With the weather getting warmer and staying that way, my kids love to spend lots of their free time outside and I’m great with that! Fresh air and outdoor activities are wonderful for children! This DIY Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Board Game is incredibly easy to make and is a great game to play outside. It’s so easy to make, that you could even make a few sets and have neighborhood kids come over to play! Tic Tac Toe is a 2 player game but you can allow the next person in line to play the winner. And your outdoor tic tac toe game can be placed anywhere…driveways, patios, front porches, etc.
DIY Outdoor Tic Tac Toe 2 Player Game Tutorial
Tic-Tac-Toe is a classic two-player game where opponents take turns marking Xs and Os on a 3×3 grid. The goal is to be the first to get three of their marks in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Players must think strategically, blocking their opponent while creating their own winning opportunity. Since each move impacts both players, the game encourages critical thinking and foresight. Simple yet engaging, Tic-Tac-Toe is easy to learn but requires skill to master, making it a timeless game for all ages. It is a perfect game when you only have 2 players!
DIY Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Set Craft Supplies Needed:
Looking for free educational games? You just need a few simple supplies to make this game yourself.
- Foam Sheets (these can be found at craft stores near the poster board)
- Scissors
- Marker
- Duct Tape
Directions for how to make a homemade Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Board Game:
Gather all your supplies and either head to the table or spread out on the floor.
We will be using foam sheets to make oversized playing pieces for little hands still working on hand-eye coordination. One color will be x’s and one color will be o’s. You can free hand the shapes or trace around other objects. For the o’s, I traced around a plastic cup for the outer circle and traced around a mason jar lid for the inner circle.
I cut those out and then started on my x’s. I free handed the x’s on a different color foam sheet and cut those out. After your x’s and o’s are cut out, grab your duct tape and head outside!
It’s best to find a flat hard space to play. Your duct tape will stick best to driveways, porches, patios, etc…Once you find a nice spot, start laying your strips of duct tape down. You will need 2 pieces going vertical and 2 pieces going horizontal to form the board. Once those are laid down, you are ready to play. Get ready for some friendly competition!
How to win any tic tac toe game
Winning at the classic game of tic tac toe requires strategy and careful placement of your marks. Here are the best strategies to increase your chances of winning every game:
If You Go First (X):
- Start in a Corner – The best opening move is a corner. This gives you the most chances to create a winning row.
- Force Your Opponent’s Move – If your opponent places their mark anywhere other than the center, you have a strong advantage.
- Create a Fork – A fork is when you have two possible winning moves, so your opponent cannot block both. This usually happens by controlling two corners.
- Watch for Blocking Opportunities – If your opponent is about to get three in a row, block them immediately.
- Secure the Win – Once you have two marks in a row with an open space, place your final mark to win.
If You Go Second (O):
- Take the Center If It’s Open – If your opponent doesn’t start in the center, take it. This is the best spot to control the board.
- If They Start in a Corner, Block Smartly – Place your mark in the center to prevent easy wins.
- Prevent Forks – If your opponent is setting up a fork, block them by placing your mark in a space that forces them to play defensively.
- Look for an Opening – If your opponent makes a mistake, take advantage and line up your marks for a win.
With perfect play, Tic-Tac-Toe always ends in a draw, but these strategies will give you the best chance of winning if your opponent makes a mistake!
Conclusion
Creating your own outdoor Tic-Tac-Toe game is a fun and simple way to enjoy the classic two-player game in a larger, more interactive format. Start by marking a 3×3 grid on the ground using chalk or tape. For the reusable game pieces, you can make them out of foam sheets as instructed above. Alternatively, you could even gather natural materials like rocks and paint them with Xs and Os. Players take turns placing their pieces just like in the traditional game, aiming to get three in a row to win. This DIY version adds an active and creative twist, making it perfect for backyard play, picnics, or camping trips.
How fun is that?! If you are needing an outdoor game of some sort that is very inexpensive and easy to make, give this DIY Outdoor Tic Tac Toe Board Game a try. Does this look like something you would have fun making? Kids love this! And the foam pieces are perfect for outside since they are pretty much weather proof!
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Parenting Pod says
Awesome! Always glad to have another outdoor game for my kids. Also thanks for the strategy tips on how to win tic-tac-toe games!