Make a Tic Tac Toe Game (Kids Craft)

The following is a post from contributing writer Lana (like banana).

Have your kids cried the dreaded “I’m bored” this summer?

I may have a solution…at least for a short hour.

Finding activities that promote learning as well as having fun and using materials that I have on hand are my absolute favorite!

Thus the idea:  Rock Tic-Tac-Toe Paint Party…

How to Make a Tic Tac Toe Game with Rocks

Supplies Needed

• Small Rocks (5 for each child)
• Acrylic Craft Paint (Glossy makes dull rocks shine beautifully.)
• Paint Brushes or Cotton Swabs
• Newspaper to protect table
• Foam trays or paint tray
• 4 twigs or sticks

Directions

1. Have the children go seek their rocks.  (This took a while for some of the kids…they wanted the perfect rocks.)
2. Let the children wash their rocks using water just to get the dirt off.
3. Dry the rocks with a napkin or paper towel.  They don’t have to be completely dry.
4. Have each child pick a different color.Then have an adult or responsible child pour the paint for them about the size of quarter on their individual plate.
5. Let the child paint away on their rocks.  (Some will take a long time – some will be done in one minute.  Make sure they don’t miss spots.)
   

   

   This is important time to talk about the color wheel or what primary colors are and what happens when two colors mix. Make learning fun – this can be an real educational moment!  (I love those!)

   It also gives the opportunity to develop hand-eye coordination for those who are learning to write.

6. When all the rocks are finished, let them dry.  Some rocks are more porous and will dry quickly, others take longer.  Use the time for a little cake, or snack, or even a nap.
7. When completely dry, have a Tic-Tac-Toe tournament.  Use the twigs or sticks to form the tic tac toe lines or draw them with sidewalk chalk.

Other Ideas

• Have a painting Rock day.  After they dry, deliver to a Children’s Hospital for a special gift for someone who is ill.
• Makes a fun gift for your Pastor.  Attach a card saying “Jesus is your Rock.”
• Find other names for Tic-Tac-Toe.
• Have an impromptu Bible lesson on Rocks – talk about Ebenezer or Petra as your focus.

For more ways to help with kids saying the awful “B” word, please go see my list of 77 Boredom Busters.

More posts from Lana