Noughts and Crosses (or Tic-Tac-Toe) is one of those simple, go-anywhere games that can keep kids happily occupied while waiting for food, filling a few quiet minutes, or playing together at home.
It’s great for practising turn-taking, early strategy and logical thinking — and it only takes a scrap of paper and a pencil to get started.
Even young children pick it up quickly, while older kids may enjoy working out how to avoid a draw and develop their own game strategies.
Materials Needed
- Paper or notebook
- Pen or pencil
Tools Needed
- None
Steps
- Draw the Grid
Draw a simple 3×3 square grid (two vertical and two horizontal lines). - Choose Symbols
One player is ‘Noughts’ (O), the other is ‘Crosses’ (X). - Take Turns
Players take turns writing their symbol in an empty square, trying to get three in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. - Check for a Win
The first to get three in a row wins. If all squares are filled without a winner, it’s a draw. - Play Again
Keep playing and see who can win the most rounds!
Variations
- Giant Outdoor Version: Use chalk on the pavement or tape on the floor for a life-sized version.
- 4×4 Grid: Add an extra row and column to make it trickier.
- Theme It: Use stickers, magnets, or drawings instead of Xs and Os — e.g. hearts vs stars.
- Speed Round: Play against the clock for a fast-paced version.
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