Dots and Boxes: rules for kids
A classic pencil and paper game: players take turns drawing a line between two dots, and whoever closes a box claims it.
👥 2 players🎂 Ages 6+⏱️ 5-15 minutes
How to play Dots and Boxes
What you need
A sheet of paper with a grid of dots (for example 4x4 dots) and pens in two colors.
How to play
Players take turns drawing one line between two neighboring dots, across or up and down.
Whoever draws the fourth side of a box closes it, writes their initial inside, and takes another turn.
How to win
When every box is closed, the player who closed the most boxes wins.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most important tip?
Avoid drawing the third side of a box, because your opponent will simply close it. Whoever can avoid that the longest usually wins.
What size grid should we use?
A 4x4 grid of dots is quick and good for beginners. Older kids can play on 6x6 or larger for a longer, trickier game.