Oversized Tic-tac-toe is a great way for the family to play games together and enjoy the outdoors.
Tic-tac-toe, also known as Naughts and Crosses, has entertained people for centuries. It’s been found everywhere from the temples of ancient Egypt to the medieval cathedrals of England, according to UC Berkeley GamesCrafters.
Read on to learn how to make concrete Tic-tac-toe pieces.
5 spray-paint can lids or another cylindrical object
Fast-drying caulk
Melamine shelf boards
Miter saw
Wood screws
Drill & Drill bits
Tape measure
Wood pencil
Trowel
Silicone cake pans allow for easy removal once the concrete pieces are cured. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Create Forms
To create forms for o’s, use 6-inch silicone cake pans and lids from spray-paint cans. Glue the lids to the centers of the cake pans with fast-drying caulk. Wipe off the excess caulk.
Melamine has a hydrophobic (water-resistant) coating that allows concrete to cure at the surface. This makes it easier to remove when the concrete is cured. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
To make the x’s, cut a melamine shelf board to build a 30-inch by 6-inch open tray.
A miter saw makes it easy to cut the triangles at a perfect angle. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
You need two triangle sizes to create the x’s:
Cut 10 triangles at a 38-degree angle from a 2-inch piece of melamine board.
Cut 10 triangles at a 59-degree angle from a 1-⅞-inch piece of melamine board.
Once the concrete is thoroughly mixed, scoop it into the forms and use the trowel to level the mix with the top of each form. Cover the molds with plastic to help curing.
Let the tic-tac-toe pieces cure for five days in warm weather (at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) or for seven days in colder weather (50-70 degrees Fahrenheit).
Once the pieces have cured, remove them from the forms. Rough edges can be easily removed by sanding.
Now, all you need is a little sidewalk chalk to draw your game grid — then the fun can begin!
Erin writes about all things shopping-related for The Kitchn, including highlighting small cookware brands, testing cool products, or scoping out need-to-know sales. She’s also a regular at the Trader Joe’s cheese section and has a never-ending supply of tea at home.
Erin writes about all things shopping-related for The Kitchn, including highlighting small cookware brands, testing cool products, or scoping out need-to-know sales. She’s also a regular at the Trader Joe’s cheese section and has a never-ending supply of tea at home.
If you upgrade to a smart grill, you can become a barbecue boss.
Read on to learn how new technology can take your grilling game up a level.
Charcoal grills require constant monitoring to keep the temperature even. (Martin Bohac, Pexels)
The Downside of Traditional Grills
With charcoal grills, it’s difficult to maintain a steady temperature. You frequently have to add more charcoal to keep the heat at the temperature you need.
Even with heat-efficient propane grills, you’re constantly monitoring your food so you don’t overcook it or burn it to bits.
And with both, there’s no room for multi-tasking — the food requires your undivided attention.
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The state-of-the-art LED touch-screen control panel operates on a finely tuned algorithm that can maintain even cooking temperatures for hours. That means no more fiddling with knobs to maintain your grill’s internal temperature.
Because it’s wifi-connected, you can remotely monitor and control your food temperature through the Nexgrill app equipped with NEX-fi.
All you need to do is insert the digital thermometer probes into your food and choose your temperature. Set the grill on a timer or have it will shut off when the food reaches the exact temperature that you desire.
Now, you’re free to do whatever else you need! Prepare side dishes inside without having to walk out to check on the grill every few minutes. Or break free from behind the grill to mingle with guests.
The Nexgrill app also offers recipes, grilling tips and a community to share your experiences with other grillers.
Wi-fi not working? No worries! The Neevo 720 Smart Grill can also fire up the old-fashioned way — with no app or automation required.
The Neevo 720 Smart Grill has just over 455 square inches of total cooking space, 44,000 BTUs of total cooking power, and a removable grease tray for easy cleaning.
Preset modes include auto-warm and self-cleaning — just like your kitchen oven!
Two side shelves offer added prep space, and moving the grill around is easy with its two-caster and two-wheel configuration.
Watch the video to learn all about this Best New Product!
Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, and Cubby helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).
