Love this tic tac toe board? It's easy to make yourself!

When did the toe show up in tic tac toe?

Have you ever typed a word and it looked weird?

Like it didn’t belong.

And you checked it and double checked and spell checked it and friend checked it and random person walking by checked it to make sure it was spelled right.  But even then.  Even after all that checking and rechecking it still didn’t look right.

That was me with tic tac toe.

Somehow in my brain it was tick tack to?  Or tic tack too?  Or tick tac too?

I’m not sure about the spelling, but the project?

It’s one of my favorite ones we’ve ever made.

Here’s how to make a DIY over-sized, three-dimensional, interactive tic tac toe board. 

This oversize, 3D tic tac toe board is a blast to play with.

How to Make an Over-sized Tic Tac Toe Board

Supplies

wood letters

1/2″ dowel rod

wood glue

4 metal L brackets

4 1″x 3″ pine boards 39″ long

12 1″x 3″ boards 12″ long

gray paint

You'll need these oversized letters to create the playing pieces

I started the project with these wooden letters from Hobby Lobby.

Wait until they go on sale because you’ll need ten.

Five Xs and five Os.

You'll need to add dowels to the bottom of the letters to hold them in place.

Next, take a 1/2″ dowel rod and cut into 1″ long pieces.

Using a 1/2″ drill bit, drill holes into the bottom of the letters.

One for the Os and two for the each of the stems of the Xs.

Then using wood glue, glue the dowel rods into place.

Let dry.

Paint your Xs and Os a color to match your room.

Paint your Xs and Os in a paint color that matches your room.

I went with gray.

Obvi. 🙂

Now it's time to build the frame.

Using 1″ x 3″ pine boards, build a frame for your tic tac toe.

Here are the measurements for the frame.

4 boards 39″ long.

12 boards 12″ long.

The frame is easy to build, and looks fantastic with a coat of stain.

Lay out the frame with the longer boards as support and the smaller boards as horizontal pieces in the frame.

Nail together as shown.

Stain the board frame.

Add L brackets to the corners to secure the frame.

Attach metal L brackets to the sides of the frame for support.

Drill three holes in each space to match the dowels on your Xs and Os.

Once your frame is put together, measure the bottom of your game pieces and drill three holes in the bottom of each square.

Make sure they are evenly spaced and the game pieces fit in place.

The Os will fit in the middle hole.

Use the center hole for the O.

Use the outer holes for the X.

And the two outside holes for the X.

Here's how to build your own DIY tic tac toe game board

We made this board for the House for Hope.

You can read all about the project here.

I’m installing everything in the room next week and I can’t wait to show you the finished space.

There’s a few more DIY’s I’ve been working on for the room that I need to finish first.

I just hope they are easier to spell. 🙂

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Comments

  1. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    How about tic, tac, tow? I love the idea. Do your kids change the letters then, anyone who passing the board gets to play? It's an ongoing game. :-) I love playing with my grandsons -- they are darn good!! Have a wonderful day!!

  2. Image for Marian@CMShawStudios Marian@CMShawStudios

    Adding the dowels and holes is brilliant. I would have forgotten/never thought of that part and just been annoyed when they fell on me. And I just read your post on the hygge blanket with pompous and now I want to make one, even though my husband thinks we have too many blankets already. But what's another blanket/project between friends, right? You are my favorite today, The Other Marian Ps. When do you get to see your book? And when can I buy it?

  3. Image for Diane | An Extraordinary Day Diane | An Extraordinary Day

    I love your humble heart, K, and I love this oh-so-creative project. The people at Hope House will enjoy it often... there is no doubt. I can't wait to see how your creativity makes the space you're designing absolutely extraordinary. Sending love and best wishes for making HOPE real to those who will frequent that space through your design process. XO

  4. Image for Carrie Carrie

    so fun!! Could you also add Hope (Hearts?) in a burlap bag tied to the side?? Then the hearts can be either an X or an O replacement...call the game "hope on a rope"... :) Perfect for Valentines, Birthdays, any time a little extra love and hope are needed... I love that your ideas make my mind go off into my 'dwelling in possibilities" playland.... (and yes, that's the name of my (in space holder position only- blog...now if I can only get motivated/focused enough to create the blog!) You are a ROCK STAR!!! Go on with your big bad self...

  5. Image for Ellen Ellen

    SPECTACULAR!! No matter how you spell it, this is the best way to play it! What a marvelous addition to your House of Hope room. I am so looking forward to the unveiling of the completed room, can't wait! Thank-you for the directions and photos for construction of this game, my Son will love this genius project.

  6. Image for Michelle Michelle

    I'm usually OK with how something is spelled that I've been spelling my whole life until someone questions it. Suddenly, it doesn't look OK to me anymore. I will never ever ever look at 'tic tac toe' the same. Ever again. >:( But that's OK because this wall art piece is so adorable and it's for such a worthy cause, not to mention the fact that Valentines is just around the corner when X's and O's are at their peak of popularity. Your creativity amazes me but then, thanks to a great family tradition, you've been sharpening that skill for years :-) Can't wait to see what the other projects for the House of Hope will be!

  7. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    Tic Tac Tow? Yeah, never thought about it but Toe looks funny. Anyway, perfect timing! We're making outdoor games for the wedding reception and this is perfect! Can't wait to see the reveal! hugs, Cecilia

  8. Image for Terri Terri

    KariAnne, Great project!!! I so enjoyed your tv interview on "Talk of the Town"! You are so inspiring and beautiful! Can't wait to see your wall treatment!

  9. Image for JanL JanL

    I enjoyed your Tic Tac Toe spelling and game. But I groaned because TODAY I put in the recycle trash a large plastic Tic Tac Toe game that had been residing in our garage for several years with no interest because the letters would spin out of control when hit by the tossed bean-bag & frustrate players. NOW I see an alternative method to have made that game work. AND the trash pickup has already been done!

  10. Image for Bonnie Bonnie

    I love that idea of the TTT (not sure how to spell it??) board. I can't wait to see the finished room in the House of Hope. What a blessing it will be to all that enter there.

  11. Image for Leslie Leslie

    Genius! And I laughed at the spelling!! There must be a name for that condition...I always blamed it on years of seeing students' misspelling!! Love this project. :-)

  12. Image for Ardith Ardith

    Stylish and fun, what a wonderful combination, Karianne. Best wishes for a very happy House for Hope project unveiling.

  13. Image for Stephanie Ray Brown Stephanie Ray Brown

    A cute kisses and hugs project just in time for Heart Day! You know that I'm not going to make it ? but I so admire the cute things that you make! So funny Our lives can be so much alike at times. I am currently working with the Door of Hope who helps young girls when they find out they're pregnant as well as help struggling mothers too. Your House of Hope sounds like a wonderful place too! I loved your movie star appearance on television. So sorry I missed it live! So thankful I stumbled across your blog while drinking a diet Dr Pepper one morning. Forever grateful that God has even let our paths cross a time or too. Keep sharing your stories sweet girl and making our sorrows smile.

Comments are closed.