Picaria is a Native American board game which seems like a cross between tic-tac-toe and checkers. The board is pictured on the right. A printable version of the board is includes with the instructions, but it is simple enough that the scouts can draw their own. They can even color it or decorate it .
Materials:
- Board (printable copy above includes one)
- Two sets of markers with three in each set. You could use two different colors of stones or two types of dried beans or even checkers
Instructions:
- Start with an empty board
- Players should decide which color marker each will use and who will go first
- Each player takes turns placing one marker on the board until all of the markers have been placed. They cannot place a marker in the very center intersection of the board during this phase of the game.
- Next, players take turns moving one piece along a line to a different intersection on the board. During this phase of the game, they can move their markers to the center intersection.
- Players win by getting all three markers in a row, either in a straight line or diagonally.
I originally came across this idea on The Little Travelers site, but the rules on that site might be a little different than the traditional rules. But coming up with “house rules” is half the fun of playing games.
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