How to Make DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Game (Great Gift Idea)
Learn how to make a DIY Tic-Tac-Toe game. A homemade wooden Tic Tac Toe game is fun for all ages and makes a thoughtful handmade gift. This educational game can help teach important strategy skills. Depending upon your skills, you can create this project in about one or two hours.
Materials needed:
One piece of wood approximately 1.5″ x 6.5″ x 6.5″ (4cm x 17cm x 17cm). In my case, I am using a piece of walnut.
Two wooden dowel 3/4″ (2cm) in diameter. If you only have only type of wood for the dowels, you can paint one set of pegs a different color.
The size of the board and your pegs can easily be modified to match the materials you have on hand. This project can be completed with just a basic hand saw, a drill, and a drill bit. However, I have included pictures of other power tools that can be used to speed up the process.
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Step 1. Saw board to match dimensions of Tic Tac Toe Game Board.
Using a hand saw, table saw, or miter saw cut the board to 1.5″ x 6.5″ x 6.5″ (4cm x 17cm x 17cm).

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Step 2. Mark horizontal and vertical lines.
Cut these lines to a depth of approximately 1/8″ (0.3cm) using either a hand saw or a table saw.
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

Step 3. Mark holes for pegs.
Drill holes 3/4″ (2cm) in diameter, approximately 3/4″ (2cm) in depth. If using a drill press, you can set the “depth stop”. This will ensure all the holes are drilled to the same depth.

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Step 4. Cut ten wooden dowels 2″ (5cm) in length.
Ideally cut five pegs from a darker wood, and five pegs from a littler wood. However, if you only have one type of wood, you can paint five of the dowels a different color.
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Step 5. Ensure the pegs easily fit.
Ideally, you want the pegs to go in easily. If you have a huge selection of drill bits, drill the holes slightly larger than the pegs. Since I did not have a bit slightly larger than the dowels, I enlarged the holes using a Dremel with a sanding attachment.

Step 6: Sand and smooth the edges.
If you have access to a router, you can use this tool to round the top edges.

Step 7. Apply a finish to the Tic-Tac-Toe Game Board.
In my case, I applied a linseed oil to the walnut wood.
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Step 8. Enjoy and have fun.
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Tic-Tac-Toe Rules
Two players take turns inserting pegs into the holes or spaces in the 3×3 grid. The player who succeeds in placing three of their pegs in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row wins the game.
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