Ultimate Tic Tac Toe Printable
Check out this paper and pencil game that takes classic tic tac toe to the next level. This Ultimate Tic Tac Toe printable adds strategy, planning, and a whole new challenge to a familiar game.
The free printable PDF includes directions, a sample finished game, and a full Ultimate Tic Tac Toe game board. It is an easy, screen-free activity for older kids, teens, families, classrooms, or anyone who enjoys strategy games. You can download it for free at the bottom of the post or inside the Growing Play library if you are a member.
What Is Ultimate Tic Tac Toe?
Ultimate Tic Tac Toe is played on a large tic tac toe board made up of nine smaller tic tac toe boards. Instead of simply trying to get three Xs or Os in a row, players need to win the smaller boards to eventually win the larger game.
There is another twist. Where you play your turn determines where your opponent must play next. For example, if you mark the top-right square of a small board, your opponent must make their next move somewhere on the top-right small board. That one rule turns an extremely simple game into a much more challenging strategy game.
How to Play Ultimate Tic Tac Toe
Player X begins by choosing any open square on any of the nine small boards. The location of that square determines which small board Player O must use for the next turn.
Players continue taking turns following this rule. Get three marks in a row on a small board and you claim that board with your X or O. If you are sent to a board that has already been won or is full, you may choose any unfinished board for your next move. The goal is to win three small boards in a row across the larger game board.
Why Ultimate Tic Tac Toe Is More Challenging
Traditional tic tac toe is easy to learn because players only need to think about the current board. Ultimate Tic Tac Toe requires you to think about what happens several moves ahead.
Every move involves two decisions at once. You need to decide where you want to place your mark while also considering where that move will send your opponent.
Players get practice with:
- strategic thinking
- planning ahead
- visual spatial skills
- problem solving
- attention and concentration
- flexible thinking
- recognizing patterns
- decision making
It is a great example of how a simple paper and pencil game can require quite a bit of thinking.
A Helpful Strategy for Beginners
When you first start playing, it is tempting to focus only on winning the small board in front of you. Remember to look at the entire board before making your move.
Ask yourself where your move will send the other player. Sometimes the best move on your current board is not the best move for the overall game.
As players become more experienced, they can start thinking several turns ahead and setting up opportunities to claim three small boards in a row.
What Is Included in the Free Printable PDF?
The Ultimate Tic Tac Toe printable PDF includes two pages.
Page one provides the directions and a visual example showing how one player’s square determines the next board. It also includes a sample completed game so players can see how winning individual boards leads to winning the overall game.
Page two provides a clean game board with spaces for Player X and Player O. The reminder at the top reads, “Your square chooses the next board. Win three small boards in a row.”
When to Use This Paper and Pencil Game
Keep a few copies available for indoor recess, early finishers, family game night, travel, waiting rooms, study halls, or screen-free downtime.
Since all you need is the printable and two pencils, Ultimate Tic Tac Toe is also an easy activity to tuck into a backpack or travel bag.
Make It a Paper and Pencil Game Challenge
Once players understand the rules, try playing multiple rounds. Switch who gets to be X and who gets to be O and see whether different strategies emerge.
You can even keep a running tally of wins and turn it into a small Ultimate Tic Tac Toe tournament.
Download the Free Ultimate Tic Tac Toe Printable
Ready to play? Download the free Ultimate Tic Tac Toe printable PDF below. Print the directions and sample game for your first round, then print extra copies of the game board whenever you want to play. Grab two pencils, choose X or O, and start thinking ahead!
