• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Games / Dots and Boxes Game: An Indoor Game You Can Play Instantly

     

    Dots and Boxes Game: An Indoor Game You Can Play Instantly

    629 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Dots and boxes is a great pen and paper game that kids can play instantly with just a pen and paper. My older son (age 10) loves to play it. Dots and boxes appeals to his highly developed sense of spacial awareness and interest in logic games. His 6 year old brother still needs guidance. He understands the rules, but his impulsiveness leads him to make non-strategic moves.

    How to play dots and boxes game. A fun indoor boredom buster for kids and families.

    My 10 year old is actually better than I am! One reason is that I am not as patient when it comes to games that require a lot of planning ahead (this is the main reason I dislike chess). He is much more interested in figuring out strategies than I am.  However, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it! Dots and Boxes is a great game for both kids and grownups. (Note: affiliate links included below)

    How to play Dots and Boxes:

    Object of the Game: To close as many boxes as you can.

    Set up: Lay out a grid of dots. We like a grid of 4 by 4, but it doesn't matter. You can play with as few or as many dots as you like. We recently bought a cool notepad of dot paper with the intention of playing a huge game!

    Instructions:

    Each player choses a different color pencil or pen.

    The first player draws a straight line between two adjacent dots. You can not draw diagonal lines.

    The second player draws a line between two dots.

    Play continues in this manner until eventually a player can close a box. After closing a box, player puts his initial inside to "claim" it. He then gets another turn. If he is able to close an additional box, he gets yet another turn, until he can not close any more boxes. Play then continues with the other player.

    If the instructions are difficult to understand watch my video below. It's actually quite simple, but easier to understand if you can see the game in action.

    MORE QUICK AND EASY IDEAS:

    • 20 brain tickling waiting games for kids
    • 5 Thinking Games for Kids
    • Awesome but Ugly Easy Indoor Activities
    • Indoor Family Games (no board necessary)
    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « How to Find Time to Read (Without Neglecting Your Children)
    14 President Books For Kids (That Won't Put You to Sleep) »
    629 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meeghan says

      January 09, 2015 at 10:35 am

      We love this game too! it is a great idea for an indoor activity...we have not played it in a while. Since we are stuck indoors for the weather today, I will definitely play dots and boxes with the kids today.

      Reply
    2. Jennifer says

      January 09, 2015 at 12:53 pm

      My three year old would LOVE this! She's constantly making structures out of toothpicks, and loves Connect Four - seems like the perfect hybrid!

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        January 10, 2015 at 6:17 pm

        I didn't even think of that connection, but you are so right!

        Reply
    3. E.S. Ivy says

      January 15, 2015 at 6:44 pm

      Love this game! It's a great boredom buster in the car and long talks that kids have to sit through. Not that I would encourage them to play it in class.... 🙂

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        January 18, 2015 at 6:43 am

        Ha ha! Better than texting under the desks, though.

        Reply
    4. Mary Lynne says

      May 22, 2015 at 9:20 am

      I loved to play this game when I was young. For a while it was an obsession with my friends and me. Best part: all you need is a piece of paper and a pencil. We knew it as the French Polytechnic Game.

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        May 23, 2015 at 6:54 am

        I've never heard it called that. How interesting!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you keep using this website we will assume you are OK with that. Read our privacy policy for more.OKRead more