Looking for a meaningful, budget-friendly, kid-approved gift you can make at home? This DIY tic tac toe game board is such a fun project — and it turns out surprisingly high-end for how simple it is to make.
Whether you’re crafting this as a DIY Christmas gift, a birthday gift, or a just-because surprise for a niece, nephew, or your own kids, this homemade tic tac toe game is one they’ll use again and again.
When I was searching for ideas, I kept seeing tutorials that used rocks, bottle caps, or paper. Cute! But for my niece, I wanted something a little more special. After seeing several gorgeous clay versions on Etsy, I thought…
Why not try making my own — and show you how to make one too?!
So grab your supplies, queue up a good podcast, and let’s make the sweetest little tic tac toe set.
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⭐️ DIY Tic Tac Toe Game Board Supplies
Here is everything I used to make this DIY Tic Tac Toe game board. Feel free to substitute with items you have on hand, or alternatives to fit your desired aesthetic!
- Air dry clay — I like this one (you’ll have plenty left over!)
- Silicone molds (candy-sized work best!)
Here’s some cute holiday options like the ones I used! - Acrylic paint in your colors of choice
- Paint brushes
- Burlap bag (I used a 7×9 bag from Dollar Tree; here are bulk options)
- Puff paint or a paint marker for the game board lines
- Gloss Mod Podge for sealing
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Cup of water
- Paper towels
- Sandpaper
How to Make a Homemade Tic Tac Toe Game
I break down how to make a homemade tic tac toe game board in my step-by-step tutorial below, but… if you’re more of a visual learner, check out the video tutorial!
Step 1: Fill your silicone molds with clay
Start by pressing your air dry clay firmly into each mold. Really get in there — especially on the first layer — so the clay gets into every little indentation. If you don’t press well enough, you may get holes or missing details when you pop them out.
Fill each mold all the way to the top. It’s okay if they slightly overflow. You can shave off the excess using:
- A razor blade
- A clay tool
- Or (my choice!) a Cricut scraping tool
Then smooth the backs with your fingertip dipped in a little water. This helps give your figures that nice flat finish.
Use a damp paper towel to wipe around the outside edges of each mold so you don’t end up with stray chunks of dried clay later.
Now comes the hardest part: patience.
Let them dry completely. I gave mine a full 3 days. Thinner molds might only need 1–2 days, thicker ones may take longer.
Step 2: Remove and refine your Tic Tac Toe Game pieces
Gently separate the mold from the clay by pulling the silicone away from the edges before pushing the figure out. This helps prevent cracking.
If your shapes come out like mine — cute, but with a few rough edges or missing details — don’t panic! Just use sandpaper to smooth them out.
Some molds have raised textures (like buttons or bowties) that don’t always transfer cleanly. You can sand those completely off for a smooth, clean shape.
Tap off any dust or debris when you’re done.
Step 3: Paint your game pieces
Now the fun part!
Paint your shapes using acrylic paint. My pieces were:
- ❄️ Snowflakes: Blue shading on the details, lighter blue on top for a two-tone look
- 🍪 Gingerbread: Light brown base (mixed with white), white icing details, and a tiny red bowtie
But truly — your color scheme is totally up to you.
Make them bold, pastel, neutral, monochrome… whatever fits the kid you’re gifting this to.
Acrylic paint dries fast (mine took about 15–20 minutes).
Step 4: Seal with Mod Podge
Once the paint is dry, give each piece a thin coat of gloss Mod Podge to protect them.
You can also use an acrylic sealer or a clay sealer, but Mod Podge is the most budget-friendly and easy to find.
Set them aside to dry while you make the board!
Step 5: Make your tic tac toe game board
I used a 7×9 holiday burlap bag from Dollar Tree. Any small bag or pouch works as long as your pieces fit comfortably on it (6×7, 7×7, or 7×9 all work great).
Lightly sketch your grid in pencil using a ruler so your lines stay straight and evenly spaced. The easiest method is to place a painted clay piece onto the bag to measure how large each square should be.
Once penciled in, trace over your lines using:
- White puff paint (my choice for a raised, tactile finish), or
- A white paint marker for a smooth, flat look
Let the board dry completely.
Step 6: Assemble, gift, and play your DIY tic tac toe game!
Once everything is fully dry, add your pieces to the bag and cinch it closed. That’s it — your homemade tic tac toe game is ready to gift and ready to play.
Kids absolutely love this. And the best part? The whole set costs just a few dollars to make.
Here’s more to try next!
- DIY Christmas Card Holder: Turn your Christmas cards into a beautiful display for just $5 with this tutorial!
- DIY Mini Trees: Make use of scrap fabric, magazines, or even spare twine from this holiday card display craft, with this fun mini tree tutorial!
- Scrap Fabric Wreath: Repurpose old fabric (or even old Christmas pajamas) into an adorable holiday wreath!
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And, if you make this tic tac toe game, I need to see it.
Tag me on Instagram @savvyswarey or send pics to hello@savvyswarey.com — I can’t wait to see what you create!