DIY Wooden Tic-Tac-Toe Game Gift for Boy

I made this Tic-Tac-Toe board game for our little guys, Ryan and Noah but it would work for any age or as a coffee table item. Here is how I made them:

I began with a sanded pine board that was cut to an 8.5-inch square. You can paint this to add color. I like the look of the natural wood to contrast with the paper so I left mine plain.

I purchased a piece of scrapbook paper with a relatively non-busy background and cut it to an 8-inch square.

I had a bag of 1/4-inch wooden rectangles that I cut in half so each measures 1.5-inches. You can purchase little wooden squares or circles that are just the right size. You will need a total of 10 for each game. Again, you can paint these or leave natural.

For the Tic-Tac-Toe pieces I used images with a theme I thought would interest our little guys. I scaled them on a photo editor and printed them to just shy of 1.5-inches. Then I had them copied at Staples. For an easier version, use stickers or images from cute scrapbook paper. Then you can skip the trip to Staples and move right along without interruption 🙂

You will need two different images for each game.

Using Mod Podge, I applied the 8-inch piece of paper to the 8.5-inch board.

I used electrical tape to make the grid. I cut 4 strips 1/4-inch wide x 7 3/4-inch long. It would had been much easier to just cut strips of paper and glue them on but somehow I manage to find a more difficult way to do things 🙂

Then I applied each image to the playing piece.

I glued four little wooden thingies (see pic) on the bottom four corners for feet.

I finished with a couple of coats of water-based varnish for durability.

I tossed the playing pieces in a small draw-string bag and there you have it! Now, who thinks they can beat Ryan at his favorite game?