Fun for all ages and genders! Handmade Mölkky ideas
Mölkky is a game born in Finland, and the number of players is steadily increasing in Japan.
You throw a wooden Mölkky stick at targets called skittles, which look like bowling pins and have numbers written on them, and you score points either by the value of the number on the skittle you hit or by the number of skittles knocked down.
It doesn’t require much physical exertion, and depending on how you play, you can even do it indoors while seated, so anyone can enjoy it regardless of age or gender.
Mölkky equipment is sold online and elsewhere, but some people may want to enjoy it while spending as little money as possible.
In this article, we’ll introduce DIY ideas for making your own Mölkky set.
Use these tips as a reference and give it a try!
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Fun for all ages and genders! Handmade Mölkky ideas (1–10)
Paper Cup Mölkky
Mölkky, a simple Finnish game that anyone can enjoy.
Here’s a quick DIY version using paper cups so you can start playing on the spot, even while camping.
Fill the bottom paper cups with stones or similar to add weight, place another paper cup on top with numbers written on it, and secure them with tape to make substitutes for the wooden pins (skittles).
You can use a ball as a substitute for the throwing Mölkky stick.
It’s easier to play when the weight balance between the Mölkky and the skittles feels right, so adjust the size of the ball and the amount of stones you put in the cups.
Sponge Mölkky
Mölkky using sponge rods instead of wood—because they’re light, it becomes a game that really tests delicate control.
The way the lined-up sponges fall also changes a lot depending on what you throw at them, so let’s think that through carefully as we design it.
It seems best to first have players check how the sponges topple as a way to get used to the game, and then move on to the real match.
Preparing several types of throwing objects and letting players freely choose among them could also make the tactical mind games more enjoyable.
Milk carton Mölkky
Mölkky has become popular across all ages recently, and you can make both the skittles and the throwing pin out of milk cartons.
First, wash and dry the cartons, then roll them up horizontally to use.
Cut them diagonally, staple the seams, and paste papers numbered 1 to 12 on the outside to reinforce them.
It’s also easier to see if you put numbers on the inner, triangular-cut faces.
For the throwing Mölkky pin, don’t cut it diagonally—just keep it rolled.
Milk cartons have thicker paper, so they’re better suited than other types of paper.
Give it a try!
Fun for all ages and genders! Handmade Mölkky ideas (11–20)
Animal-pattern Mölkky
When you think of the look of Mölkky, it’s usually simple—just numbers written on the pins, with the rest left as bare wood.
Why not make use of those undecorated wooden areas and draw animal illustrations in each blank space? It would add a cute overall touch, and it might also make it easier to give quick advice on which pin to aim for next.
The only tricky part is that you’ll be drawing illustrations on curved surfaces—this might be where the artist’s skill is put to the test.
Colorfully Painted Mölkky
This idea takes Mölkky—which is often seen as a simple-looking game with numbers written on wooden pins—and makes it even more fun by painting it in bright colors.
Just adding color changes the look, and it feels like the game could become more exciting.
Since color perception can affect how easy a pin is to aim at, it’s a good idea to choose your colors with that in mind.
You could play with team-colored Mölkky sets, or assign colors by number to make target areas clearer—there are plenty of ways to use this approach.
Molkky made by wrapping paper around a piece of wood
Mölkky has numbers written on a surface that’s cut at an angle—this distinctive shape can be a tricky point to prepare when making a set by hand.
How about a simple method that solves that preparation challenge: just wrap the wood with paper printed with numbers? By changing the paper design, you can enjoy Mölkky sets with various looks and easily update their appearance.
Also, since the wood inside is wrapped and less visible, you can experiment with materials and adjust the weight, which could add strategic depth to the game.
Square Mölkky made from firewood
This is about deliberately making Mölkky—strongly associated with cylindrical pins—out of square pieces of wood, taking into account how easily they topple.
The key is that the square shape makes them harder to knock down, which heats up the strategy and mind games over where to aim.
You can match the standard Mölkky shape to keep it classic, but intentionally varying the thickness will increase the gameplay depth—highly recommended.
You might also prioritize design by charring the wood for color or being particular about how you write the numbers.