P is for Play: DIY Apple Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
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Most people have a definitive favorite between apple and pumpkin but it can be quite a competition. For me it is always a toss up – I love to bite into a fresh, crisp apple but a delicious piece of pumpkin pie is hard to beat too. Speaking of apples and pumpkins, I have had so much fun making my DIY apple magnets and DIY pumpkin magnets this month that I have quite a few extras laying around the house. A few days ago, it dawned on me that these cute little shapes would make awesome tic-tac-toe game pieces. All I needed was a simple little tic-tac-toe board and the competition between apple and pumpkin could be played out board game style. You will love how super simple this fun little game is to make. Here is what I came up with:
Supplies
Clear glass stones, large size – I found mine at the dollar store in the floral section or order them here
Colored paper in red, orange, green and brown
Small wood or bamboo cutting board
Washi tape
Instructions
Using your circular paper punch, punch out one circle of orange paper for each pumpkin game piece and one circle of red paper for each apple game piece you plan to make. You will need to make at least 5 of each kind. Using your paint brush, coat the flat surface (the back) of your clear stone with Mod Podge. Carefully add a paper circle over the Mod Podge. Give the entire paper circle a generous top coat of Mod Podge to seal the paper to the stone. Repeat for each stone. Let dry thoroughly.
Once your apples and pumpkins are dry, it is time to add the stem, leaves and tendrils. For the apples, cut a simple stem out of brown paper and a leaf out of green paper using your scissors. For the pumpkins, cut a simple stem out of green paper. I did this freehand and did not worry too much about them being exactly the same shape or size. Give the stem a little curve if you wish.
To make the pumpkin spirals, rap a piece of floral wire around the handle of a small paint brush to make a spiral. I found that 3-4 ringlets was enough to add some character to my pumpkins. Trim the ends with your scissors or wire cutters. Be sure to leave enough of a tail to glue to the back of the pumpkin.
Look at your apple and pumpkin game pieces from the front and decide where you want the top of the piece to be. Attach the stem and the leaf or wire curl to the back of the apple or pumpkin at the top of the colored paper using a dab of Mod Podge. I initially used super glue to attach the curl to the pumpkins before adding the stem, but as the process continued I found that the Mod Podge held it on just as well. I also gave the stem and paper leaves a light coat of Mod Podge on both sides to seal and protect the paper surface. Let the pieces dry thoroughly again after this step.
Use a damp paper towel to wipe off the glass surface of the game piece to remove any fingerprints or dried glue.
That’s it! Your game pieces are ready to go! Aren’t they cute? I had some nice little burlap drawstring bags left over from a previous project that were just perfect to hold the game pieces.
I used a small bamboo cutting board to make my game board. I carefully made a tic-tac-toe grid using 4 strips of black sparkly washi tape that I had on hand. Easy peasey! Are you ready to play Apple Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe? Grab your game pieces and find a partner.
So tell me… are you team apple or team pumpkin? I would love to hear in the comments. This simple little game can be an easy afternoon boredom buster and is easy to take on the road as well. Play it indoors or outdoors as there are no pieces that will blow away. I hope you enjoy this fun little fall project. Play hard and have tons of fun, my friends! Xoxo and ABCs, Cristina
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