Oversized Tic-tac-toe is a great way for the family to play games together and enjoy the outdoors.
Tic-tac-toe, also known as Naughts and Crosses, has entertained people for centuries. It’s been found everywhere from the temples of ancient Egypt to the medieval cathedrals of England, according to UC Berkeley GamesCrafters.
Read on to learn how to make concrete Tic-tac-toe pieces.
Materials
- Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix
- 5 6-inch silicone cake pans
- 5 spray-paint can lids or another cylindrical object
- Fast-drying caulk
- Melamine shelf boards
- Miter saw
- Wood screws
- Drill & Drill bits
- Tape measure
- Wood pencil
- Trowel
Create Forms
To create forms for o’s, use 6-inch silicone cake pans and lids from spray-paint cans. Glue the lids to the centers of the cake pans with fast-drying caulk. Wipe off the excess caulk.
To make the x’s, cut a melamine shelf board to build a 30-inch by 6-inch open tray.
You need two triangle sizes to create the x’s:
- Cut 10 triangles at a 38-degree angle from a 2-inch piece of melamine board.
- Cut 10 triangles at a 59-degree angle from a 1-⅞-inch piece of melamine board.
To form the x’s:
- Drill a large triangle with the point facing inward at the end of the tray.
- Measure 1-½ inches over and place two small triangles along the top and bottom edges of the box.
- Measure over 1-½ inches over and place another large triangle pointing toward the two smaller ones.
Continue this process until you have five x’s.
Mix Concrete
We’re using Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix for our tic-tac-toe pieces because it’s ideal for applications that are less than 2 inches thick.
Slowly add water to the mix until it’s a workable plastic-like consistency. Use a concrete mixer or a shovel, rake or hoe to work the mix.
Fill Forms
Once the concrete is thoroughly mixed, scoop it into the forms and use the trowel to level the mix with the top of each form. Cover the molds with plastic to help curing.
Cure
Let the tic-tac-toe pieces cure for five days in warm weather (at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) or for seven days in colder weather (50-70 degrees Fahrenheit).
Once the pieces have cured, remove them from the forms. Rough edges can be easily removed by sanding.
Now, all you need is a little sidewalk chalk to draw your game grid — then the fun can begin!