DIY Nerf Gun Target – Homemade Kids Game

This fun DIY Nerf Gun Target is an easy homemade kids game for indoors or outdoors use!

DIY Nerf Gun Target

Looking for another fun way to keep your kid’s busy at home?! Keeping kids busy in the summer is especially hard around here. They’re constantly asking their parents to think of something for them to do. Am I right?!

Nerf guns are a popular toy with young and even older kids. But it seems like they always end up trying to hit each other. So, I decided to make a fun target for their Nerf Guns.

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 play.

Looking for more of my DIY Kids Bedroom and Play Room Project videos? You can see them here, on my YouTube channel. 🙂

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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

• 1x3 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.

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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! 🙂

Click on the link below to download the Printable DIY Nerf Gun Target Art from my Gumroad Shop.

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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 1x3 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!

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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.

If you’re a fan of Star Wars. Check out this free printable to make your own DIY Star Wars Wood Sign Wall Art.

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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.