Skittles Table Game

Although the name may evoke sugary thoughts today, the game of skittles is one of the oldest pastimes still being played actively. It’s thought to have originated in medieval England as a game called either lawn skittles or alley skittles, depending on where it was being played. Over the centuries it took on a variety of forms: Irish skittles, Dutch pins, American bowling, and versions to be played indoors ranging from tabletop setups to the full-size game you see here.

To be precise, this particular style of skittles is called hood skittles — named for the hood that keeps wayward throws from breaking a glass across the room. The game consists of throwing three “cheeses” at nine pins, trying to knock down as many as possible. Bowlers should be familiar. Like a pool table or a dart board, it’s the kind of game that’s meant to be enjoyed with friends — and possibly a beer or two. The project provides a variety of woodworking: hardwood joinery at the base, shaped plywood up top, a laminated hardwood playing field, routed cheeses, and turned pins. It’s a buffet of woodworking skills, and it’s as enjoyable to make as it is to play.

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