Tic-Tac-Toe (Crosses & Naughts)

Strategy games have been around for centuries and were often made with or from natural items.

Strategy games are great for building critical thinking skills because players need to observe the game so they can block the other players and take advantage of moves in order to win the game. They’re also good for thinking ahead and deductive reasoning.

Tic-Tac-Toe is often played as a pencil and paper game, but creating a one-of-a-kind board to play on over and over can be fun to make and use. 

Tic-Tac-Toe is simple to learn how to play and can be enjoyed by any age! 

To make a tic-tac-toe board, you will need…
A 6 inch cardboard square, ruler, pencil, markers, 10 bottle caps – 5 of one color and 5 of another color. 

Optional: Two different types of coins can be used to play, as well as shapes made from cardboard.

What to do…

Using a ruler and a pencil, draw lines on the cardboard square like a number sign # as evenly as possible, then trace over them with a marker.

To play… 

This is a two player game where players take turns placing their pieces on the board. 
The object of the game is for one player to get 3 playing pieces in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to win the game.

More suggestions…

Decorate the board

– Cut a construction paper square the size of the cardboard, glue it to the board, draw even lines in the middle to play the game, then decorate around the edges with markers or stickers.

– Use a picture from a magazine for a border and glue a game board to the middle.

Tic-tac-toe game board

– For an extra challenge, make a frame out of construction paper. Measure the center opening, and when you cut a piece of construction paper to fit the middle, add an extra half an inch around so it can be glued to the back of the frame. Glue the whole thing to the cardboard. Use a pencil and a ruler to make even lines for the game, then trace them with a marker. Use the picture as a guide if needed.

Game Pieces

Play Tic-tac-toe

Make game pieces out of cardboard and construction paper. Glue an envelope to the back of the game board to hold game pieces. If you use bottle caps, tape a clean, recycled zip-top bag to the back to hold them. Add stickers if desired.

Score Board

Extend the game board to include a score board and make tally markers from cardboard.


History of Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe has a very long history! Learn about it here.

Making a permanent board will allow you to take it with you when you travel. 

When you’re on vacation, and the weather is uncooperative, recycled items can help pass the time.