 1/4″ plywood from cutting out the holes to make the star and circle targets. Those are hot glued to 2″ long piece of a McDonalds straw. That straw was big enough to spin freely on a dowel I had in the garage. Sorry, I’m not exactly sure what size it is. I’d say, slightly smaller than a pencil.
I hot glued a small, heavy nut to the back, bottom of those targets to hold it straight up and down when it’s not moving. Getting the balance and weight on those pieces right may take some testing and practice with the Nerf Gun. Luckily, that hot glue makes changing things pretty easy. Once it’s perfectly balanced add more hot glue to hold it in place long-term. 🙂
More Pictures of this Homemade Kids Game
That’s it for the build. Here’s a few more pictures of my DIY Nerf Gun Target to show you how it looks!
Looking for more fun Homemade Kids Games and DIY Playsets? Check out this DIY Wooden Kids Play Kitchen with a real working sink!
Or, this easy DIY Kids Play Tent from PVC Pipes.
We love this DIY Play Animal Doctor Office Too. Build Plans and Printable Signs Available.
Here’s a fun build for your back yard – How to Make a Kids Climbing Ramp or Wall.
Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve seen this DIY Nerf Gun Target tutorial, you can do it too. Let me know if you have questions about making this Homemade Kids Game. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.
That is a really fun idea. I would like to make one with the kids this summer.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks! They’ll love making it with you.
this looks like so much fun the boys should love it… in fact the girls should love it and if we all love it then it will help burn up time and keep all out of trouble
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Angie! It definitely keeps my boys busy. 🙂
Ok, so this is just brilliant! If it stops them shooting at you or your precious and favourite plants in the garden for 5 minutes then that has to be a win! Really fun for the kids to help build themselves too, making it doubly brilliant!
LOL, sounds like you have some experience with this too. There must be some way to get them to stop destroying things. 😉
This looks fabulous! My boys would have LOVED something like this when they were younger. Pinning for ideas for my nieces and nephews.
Great! Thanks so much, Joanne.
What a fun activity for the kids! My kids used to love playing with nerf guns when they were young! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Thanks so much, Roseann!