Frog Tic-Tac-Toe Game
Tic-tac-toad, anyone? Play the classic game with an amphibian twist.
Submitted by
Kayla Chong
Kayla Chong
Even though tic-tac-toe is filled with Xs and Os, it rarely gets any love—especially once the kids discover video games. Bring excitement back to this simple game by adding a crafty twist: homemade frogs and toads fashioned from rocks.
- 10 smooth rocks of similar size:We mean rocks like stones you find in the garden—not rocks like stones you buy at Cartier. Although that would be nice in another context.
- Tempera or acrylic paint
- Glue
- Googly eyes, feathers, rhinestones:To decorate the frogs and toads
- Poster board
- Markers
- Players:You and your child
Have your child hunt for 10 smooth rocks. If you live near a creek or stream, search there. Rocks that have been smoothed over by water make nice painting canvases. If the rocks aren't totally smooth, don't worry. Once they're painted, the bumps will read like warts and give the pieces an authentic look!
Bring the rocks inside and have your kid wash them off really well, then dry them.
Help your child paint the rocks. He should paint five as toads and five as frogs. Have him add googly eyes, rhinestone collars and feather tails to his creations. Who cares if frogs and toads don't have tails? Let his imagination run wild!
While the rocks dry, have your child draw a tic-tac-toe board on the sheet of poster board.
Pick sides: Who's the frog? Who's the toad?
Play tic-tac-toad! Place the frogs and toads on the board like you would Xs and Os in a traditional tic-tac-toe game. The object of the game is to get three toads or frogs in a row.
- Coach your child to rule recess with this winning tic-tac-toe strategy:
- Place your mark in one of the corners to start. If your opponent goes anywhere but the middle square, she has lost on the first move!
- On your next move, go in another corner vertically or horizontally in line with your first corner. Don't go in the square diagonally across from your first go or your opponent can take the square that blocks you from winning.
- On your third go, place your game piece in the third corner that lines up with both of the corners you picked in your previous moves.
- Victory! Your opponent can't possibly stop you as he can only block you from getting three in a row in one direction and you'll be able to get three in a row in the other direction!
Submit!
