How to Make an {Easy} DIY Tic Tac Toe Game Board

Tic Tac Toe is a fun and easy game to play for kids of all ages – and even more fun when it’s jumbo size! In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how easy it is to make your own DIY tic tac toe game board. It’s a simple project that leaves lots of room for creativity and the result is so much fun!!!

outdoor tic tac toe game board table with stuffed pumpkins for markers

Ways to Personalize Your DIY Tic Tac Toe Game

When I saw this folding table makeover project that my friend Andrea made, it got my creative wheels turning. I used different materials (foam core board and tape instead of lumber, wood glue, and screws) but the technique was perfect for my diy tic-tac-toe game.

I made my tic-tac-toe game board for a Fall Festival at our church, but you could use it for any occasion (or no occasion at all). Use different colors and decorate it any way you like.

Need a great game for a school or 4-H event? Use your school colors, mascot, or green 4-H clovers to make your diy tic tac toe board!

Start with a kids table like I did or use something bigger like a folding card table. If one sheet of foam core board isn’t large enough, use packing tape to piece multiple boards together or find a large piece of cardboard to use in place of the foam board.

Use it indoors or add it to your collection of outdoor games. As a bonus, when you’re done playing with it, you can easily disassemble it and store it for later use. There are lots of possibilities, so let your imagination run wild!

What You’ll Need

Kids’ Table (wooden or plastic)
Large Sheet of Black Foam Core Board (32×40) – I got mine at Hobby Lobby, but you can also find large sheets at art supply stores, teacher supply stores, etc. It’s best if you have a piece large enough to cover your table top, but you can piece together multiple sheets together if necessary.
Narrow Duct Tape (3/4 inches wide) – I used 2 rolls of black and 1 roll of orange Art Project Tape from Hobby Lobby
Measuring Tape
Long Straight-Edge (Yardstick or Quilting Ruler)
Pencil (a white pencil works well on the black board)
Craft Knife or Utility Knife
Something to protect your work surface when cutting (I used a self-healing cutting mat)
Plastic Table Cloth to match or coordinate with foam core board
Packing Tape
Set of Game Pieces (5 of each color or kind) – I used stuffed pumpkins but bean bags, wood slices, small stones, stuffed animals, or anything similar will work.
(optional) Lettering and Decorations (use your Silhouette or Cricut machine to cut some from adhesive vinyl or buy pre-cut letters like these)

Choose a Table

Choose a table that’s in (relatively) good condition. The size of the table should be appropriate for playing tic tac toe comfortably.

I’ve had this table since my kids were small. I won’t tell you exactly how long that’s been but let’s just say that it’s held up well!!!

Step 1: Measure the Table Top & Sides

Use a measuring tape or yardstick to measure the top and sides of the table.

The top of my table was 26 inches x 26 inches and the sides of table top were just a little more than 3 inches.

Step 2: Cut Table Top from Foam Core

Use a craft knife (or a utility knife) and long straight-edge to cut the table top out of the foam core board.

The tic-tac-toe game board should fit easily over the table you’re using, so you’ll want to cut the foam core board slightly larger than the actual table.

Calculation diagram for cutting foam core board for table top DIY tic tac toe game

For my 26 in x 26 in table, I added 0.5 inches to both the length and the width and cut the foam core board to 26.5 in x 26.5 in.

marking a piece of black foam core board with a white pencil to make a diy tic tac toe game board

Pro Tip: Measure twice, cut once!

Step 3: Cut the Sides from Foam Core

Repeat Step 2, cutting a total of four pieces of foam core board for the sides of your tic-tac-toe game board.

Once again, I added 0.5 inches to the measurement from Step 1 and cut four pieces of foam core board to 3.5 x 26.5 in.

Diagram for cutting foam core board for DIY Tic Tac Toe Board Game

(If your table has a flat top, you can make the overhang any size you want, but 3.5 inches worked well for me.)

Step 4: Create the Grid

The next step is to draw the tic tac toe grid.

rolls of art project tape in orange and black

Use a pencil and a yardstick or straight-edge to draw two evenly-spaced vertical lines in the center of the foam table topper.

Draw two more evenly-spaced straight lines in the opposite direction to create equal squares.

When you’re satisfied with your markings, apply a strip of colored duct tape over each line.

black foam core board with orange art project tape and protective paper

Pro Tip: Use a piece of parchment paper or Artesprix protective paper under your strip of tape as you apply it. This will keep it from sticking to the foam core board before you’re ready.

diy tic tac toe grid made with orange art project tape and black foam core board

Step 5: Decorate (optional)

If you want to decorate your table topper, use your Silhouette or Cricut cutting machine to create vinyl decals. If you don’t have a cutting machine, use stick-on letters, paper cutouts, craft paint, paint pen, permanent marker, etc.

pieces of foam core board decorated with orange pumpkins and vinyl lettering for side of DIY tic tac toe game board

Designs used for my pumpkin tic tac toe game:
LW Fairytale Font, Silhouette Design ID #246121
Jack O Lantern Stencil by Sarah Bailey, Silhouette Design ID #33179 (also available as an SVG file to use with non-Silhouette machines)

Step 6: Assemble

Tape the side pieces to the underside of the table topper at a 90-degree angle, using several strips of duct tape.

two pieces of foam core board taped together using art project tape as a hinge

In order for the sides to fit neatly together and flush with the edges of the foam core table top, you’ll need to trim approximately 0.25 inches off of two of the side pieces.

diagram and measurements of sides and top of diy tic tac toe game board

One thing to note: the black duct tape loosened a bit over time. This didn’t cause a big problem for me, but you may want to reinforce the seams with packing tape or hot glue.

Step 7: Add Skirting

To hide the legs of the table, use a plastic tablecloth to create skirting. Hold it in place with clear packing tape.

tic tac toe game board cover for a childs table

Put the topper in place and get ready to enjoy a fun game of tic-tac-toe!

Pin this idea for later!

I hope this simple tutorial has inspired you to make your own diy tic-tac-toe board game. It’s a simple project and a great way to express your creativity!

Whether you make a Halloween game of pumpkin tic-tac-toe like I did or personalize it with different ideas, be sure to come share it (or any of your other DIY projects!) with us over in the Silhouette Crafters by Design Facebook group. Our group is open to all crafters, whether you own a cutting machine or not – and we always love to see what you create!

Until next time,

Lycia Evanoff

Lycia is a lifelong crafter whose goal is to help others find value, confidence, and joy in whatever they create. She geeks out on using technology to supercharge craft projects with Silhouette Studio, Design Space, Glowforge, sublimation, etc.! Lycia teaches these skills and more through online tutorials and videos as well as in-person classes at both the local and national levels.