Are you ready for some DIY Tic Tac Toe Fun? I always loved Tic Tac Toe as a kid, but it could use up a lot of paper if you played it all the time. What I love about this DIY rock stone game is that you can play it over and over again. And, it's super cute.
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Why You'll Love This Craft
- Classic Game with a Twist: Kids get to craft their own version of Tic Tac Toe with colorful, hand-painted rocks, making it a fun, interactive game.
- Educational Fun: It’s a great way to practice strategic thinking, decision-making, and turn-taking while enjoying a creative project.
- Reusable Play: Unlike paper or cardboard versions, these rocks are sturdy and can be played with over and over again—inside or outdoors.
What You Need
- Burlap Drawstring Bag
- Americana Paints by DecoArt – Lavender, Sour Apple and Laguna
- Americana Dura Clear Matte Varnish by DecoArt
- River Rocks – 12 small and flat
- Painters Tape
- Paint Brush #4 Flat
- Palette (simple as a paper plate)
- Paper Towels
- Scrap of Cardboard
- Ruler
- Pencil
🖌️ How To Make DIY Tic Tac Toe Rock Stones
- Step 1: Insert scrap cardboard into burlap bag, so the paint does not seep through.
- Step 2: Measure and lightly sketch tic tac toe grid on to burlap bag.
- Step 3: Apply painters tape to create two vertical lines approximately ¼″ wide each.
- Step 4: Apply Lavender paint, remove the tape, and let dry.
- Step 5: Repeat with horizontal lines, let dry. Using a #4 flat paintbrush, paint X’s on six rocks with Laguna paint, let dry and then apply a second coat, if necessary.
- Step 6: Paint O’s on six rocks with Sour Apple paint, using a #4 flat paintbrush. Let dry and then apply a second coat, if necessary.
- Step 7: Once the paint is dry, apply two coats of Dura Clear Matte Varnish, letting rocks dry completely between coats.
- Step 8: Have the kids collect rocks from their travels to make this game an extra special keepsake.
This DIY Travel Tic Tac Toe Game is so quick and easy that you can let the kids help paint, create and even personalize it!
Please pin this fantastic painted rocks craft idea so you can find it later!
If you liked this DIY painted rock game, check out some other fun things you can make with rocks:
- Preschool Alphabet Rock Stones
- Whale Rock Painting Craft for Kids
- How to Make a Rock Stone Crocodile
- DIY Number Stones and Counting Activity For Kids
💡 Pro Tip: Store the painted rocks in the burlap bag with the grid design for easy access and portability.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips for Tic Tac Toe Painted Rocks
- Protect Your Workspace: Place a piece of cardboard inside the burlap bag to prevent paint from seeping through.
- Measure and Mark: Use a ruler and pencil to lightly sketch the tic-tac-toe grid on the bag before painting.
- Use Painter's Tape: Apply painter's tape to create straight lines for the grid, ensuring uniform width.
- Choose Vibrant Colors: Paint the X's with Laguna and the O's with Sour Apple for a bright and playful look.
- Apply Varnish: After the paint dries, apply two coats of Dura Clear Matte Varnish to protect the rocks.
- Personalize the Rocks: Encourage kids to collect rocks from their travels to make the game extra special
💭 FAQs
To make the DIY Tic Tac Toe painted rocks, you’ll need a burlap drawstring bag, small flat river rocks, a few specific paint colors (Lavender, Sour Apple, and Laguna), a flat paintbrush, painters tape, a palette, paper towels, a ruler, pencil, and some varnish to seal the painted rocks. A scrap of cardboard is also useful to prevent paint from seeping through the bag.
The Tic Tac Toe grid is painted directly onto the burlap bag using tape to guide straight lines and Lavender paint to color them in. A ruler and pencil help sketch out the design before painting, and cardboard inside the bag keeps the paint from bleeding through
Twelve rocks are painted in two different colors—six in Laguna for X’s and six in Sour Apple for O’s. The paint is applied evenly using a flat brush, and once the colors are dry, they're sealed with a clear matte varnish for durability.
To keep the painted rocks from chipping or fading, they are coated with two layers of a clear matte varnish. This not only protects the paint but also gives the rocks a finished, polished look.
DIY Tic Tac Toe Painted Rocks
Materials
- Burlap Drawstring Bag
- Americana Paints by DecoArt – Lavender Sour Apple and Laguna
- Americana Dura Clear Matte Varnish by DecoArt
- River Rocks – 12 small and flat
- Painters Tape
- Paint Brush #4 Flat
- Palette simple as a paper plate
- Paper Towels
- Scrap of Cardboard
- Ruler
- Pencil
Instructions
- 1. Insert scrap cardboard into burlap bag, so the paint does not seep through.
2. Measure and lightly sketch tic tac toe grid on to burlap bag.
3. Apply painters tape to create two vertical lines approximately ¼″ wide each.
4. Apply Lavender paint, remove the tape, and let dry.
5. Repeat with horizontal lines, let dry.
6. Using a #4 flat paintbrush, paint X’s on six rocks with Laguna paint, let dry and then apply a second coat, if necessary.
7. Paint O’s on six rocks with Sour Apple paint, using a #4 flat paintbrush. Let dry and then apply a second coat, if necessary.
8. Once the paint is dry, apply two coats of Dura Clear Matte Varnish, letting rocks dry completely between coats.
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