Make Your Own Scrabble Tiles

These Scrabble tiles are a HUGE HIT in my local area. My parents and I worked together to make hundreds of scrabble tiles in the last couple of years for families and friends. I LOVE seeing these personalized tiles on their walls. They brought so many smiles to the people we made them for. Here’s exactly how we did it! If you have any questions about how we make them or anything that I haven’t mentioned please comment and ask!

Prep or Buy the Tiles

Our tiles are 3.5 x 3.5 so we used 1x4s and cut them to 3.5 inches. You can also buy tiles on amazon HERE if you don’t want to mess with cutting your own. Disclaimer: I totally cheat and my dad cuts and stains my tiles. We’re a team! Otherwise, I’d probably buy them. The ones I linked are only 3×3 so make sure you adjust accordingly if you’re going to use my other sizes. The tiles can be whatever size you want. We found that the easiest way to stain the boards was to do it before we cut the scrabble tiles! Then, after the tiles are cut, sand and stain the ends so everything is the same color and smooth. To give a light seal to the tiles, we sprayed them with Mod Podge spray on all sides.

Make Your Layout

Now that the tiles are prepped, you need to figure out what names or words you’re going to use for your layout! There are a few ways to make your grid. You can be creative and write it out on a piece of paper to make your own unique grid layout OR you can use this fancy, free crossword puzzle maker and it will give you a few different options depending on the names/words you give it. Here’s the link for the crossword puzzle maker. I find that it is easier to do this part on my phone! You type in the names that you want to use, scroll down and click done. It will show you a sample grid. If you click rearrange, it will scramble them up. Here are some examples

I love my CRICUT!

Now that you’ve got a layout picked out, count up the letters needed and open up whatever design software you use for your cutting machine. I use Cricut Design Space and my Cricut to cut the vinyl. You could also paint your letters freehand or use a stencil if you don’t have a cutting machine.

In Cricut Design Space I made my letters 2.5 inches tall using the font Opposites Attract. For the numbers, I used Century Schoolbook at .75 inches. I have a Cricut Maker and I use Cricut vinyl as well. I LOVE my 12×24 maps for the vinyl so that I can get the most letters on one sheet.

Putting Everything Together for your Scrabble Tiles

After you’ve cut out your numbers and letters, simply stick them to each tile. Lastly, we add another coat of Mod Podge to the tiles, this time brushing it on to make a nice thick layer to make sure the letters are sealed on! I always recommend using command strips to hang tiles. I use the medium command strips and I cut them in half. That way, you’re doubling your use of the strips and you’re not putting a bunch of holes in your walls trying to hang these babies up!

The pictures below of Olivia are from a year or two ago! She still loves helping me set out layouts to take the last look before we bag them up for their new home. It is something that we’ve done together that’s a lot of fun.

If you’re in a crafty mood and you need some new decor in your house, these scrabble tiles are definitely the way to go! Also, check out my post on the Beachy Wine Bottle Decor. Both of these projects make great gifts too! Let me know what you think of my tiles. My next scrabble tile project will be on my dad’s new CNC machine as soon as I can figure out how to work the programming! HAHA