5 Easy-to-Tackle Artificial Turf Tailgating Projects

Score a touchdown before kickoff with this game-day-approved tailgating decor.

DIY Tailgate Decor With Artificial Turf
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Show: HGTV Happy

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Football season is upon us. More importantly, tailgating season is upon us. Sure, the crisp fall air filled with the heavenly smell of 1,000 BBQs and the excitement of what is essentially a massive, all-day block party is a rush already, but we think we’ve got what it takes to up your tailgating experience to the next level.

Tic-Tac-Touchdown

To create the tic-tac-toe board, start by laying out a 3-foot by 3-foot piece of artificial turf. With a measuring tape and a paint pen, make marks at 11, 12, 23 and 24 inches. Using a yard stick as your guide, vertically tape downward from each mark, positioning your tape on the outside edge of each mark. Paint white stripes between the tape with acrylic craft paint and a narrow roller. Once painted, pull the tape, rotate the turf and repeat each step on the next side, creating the tic-tac-toe grid pattern.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

Double-down on the football theme by customizing ordinary bean bags with yard-line-inspired artwork. To do this, use a stencil with a font similar to a football field’s yard line font and paint your tic-tac-toe X's and O's with the white acrylic paint. Allow to dry, and then it’s time to play!

An Astroturf Tic Tac Toe Board Sitting On the Ground

A Tic Tac Toe Board Made From Artificial Turf

This Tic Tac Toe board is made of astroturf with a painted grid. It is the perfect game for a tailgate party.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

Running-Back Table Runner

Begin by measuring the length and width of your table. Use scissors to cut a piece of artificial turf 6 inches longer and wider than your table's measurements. On each long side, use a paint pen to mark every 5 inches. Run painter’s tape across the width of the turf, placing two pieces in each 5-inch section and leaving a gap in between them. Once the painter’s tape is in place, use white acrylic paint and a narrow roller to paint the narrow gaps between the tape. Once the paint has dried, pull the tape and your table runner is game-day ready.

Tailgating Tables With Astroturf Table Runners and Pendants

A Tailgate Setup With Artificial Turf Decorations

This tailgating setup is festively decorated with decor made from astroturf. The table runner looks like a football field and the banner looks like yard lines.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

Winning Pennant Banner

Using a measuring tape and paint pen, mark an approximately 15-inch-long piece of artificial turf widthwise at 4 inches and 8 inches. Use a straightedge to trace a line downward from the 4-inch mark. Form a triangle pennant shape by tracing angled lines from the zero point and the 8-inch mark to the bottom of the initial traced line. Use yard-line inspired stencils to trace a “1” on one side of the center line and a “0” on the other to create the look of a 10-yard line. Finish the look off by making five smaller marks across the top on each side of the center line.

Once the paint pen has dried, use a pick to punch holes in each top corner and string your ribbon through. Repeat until your desired number of pennants are completed, increasing the yard line number by 10 on each pennant.

A Football Field Pennant Banner Made From Astroturf

A Yard Line Pennant Banner Perfect for Tailgating

This pennant banner is cut out of astroturf and has yard line numbers stamped on. It looks great against the red tablecloth on the tailgating table.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

Perfect-Catch Can Sleeve

On a scrap piece of artificial turf, use a ruler and paint pen to mark 10 inches across and 4 inches down. Use the ruler to trace a line from each point until the two lines meet. Use scissors to cut the turf along the lines. Stick hook-and-loop tape on the artificial turf, placing one side on the turf side and one on the back so turf creates a cylinder when joined. To finish off the sleeve and keep with the theme, place a stick-on football in the center of the turf side. All that’s left is to wrap your finished project around your favorite beverage and enjoy!

Astroturf Can Sleeves With Football Decor Touches

A Bowl Full of Cans Wrapped in Astroturf Can Sleeves

These cans are tailgate-ready with their astroturf can sleeves. The DIY sleeves are made even more festive with the addition of football-inspired stickers.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

Bowl-Game Dip Bowl Sleeve

Measure your desired dip container’s height and circumference. Use a ruler, paint pen and scissors to measure, mark and cut a piece of artificial turf to the container’s dimensions, adding an inch or two to the circumference for overlap. On each side of the turf, use the paint pen to make yard line marks, marking every fifth mark longer. Complete the sleeve by sticking on the design of your choice.

We chose to spell out the word “DIP” in bold, red letters. Join the two ends together with hot glue and hold tightly until it cools. Show your work off by sliding in your favorite dip at every game this season!

A Bowl Sleeve Made From Artificial Turf on a Table

An Artificial Turf Tailgate Dip Bowl Sleeve

This tailgating-inspired dip bowl sleeve is made out of artificial turf. The turf is drawn on to look like a football field and has the word "DIP" written across the front.

Photo by: Cassidy Garcia

Cassidy Garcia

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Create the perfect tailgating activity with this cute and quick washer toss game tutorial.

How to Make a Tailgate Tic Tac Toe Table

Entertain your tailgate guests with this quick and easy tic tac toe table that is fun for the whole family!

Your New Go-To Pea-co de Gallo Recipe

Late summer is prime tomato season and also the only time of year you'll find fresh field peas at your local grocery store or farmer's market. Load up now, and freeze what you don't use so you can serve this healthy twist on a classic salsa for the rest of the year. If you absolutely can't find fresh or frozen peas, low-sodium canned peas will do.

How to Make Felt Pillows That are Perfect for Game Day

Add a little personalization to your tailgate decorations with this quick and easy pillow tutorial.

How to Make a Simple and Easy Felt Pennant Banner

Beef up your tailgate decor with this quick banner tutorial.

Farm-Fresh Butter Bean Hummus Recipe

Why buy packaged hummus when you can make this healthy dip from scratch in just a few minutes? Loaded with chopped herbs and brightened with a splash of lemon juice, it's lighter than queso or onion dip but no less delicious.

Flavor-Packed Pimento Cheeseburger Dip Recipe

Just try to stick to one bite of this outrageously delicious tailgating favorite—chef Mike Moore's tried-and-true recipe with more kick and more flavor than a run-of-the-mill hamburger dip. You can make your own pimento cheese, but it works beautifully with store-bought.

Crowd-Pleasing Buffalo Chicken Wraps

The perfect blend of spicy and cool, this recipe delicious recipe is ideal for outdoor entertaining.

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