This DIY Wooden Tic Tac Toe game is super fun for all ages and easy to build. This easy Wooden Tic Tac Toe game is a fun woodworking project and a great DIY gift!
Today I’m sharing a step-by-step tutorial you will want to make over and over. It is a simple project, and Tic Tac Toe is a perfect way to pass the time with friends and family. It also happens to make a great gift for any occasion!
With just a few materials and tools you can create this game that grabs attention anywhere it’s displayed. Keep it on the coffee table or porch to enjoy the company. Who knows, it might become that gift that everyone cherishes for years to come!
Materials Needed for a DIY Tic Tac Toe game
- Pallet lumber or wood
- Back: 3 pieces 1″ x ?” to make the back of the game a 9 3/4″ square
- Sides: 2 piece 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 9 3/4 and 2 pieces 1/2″ x 10 1/2″
- Cell borders/Dividers: 2 pieces 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 3″ and 2 pieces 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 9 3/4″
- Miter Saw or Coping Saw
- Glue
- Drill
- Hole saw
- Finishing Nails: 1 1/2″
- Hammer
- Optional: table saw, square wood dowels, paint, stain
How do you build the game board?
This game board is made by using pallet boards glued together. This step-by-step guide will show you how to build the tic tac toe game
The back of the game board
The back is made by gluing and clamping three pieces of wood together. I used 3 pieces of pallet wood to make the back, then I cut it down to create a 9 3/4″ square. The even square is important because otherwise, the sides and dividers won’t fit.
The sides of the tic-tac-toe board
For the sides, I cut 2 sides to 1″ x 9 3/4″ and 2 sides to 1″ x 10 1/2″ long. The sides are secured with glue and 1 1/2″ finishing nails. The dividers were all glued and weighted down until the glue dries.
The cell borders or dividers of the DIY game
The cell boards or dividers are cut into 8 pieces. You need 2 pieces to be 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 9 3/4″. These will be the two long boards inside the square. The other six cell borders are 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 3″, and these will be the pieces that finish the board into a 3 cell x 3 cell game board.
When installing the dividers, place the long dividers horizontally across the joined boards. See the image below for an example.
This configuration will strengthen the gameboard. Place the 3″ dividers to create the nine cells that make up the game board.
How do you build Tic Tac Toe game pieces?
Create the X
Each “X” is made of 2 pieces, and each are 1/2″ x 3/8″ x 1/2″ . Each piece has a cross-lap joint cut in the center to create the X with a smooth easy fit. A coping saw and vise make quick work of this task.
Create the O
The “O” is created with 2 hole saws mounted on one arbor. The largest hole saw is 3″ and the smaller saw is 1 3/4″. Be careful to run the drill slowly and clear the sawdust frequently for a clean “O” in no time.
Other Easy DIY Projects
You do not have to spend a lot of time or money on beautiful décor! I have several step-by-step tutorials for projects that are easy enough for beginners. This Pallet Book Shelf for Kids is an easy woodworking project that also makes a great gift! Some other easy projects include: