How to Build a Backyard Tic Tac Toe Game

Before you make your DIY Tic Tac Toe game, straighten the rope so it will lay flat on the ground. Start by unrolling the rope. Hold and pull the length of the rope through your hands several times, pushing the curl out. Get as much of the curl out by hand that you can. Lay the full length of the rope on the ground. Place a heavy weight on each end of the rope. Make sure the rope is straight and taut. After several hours, the rope should be straight enough to work with.

Measure and cut the following rope lengths to construct the playing board and playing pieces. Sisal rope can be tough to cut. For cleaner edges, cut the pieces against a piece of wood with a sharp knife.

• Four 3-foot long pieces
• One 12-foot long piece
• Five 18-inch long pieces
• Ten 9-inch long pieces

• Cross two of the 9-inch rope pieces across the middle to make an “X”.
• Glue at the cross section.
• Using a crisscross pattern, tie string around the joint where the two pieces cross.
• Apply a little glue to the cut ends of the rope to prevent raveling.
• Repeat until you have five “X’s”.

• Form circles with the 18-inch long pieces of sisal rope.
• Glue the ends of the rope together and make an "O".
• Wrap string around the joint to reinforce the seam.
• Repeat until you have five “O's".

Use the four 3-foot pieces of rope to create the grid for the Tic Tac Toe board.

• Lay out the 3-foot pieces into a grid pattern on the ground.
• Make sure you cross the rope pieces at 12-inch intervals. Measure carefully to create an even grid.
• Glue each square at its intersection.
• Using a crisscross pattern, tie each intersection with cotton string.

Use the 12-foot and 24-inch rope pieces to create the box around the grid of the Tic Tac Toe board.

• Starting at the end of one of the grid ropes, glue the end of the 12-foot rope.
• Continue gluing the 12-foot rope going along the outside of the grid. When you get to a corner, use one of the 24-inch rope pieces to make the turn.
• Glue all the intersections.
• Using a crisscross pattern, tie each intersection with cotton string.
• Enjoy!

Safety Tip: Loops of rope can constitute a choking hazard for young children. Do not allow children to play without adult supervision.