I loved matching games as a child, so I made a giant lawn matching game that’s perfect for backyard parties, picnics, and beach days. It’s built from 12×12 cork tiles, so it’s portable, reusable, and durable. I made a summer-themed set and included printable stencils for all the symbols so you can recreate it easily. This outdoor game is fun for all ages — we’ve played with toddlers, teens, and grandparents — and it packs up and transports without fuss.
Supplies Needed
Materials you’ll need:
- 12×12″ cork tiles (I used 25 tiles)
- Spray paint in your chosen colors
- Free printable stencils (print on cardstock; includes 12 symbols, one bonus tile, and a back-pattern shape)
- One 12×12″ sheet of cardstock for stencil cutting
- X-Acto knife
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloth or protective paper for your workspace
- Pencil
How To Make a Giant Matching Game
Work outside or in a well-ventilated area and protect your surface. Start by spray-painting all 25 cork tiles white on one side; let them dry fully, then paint the other side white. While the tiles are drying, cut out the printable stencils: use an X-Acto knife to cut along the silhouette edges and remove the interior shapes to create stencil pieces.
Place each stencil centered on a tile and secure the edges with painter’s tape to prevent overspray. Spray the shape with your chosen color. For a full 5×5 game you’ll want two tiles of each symbol, except for the special “One More Time” tile which is unique. Be patient and let the paint cure completely before stacking or handling the tiles so the paint doesn’t remain tacky.
If you’d like a patterned back, use the lemon-wedge shape from the printable: trace it repeatedly on a 12×12 sheet of cardstock, cut out the shapes with the X-Acto knife, and use that as a stencil for backing designs. Align this stencil over the tile backs (the size should match) and spray in varied colors for a cohesive set.
After painting, allow ample drying time so the paint fully sets. Once dry, your tiles are ready to play and to be stored for future use.
How To Play
Arrange the tiles face down in a 5×5 square. Players take turns flipping two tiles at a time to try to find matches. If a player reveals the “One More Time” tile, they get an extra turn and that tile is removed from play after use.
For younger or less patient players, make a smaller version using 16 tiles (8 matching pairs) for a quicker, simpler game.
This project brought out the inner kid in everyone — matching games are ideal because they’re accessible to a wide range of ages and skill levels. We had players from preschoolers to young adults joining in the fun, and it made for a lively group activity.
All Photos by Studio DIY
This makes a thoughtful, handmade gift to bring to a backyard barbecue. If you’d rather avoid spray paint, kids can hand-paint tiles for a personalized, lower-fume project. Keep in mind that cork tiles are recommended for longevity — if you prefer a cheaper, one-time option, you can print symbols on cardstock or paint poster board squares, but those materials won’t withstand heavy outdoor use.