Tic-Tac-Toe Ocean Style!
Tic-Tac-Toe is a staple for many early childhood classroom game shelves. Kristin of Bunny Cakes blog recommends sprucing up your game boards and playing pieces to attract those kidders because it is around the "game table" that children learn valuable social skills, critical thinking, and problem solving!
Supplies You'll Need
- Shells
- Orange or red tempera paint
- Craft glue
- Wiggle eyes
- Modeling clay
Begin by selecting five mid-sized scallop shells, ten small cone shells, and five sand dollars or other smooth, circular shells. The smooth, circular shells should be set aside as the first set of game pieces. The scallop and cone shells will be used together to create the other five crab game pieces. Crab Game Pieces
- Paint all scallop and cone shells with orange or red tempera paint. For a more "realistic" crab color, mix the two together. Set shells aside to dry.
- Once dry, attach two cone shells to the outside edge of each scallop shell using a bit of modeling clay. The clay will dry, acting similar to cement, bonding the two shells together. Set aside to ensure the shells properly adhere.
- When the shells are secure, use craft glue to attach wiggle eyes.
For the game board, find a white square plate, picture frame, or divided decorative mirror and add a bit of sand. While they'll have to be careful not to spill the board, your students are sure to love this tic-tac-toe with an ocean twist!