Making your own DIY dice tray can add a personal touch to your gaming setup, offering both functionality and style. With 15 easy DIY dice tray ideas to explore, this guide provides you with diverse options to craft a piece that not only meets your gaming needs but also reflects your personal taste. From selecting the right materials to adding the final touches, each step is broken down to ensure your crafting process is as smooth as possible.
Embarking on a project like making a dice tray can be a rewarding experience. This guide is designed to assist crafters of all skill levels in designing a tray that’s not only practical but also enhances their gaming experience. The subsequent sections dive into the details of materials choice, construction methods, and customization options, ensuring your finished product is something you’re proud to display and use. Ready to get started? Let’s move on to learning why making your own DIY dice tray could be your next favorite project.
Why Make Your Own DIY Dice Tray?
Making a DIY dice tray is not just a crafty endeavor it’s a practical solution to several common problems faced game enthusiasts. Here’s why you consider making one:
- Prevent Dice Chaos: A dice tray confines the roll to a specific area, preventing dice from scattering across the table or onto the floor, which can disrupt the game and be a nuisance to retrieve.
- Protect Your Games: Dice can sometimes be thrown with enthusiasm, potentially damaging the game board or pieces. A tray with soft lining absorbs the impact, safeguarding your precious game components.
- Noise Reduction: The clatter of dice can be disruptive, especially on hard surfaces. A tray lined with felt or foam significantly reduces noise, making a more pleasant gaming environment.
- Personalization: Crafting your own tray means you can tailor it to your aesthetic preferences. Whether it’s a particular color scheme, a game-themed design, or your initials, your dice tray can be as unique as your gaming style.
- Cost-Effective: Instead of purchasing an expensive commercial tray, using materials you may already have at home or can buy cheaply, a DIY dice tray can be made at a fraction of the cost.
- Crafting Satisfaction: There’s a special sense of pride in using something you’ve made with your own hands. It adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your gaming sessions.
By taking on a DIY dice tray project, you not only end up with a functional item but also enjoy the creative process and the personalized touch it adds to your gaming experiences.
How to Make Your Own DIY Dice Tray
Making a DIY dice tray is a fantastic project for board game enthusiasts and crafters alike. It’s a practical addition to your gaming sessions, ensuring dice don’t scatter everywhere, protecting your game pieces, and adding a personal touch to your gaming setup. Below is a step-by-step guide to making a simple yet elegant dice tray that will elevate your gaming experience.
Choosing Your Materials
The first step in making your DIY dice tray is to decide on the materials. You have a few options here, each offering its own aesthetic and feel:
- Wood: Ideal for a classic, sturdy tray. You can use repurposed wood or buy a pre-made wooden box.
- Picture Frames: An excellent budget-friendly option. Opt for deeper frames to keep dice from rolling out.
- Leather or Faux Leather: Perfect for a foldable, portable tray.
- Crafting Foam or Felt: These materials will line the bottom of your tray to reduce noise and protect your dice.
Building the Tray
Using a Wooden Box or Picture Frame
- Prepare the Base: If you’re using a wooden box, sand down any rough edges for a smooth finish. For picture frames, remove the glass and any backing material.
- Add a Soft Lining: Cut crafting foam or felt to fit the bottom of your box or frame. This lining helps to cushion dice rolls, reducing noise and preventing damage to both dice and tray. Glue it down neatly.
- Decorate: Personalize your tray by painting the exterior or adding decorative elements that match your gaming style or the theme of your favorite game.
Making a Foldable Leather Tray
- Cut Your Material: Measure and cut your leather or faux leather into a square or rectangle, depending on the size of the tray you desire.
- Form the Sides: To build sides that can be easily folded, attach snap buttons at the corners of your material. This way, you can snap the corners together to form the tray’s sides when in use and unsnap them to lay flat for storage.
Final Touches
- Customization: Consider adding more personalized touches, such as stamping, burning, or painting your initials, logos, or favorite game symbols onto the tray.
- Protection: Apply a clear sealant to wooden trays to protect the paint and wood from wear and tear.
- Storage: If you made a tray with additional space, like using a deeper box, you could add small compartments for storing dice or game pieces.
By following these simple steps and using materials that resonate with your style, you’ll have a functional and stylish addition to your gaming table that’s sure to impress your fellow gamers.
FAQs About DIY Dice Trays
Explore our comprehensive FAQs about DIY dice trays to enhance your gaming experience. Find answers to all your questions here!
What materials do I need to build a DIY dice tray?
To build a DIY dice tray, you’ll need a few basic materials. These can include:
- Wood or a wooden box for a classic, sturdy tray.
- Picture frames for an easy, budget-friendly option.
- Leather or faux leather if you’re aiming for a foldable, portable tray.
- Crafting foam or felt to line the bottom of the tray, reducing noise and protecting the dice.
- Decorative elements like paint, stain, or personal logos for customization.
How can I customize my DIY dice tray?
Customization options for your dice tray are nearly limitless. Here are a few suggestions:
- Paint or Stain: Choose colors that match your personal style or the theme of your favorite game.
- Personal Logos or Monograms: Add a personal touch with your initials, logos, or symbols related to your favorite games.
- Decorative Lining: Use felt or foam in colors that complement or contrast with the tray itself for a striking effect.
Can I make a portable dice tray?
Yes, a foldable leather or faux leather tray is a great portable option. By attaching snap buttons at the corners, you can easily fold the tray for transportation and snap it into shape when you’re ready to play.
How can I reduce the noise made by dice in the tray?
To reduce the noise, line the bottom of your dice tray with a soft material. Crafting foam or felt are excellent choices for absorbing the sound of rolling dice, making for a more pleasant gaming experience.
What are some budget-friendly ideas for making a dice tray?
A budget-friendly dice tray can be made using simple materials like:
- Old picture frames or shadow boxes, which can be found inexpensively at thrift stores.
- Upcycled materials like wooden boxes or bed slats.
- DIY felt or foam lining, which is much cheaper than commercial alternatives.
How can I ensure my dice stay within the tray during games?
To keep dice from rolling out, consider the following:
- Use deeper frames or boxes to build high sides.
- Add a lip or border around the edge if you’re crafting the tray from scratch.
- Choose a tray size appropriate for your gaming table to ensure it’s large enough to contain the dice but not so large that it becomes cumbersome.
Is it necessary to seal or finish my wooden dice tray?
While not strictly necessary, applying a clear sealant or wood finish can protect the paint and wood from wear and tear, extending the life of your dice tray. It can also give the wood a more polished, professional look.
By tackling a DIY dice tray project, you not only gain a functional gaming accessory but also the satisfaction of crafting something unique and tailored to your gaming style. With these tips and ideas, you’re well on your way to making a dice tray that enhances your gaming sessions while expressing your personal flair.
15 DIY Dice Tray Ideas
Discover the top 15 DIY dice tray ideas for your next gaming session. Get creative with unique designs and materials. Boost your tabletop experience now!
1. Handmade Slats Dice Tray
Are you keen on crafting with reclaimed materials and have an interest in woodworking projects? Instructables offers a unique project for making a Slats Dice Tray using upcycled bed slats. This guide provides a budget-friendly way to build a durable and aesthetically pleasing dice tray.
Perfect for board game enthusiasts or anyone looking to test their DIY skills, this project turns simple bed slats into a useful and attractive gaming accessory. With clear instructions, it’s easy to follow along and build a piece that’s both functional and stylish, making it an excellent addition to any game night. Explore Instructables to get started on your Slats Dice Tray today and add a personal touch to your gaming collection.
2. How to Make a Dice Tray
Making your own DIY dice tray is a great way to enhance your gaming experience. FauxHammer‘s guide offers step-by-step instructions to craft a large, customizable dice tray, perfect for a range of board games and wargaming sessions. With simple materials like an IKEA Ribba frame and craft felt, you can prevent dice from knocking over game pieces or falling off the table.
Customize your tray with your choice of felt color and add a personal touch to your gaming setup. The guide is easy to follow, ensuring a satisfying project outcome that’s both useful and visually appealing. Get ready to roll in style with your very own handmade dice tray.
3. Cheap and Easy DIY RPG Dice Tray
If you’re keen on making a DIY RPG Dice Tray without breaking the bank, Instructables offers a straightforward guide that caters to your crafting aspirations. Engage in this hands-on project that enhances your table gaming experience by keeping dice rolls in check, especially on smaller tables.
You’ll need simple materials such as a wooden box, disposable chopsticks, air-dry clay, a synthetic doormat, and some paint—all of which can be found at your local dollar store. The instructions are clear, and the process is fun, allowing for a personalized touch to your gaming setup. With a cost-effective approach and creative freedom, you’ll construct a stylish and functional dice tray in no time.
4. Making a Tabletop Gaming Dice Tray
Making your own tabletop gaming dice tray adds a personalized touch to your gaming sessions. Nerdophiles‘ tutorial by Katie Cardwell offers step-by-step instructions to craft a unique dice tray from an old cigar box, complete with a list of supplies and helpful tips. With an emphasis on simplicity and customization, this guide ensures a satisfying DIY experience.
Sand, stain, and felt your way to a custom gaming accessory that showcases your style and dedication to the craft. The process is budget-friendly and provides an opportunity to repurpose materials for an eco-conscious project. Join the ranks of proud creators with your handmade dice tray that’s sure to impress at any game night.
5. Homemade Collapsible Dice Trays
Discover the joy of crafting your very own collapsible dice trays with Buttons and Kittens‘ simple and engaging tutorial. Ideal for board game enthusiasts who wish to safeguard their tables and keep dice from scattering, this guide provides clear instructions for making no-sew and sewn versions.
Learn how to select the perfect scuba knit fabric and add snaps for a sturdy, transport-friendly tray. With helpful sewing tips and snap placement advice, even those with minimal crafting experience can successfully complete this project. Make a protective, stylish dice tray for your next game night that’s both functional and personalized.
6. Easy Dice Tray for Your Gaming Table
Tired of dice rolling off your gaming table? Makezine for Makers offers a clever solution: a homemade dice tray. With just a simple picture frame and a few materials, you can build a stylish and functional tray to keep your dice in check. A shadow box frame works best for its deep sides, and lining it with felt or cork not only looks great but also reduces noise.
Add a personal touch by decorating the surface with themed art. For an even more unique twist, try repurposing inexpensive wall clocks or wooden craft boxes into customized trays that match the spirit of your game nights. Follow these easy, engaging steps to craft your own dice-rolling haven and say goodbye to runaway dice.
7. DIY $5 Dice Tray to Build
Elevate your gaming experience with a DIY $5 Dice Tray, a budget-friendly and creative project perfect for tabletop gamers. Using basic materials like a $3 wooden canvas from Dollarama, metallic bronze craft paint, and common crafting supplies like glue and paint, this guide shows you how to transform simple items into a stylish, functional dice tray.
The project involves carving dwarven runes for a personalized touch, spray paint for a sleek finish, and lining the tray with velvet paper for an elegant look. Ideal for both gaming sessions and as a unique gift, this DIY dice tray not only enhances your gaming setup but also adds a personal flair to your tabletop adventures. Craft this exquisite piece for under $5 and roll your dice in style!
8. How to Make Dice Tray from Frame
Crafting a soft rolling dice tray at home can be a satisfying DIY project for tabletop gaming enthusiasts. OnTableTop offers a creative guide by darkdanegan, detailing how to convert a simple mouse mat and box photo frame into a smooth and elegant dice tray. With just a few affordable materials, including a mouse mat from Amazon and a discounted box frame from Hobbycraft, you can build a personalized accessory for your gaming sessions.
The step-by-step instructions, complemented by a splash of paint and varnish for a polished finish, ensure a unique and functional piece for rolling dice in style. Ideal for games like Fallout: Wasteland Warfare, this homemade dice tray enhances any tabletop game experience.
9. Make Your Own Dice Tray
Ready To Role‘s DIY Dice Tray guide is a creative project that offers tabletop gamers a simple and affordable way to craft their very own dice tray. With clear instructions and a minimal list of supplies, anyone can personalize their gaming setup. The guide walks readers through each step, from tracing and cutting the felt to the final touches with a Sharpie.
The process is quick, easy to understand, and highly rewarding. Not only does this enhance the gaming experience, but it also adds a unique, handmade touch to game nights. Crafting a dice tray can be a fun activity that results in a useful and eye-catching addition to your gaming accessories.
10. DIY D&D Dice Tray
Crafting a DIY D&D Dice Tray is an engaging project for fans of the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. Imgur user Snyderk87 showcases a simple and cost-effective method to build a functional dice tray, perfect for ensuring your dice rolls don’t stray during gameplay. The project begins with an affordable wooden “book” box, transformed with creativity and some DIY skills into a custom accessory for your gaming table.
The shared images and descriptions inspire crafters to make their personalized version, enhancing their gaming experience with a handmade touch. For those passionate about D&D and looking for a satisfying project, making your dice tray can add a unique flair to your next adventure.
11. How to Build a Dice Tray
Making your own DIY dice tray can elevate your gaming experience with a personalized touch. At Open Legend Community, a fellow enthusiast shares their step-by-step process for crafting a stylish and functional dice tray. Start with a plain wood tray from a craft store and gather self-adhesive foam sheets, stiffened felt, polyurethane clear gloss, tacky glue, sandpaper, and wax paper.
The key highlight is the image transfer technique, using reversed images printed on wax paper and then pressed onto wood for a customized look. Once the image is set, seal it with polyurethane and line the tray with foam and felt for a soft dice-rolling surface. Follow these instructions for a unique tray that will make your dice rolls even more spectacular.
12. Making a Folding Dice Tray
Make a stylish and portable DIY Folding Dice Tray, perfect for enhancing your tabletop gaming experience. This project uses easily available materials like leather or faux leather, screw studs, and dense cardboard, ensuring flexibility and durability. Measuring at least 5×5 inches, with a sturdy board at its core, this tray protects your table and keeps dice in place.
The tutorial guides you through each step, from cutting and gluing to adding screw studs for a collapsible design. Ideal for gamers seeking a custom, space-saving accessory, this DIY Folding Dice Tray combines functionality with a touch of personal flair. Get ready to roll in style!
13. Wyrmwood Purpleheart Dice Tray
Enhance your tabletop gaming experience with the Wyrmwood Purpleheart Dice Tray and Dice Vault, meticulously reviewed by Gavin Sheehan on Bleeding Cool News. Known for their craftsmanship, Wyrmwood Gaming offers a luxurious and durable dice rolling solution with their wider-based dice tray, perfect for spacious table setups.
Crafted from the exquisite Peltogyne wood, known for its rich purple hue, the tray features a divided design with a dedicated dice storage area and a premium oiled leather rolling surface resilient to wear and tear from dice of all types. The accompanying Dice Vault, constructed from matching wood, holds a variety of dice sets securely with the help of a felt-lined interior and strong magnets.
These products promise not only a sleek aesthetic but also practicality for dedicated gamers, albeit with a price reflecting their quality. With options for different budgets, Wyrmwood’s offerings cater to those who value exceptional design and longevity in their gaming accessories.
14. DIY Octagon Dice Tray
For crafting enthusiasts keen on woodworking, BoardGameGeek‘s DIY Dice Trays guide offers a step-by-step process to build your own themed dice trays. From selecting planks and precise cutting, to sanding, waxing, and assembling with custom neoprene bases, this resource provides valuable insights to help you produce well-crafted gaming accessories. With a total project time of approximately 6 hours and an estimated cost of 40€, these hand-made trays can add a personal touch to your gaming setup. Dive into this helpful guide for an engaging and rewarding DIY experience.
15. Handmade Dice Tray
Making a DIY dice tray for your Dungeons & Dragons games adds a personal touch to your gaming sessions. At Imgur, you can find inspiration from fellow crafters like ManuelFervenza, who share their projects. A dice tray not only keeps your rolls contained but also enhances the table’s aesthetic.
The process involves sanding, varnishing, and designing, which can be a satisfying project for crafting enthusiasts. A well-made dice tray is not just a tool; it’s a treasure that could become a cherished part of your gaming tradition. Follow the simple steps outlined by creative minds on Imgur to craft your unique dice tray.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, our journey to learn how to make a dice tray, covering 15 DIY dice tray ideas, provides you with a diverse range of creative solutions to enhance your gaming experience. Whether it’s choosing the perfect materials, constructing a sturdy base, or applying the final creative touches, each step offers an opportunity to craft a piece that is uniquely yours. As you embark on this crafting adventure, remember that the joy lies not just in the finished product, but in the process of creation itself. Dive into these DIY dice tray ideas and let your creativity lead the way to a more personalized and enjoyable gaming setup.