Disclosure: This post is sponsored by DecoArt as part of their Core Blogger Program and includes affiliate links.
The Ladybugs have started out the summer fun and games season with a strong 5-0 record under the guidance of Coach Jackson, but the rival Tadpoles are poised for a comeback!
I mentioned before that we’re a little bit competitive when it comes to games, right? But win, lose or draw, we’ve been having a blast playing with this cute-as-a-button outdoor tic tac toe game I painted using Patio Paint from DecoArt.
So much cuter than X’s and O’s!
I’ve been waiting to make one of these tic tac toe games every since we played a similar version during our trip to the North Carolina mountains last fall.
You can paint your own version in an afternoon, and the kids can even help with this one. They’ll have a blast decorating the tadpoles and ladybugs!
Supplies:
Patio Paint 2 oz. – Robin’s Egg Blue
Patio Paint 2 oz. – Fern Green
Patio Paint 2 oz. – Wrought Iron Black
Patio Paint 2 oz – Sunshine Yellow
Patio Paint 2 oz – Citrus Green
Patio Paint 2 oz – Geranium Red
Patio Paint 2 oz – Cloud White
Patio Paint 2 oz – Sprout Green
Large Basswood round plank
Assorted paint brushes
10 smooth rocks
wax paper or paint palatte
Instructions:
Paint the basswood round wooden plank with two coats of Patio Paint in Robin’s Egg Blue.
Paint half the rocks with Citrus Green Patio Paint and half with Geranium Red Patio Paint. Use 2-3 coats for full coverage, then repeat on the other side of the rocks.
When paint has dried on the wooden plank, paint a grid of nine lily pads — three rows of three. (To make a lily pad, draw a heart with a rounded base instead of a point.) I used a mix of Patio Paint in Sprout Green and Fern Green for my lily pads.
Once rocks have dried completely, decorate the red rocks to look like ladybugs, using Wrought Iron Black and Cloud White Patio Paint.
Paint eyes on the green rocks using Cloud White and Sunshine Yellow Patio Paint. Randomly decorate the tadpoles with spots in Sprout Green and Fern Green Patio Paint.
Allow to dry completely before playing your first game of tic tac toe.
While Patio Paint is weather and water resistant, let paint cure 72 hours before exposing to moisture.
Those ladybugs are some tough competitors.
It’s getting serious.
But I’m telling you, those tadpoles are poised for a comeback!
Ok, maybe not!
If you want to make your own outdoor tic tac toe game, be sure to pin the image below.
Be sure to check out my other painting crafts and projects at the DecoArt blog.
Jen says
How quickly does the paint dry? I know you said 72 hours to cure.. I am doing this for a mom’s group play date and want to make sure we will have enough time to do it in (I plan to paint the wooden pieces first as well as the red and green on the rocks).
Thanks!
Atta Girl Amy says
Jen, the craft paint should dry pretty quickly. Probably within 15-30 minutes, depending on the humidity. The 72-hour cure time just applies to leaving the paint outdoors in the elements. While you can leave the rocks outside, I wouldn’t let the wooden pieces outside indefinitely. The wood can warp and expand when it gets wet and then dries again.
Hope you have a fun group play date.
Kristin says
My kids are going to make this for grandma’s birthday gift – each child painting 3 rocks. Thanks for the adorable idea!
Atta Girl Amy says
So sweet. I bet grandma will love it!
Cindy Kaiser says
Made this for my grandsons. I love the way it turned out and it was so easy.
Wish I could show you a picture of mine.
Atta Girl Amy says
Feel free to email me a photo, Cindy, at amy@attagirlsays.com. I’d love to see it!
Mariel @ Or so she says... says
This is seriously adorable!! Fun to play but also fun to make!
The Little Tourist says
This is such a cute and creative idea! My kids will LOVE it!!!
Thanks for sharing 😉