Easy Tic-Tac-Toe Game You Make in Minutes

Boredom sets in and what are you to do? Well, if you're a kid, boredom can spell mischief, irritability and even tantrums! Don't let it come to that! Whip up a quick tic-tac-toe board and the fun will go on for hours.

Really small kids love tic-tac-toe - a classic game for many years. The object of the game is to get three "x's", or three "o's", straight in a row. The first one to do so is the winner and the game begins again. The game is a quick one that moves along rapidly and is played with two people at a time.

The board for tic-tac-toe is oh-so easy to make. Cut a square piece of cardboard - large or small - and section it off into nine equal squares (three rows of three). Okay, you're done! Wasn't that easy? Oh, that's right, you need game pieces.

Typically the game of tic-tac-toe is played using "x's" and "o's", but you can make the pieces any shape you want. Cut the classic "x's" and "o's" out of cardboard or plasticc and use them to play. Or, choose something from around the house - like stones or wooden blocks - and use them as the pieces.

Some other ideas for game pieces include flat marbles, foam pieces, felt shapes, small dollhouse figures, old cd's (if you make a large game), soda lids, coins (real or fake), spools of thread, dry beans and peas, logos from product boxes, jar lids, mini novelties, and similar household items.

If you don't have the cardboard to make the game board you have other choices as well. Cut a piece of foam, felt or fabric to make the game, or just use an old plastic tablecloth section. Even a piece of plain paper works fine for tic-tac-toe.

Make the game as detailed or as simplistic as you wish. Create a cloth-covered cardboard game board and embellish it with roping to form the sections. Bejewel the game pieces, add wiggly eyes and other craft supplies to game pieces, or further decorate the game set. Find a cardboard box which will hold the board and game pieces for storage.