Materials Needed:

• One Picaria board (printed or hand-drawn)
• 3 markers for each player (6 total). Use small stones, beans, buttons, or other small objects.
• Two players

Board Setup:

1. Use a square board with 9 points (like a tic-tac-toe board) plus diagonal lines connecting corners and the center.
2. Make sure all points and lines are clear.
3. Each player picks 3 markers of the same color or type.

Game Setup:

1. Start with an empty board.
2. Players decide who goes first.
3. Players take turns placing one marker at a time on any empty point except the center.
4. Keep placing until all 6 markers are on the board.

Game Play:

1. Now, take turns moving one marker along a line to an empty point.
2. From this point on, the center may be used.
3. Markers must move only along the lines. No jumping.
4. A player wins by getting all 3 markers in a row — across, up and down, or diagonally.

Notes and Variations:

• For younger Scouts, stop after the placement phase. First to get 3 in a row wins.
• For older Scouts, add a timer (like 30 seconds per move).
• Allow Scouts to decorate their boards and markers to make it more fun.
• Keep pieces small enough not to roll off, but not so small they become choking hazards. Always supervise younger Scouts.

For more information, see https://scoutermom.com/24833/picaria-a-native-american-game/