Make Some Lava Checkers!
Make a lava-themed checkers set: decorate a board, craft molten stone and lava pieces from clay, then play to learn strategy with friends.
Step-by-step guide to make a lava-themed checkers set
Step 1
Lay out newspaper or a protective mat on your table to keep it clean.
Step 2
Use the ruler and pencil to measure and draw an 8 by 8 grid on the board.
Step 3
Paint every other square (the playable squares) with a molten stone color like gray or black.
Step 4
Paint the remaining squares with lava colors using red orange and yellow to make them look glowing.
Step 5
Let the painted board dry completely before you touch it.
Step 6
Roll 12 equal gray discs from the gray air dry clay to make the stone pieces.
Step 7
Roll 12 equal red or orange discs from the lava colored clay to make the lava pieces.
Step 8
Use a toothpick or sculpting tool to add swirls cracks or tiny lava veins to the pieces for a molten look.
Step 9
Let all the clay pieces dry fully according to the clay instructions.
Step 10
Place the 12 stone pieces and 12 lava pieces on the dark playable squares in the standard checkers starting positions.
Step 11
Play a game with a friend to practice strategy and try to capture the other side.
Step 12
Take a photo of your lava checkers set and share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find gray air-dry clay for the stone pieces?
If gray air-dry clay isn't available, use polymer clay (bake instead of air-dry), smooth pebbles painted gray, or painted bottle caps as substitutes and follow the same drying or curing step described for the clay pieces.
My paint is bleeding between squares and the grid looks messy—how can I fix it?
Use the ruler and pencil to re-mark straight 8×8 lines, apply painter's tape along the grid lines before painting every other square, and let each color dry completely between coats so the molten stone and lava colors stay crisp.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger kids have an adult draw the 8×8 grid and paint the board ahead of time and let them roll larger, thicker discs and press simple swirls, while older kids can precisely measure with the ruler, sculpt detailed cracks with a toothpick, and experiment with custom checkers rules during play.
How can we enhance or personalize our lava checkers set after it's finished?
After the painted board and clay pieces dry fully, varnish them to protect the colors, add felt or small magnets under the discs for steadier play, and take a photo of your lava checkers to share on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make a lava-themed checkers set
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Facts about clay crafts and board games for kids
♟️ Checkers (also called draughts) has been played for centuries and in 2007 the game was "solved" — perfect play from both sides leads to a draw.
🌋 Lava is what we call magma once it reaches the surface and can flow at temperatures roughly between 700–1,200 °C (1,292–2,192 °F).
🟫 A standard checkers board has 64 squares (8×8) and each player starts with 12 pieces in many common rule sets.
🧁 Polymer clay bakes hard in a home oven at low temperatures (around 110–130 °C / 230–265 °F), so it’s perfect for DIY game pieces.
🎨 To get a molten-lava look, artists often layer translucent reds and oranges over textured black bases, then add glossy varnish for shine.
