Thursday, July 23, 2015

Chalk Games on The Patio - Dots and Boxes




One of the fun things about summer is taking normal, everyday, indoor games and activities - outside.


So, for instance, after we realized our chalk lines would not stop ants on our dilapidated, back patio, we set up a game of dots and boxes, instead.


I've posted about the game before (a super-sized indoor version), but just in case you're unfamiliar with the rules, they are simple.


Just draw out a quick grid of dots with as many rows or columns as you like (the larger the grid, the longer the game).

Then take turns drawing lines.  Each player draws one line (vertical or horizontal)  between two of the adjoining dots.


If you happen to draw a line that closes in a box, you mark the box with your initial, and take another turn.  The winner is the player with the most boxes marked with their initial when all the squares are closed.


Dots and boxes is usually played as a boredom buster on scraps of paper inside (in a waiting room, or when the sermon runs a little long)...


...but moves outside into the fresh air with ease.

5 comments:

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

You wouldn't believe how often we played this game during boring classes in school. A very reliable boredom buster :D

Ticia said...

Now, here's the question. Do you use the rule variation where all lines must be connected to another line? My husband got into a serious discussion on whether or not that was a real rule.

An Almost Unschooling Mom said...

Ticia - I've never played it that way - our lines go anywhere and everywhere - but it might be interesting.

claireshomeeducation said...

Hi Leah! Thanks for popping by. I hope you are settling into your new home well. Looking forward to you coming back to the blogging world! xx

MaryAnne said...

We play that game during church, too!