🎨 DIY Pop Art Tic‑Tac‑Toe Clay Board Game

Feel like crafting something that’s not totally cringe or overdone? Wanna make something that’s fun, messy, and actually cool enough to put on your coffee table? Same.
Here’s the thing: I didn’t set out to make a tic-tac-toe board. But I ended up making one. Out of clay. With pop art icons. And now my living room looks like a quirky gallery from 1985. I’m obsessed.

Let me tell you how it went down. (Spoiler: it involves squishy clay, bold colors, a couple of fails, and a very weird lip-shaped game piece that may or may not look like a peach emoji.)

🧠 Why Make a Pop Art Tic-Tac-Toe Board Anyway?

Alright, real talk. Most tic-tac-toe boards? Boring. Lifeless. Zero sass.

But pop art? That stuff screams. Think comic book vibes, bold AF colors, and cheeky icons. It’s the kind of aesthetic that doesn’t whisper — it yells. Loudly. In neon.

So I thought: why not mash the two together? Take a quiet little game and throw a full-on visual tantrum on it. Boom. A funky lil board game that’s part art piece, part “let’s kill time without scrolling TikTok.”

Plus, it’s not just a game — it’s a flex. When someone comes over and you casually drop, “Oh that? Yeah, I made it.” Instant cool points.

🛠️ What You Need to Make This Clay Game (No Fancy Tools, Promise)

Okay, so you don’t need to be Martha Stewart or have a kiln in your garage. This is low-key. Here’s the junk I grabbed:

• Polymer clay – grab whatever colors scream “POP!” (I used red, yellow, pink, white, and black)

• A rolling pin – or like, an old jar. Don’t overthink it.

• Toothpicks / craft knife / whatever can cut lines

• Baking tray – old, slightly gross is fine

• Gloss (optional) – only if you wanna get shiny with it

Oh, and music. You need music for this. I had Bowie blasting the whole time. Feels appropriate.

🔲 How I Made the Clay Board (and Kinda Winged It)

So this part is fun. And a bit chaotic. I didn’t use a ruler or plan or anything. I just smushed white clay into a thick slab. Eyeballed the size — maybe 5 inches square? Who cares. Just make it chunky enough so it won’t flop like a pancake.

Then I took a toothpick and scratched in the tic-tac-toe grid — just light lines, no deep carving. I tried making clean black clay strips to go on top, but LOL, no. They got all stretchy and weird. So scratched lines it is. Minimalist, let’s say.

Nothing was perfect. Some sides were uneven. One corner curled a little. I kind of loved that.

🎯 Making the Pop Art Game Pieces – Hearts, Bolts & a Weird Mouth

Now for the pieces — this is where it gets spicy.

I made 5 hearts and 5 lightning bolts. That’s your two sets. Red vs. yellow. Lovers vs. storm. Or whatever.

The hearts were chubby little blobs. Tried to go all “Barbie” with the pink. The lightning bolts? Zig-zaggy madness. Honestly, some looked like worms having a seizure. It’s fine.

And then I tried to get fancy. I wanted a pair of lips. Red lips, glossy, pouty. What I got looked like… well, something from a biology textbook. But I baked it anyway.

That’s the charm. Weird shapes. Imperfect edges. It’s like if a kid’s doodle grew up and became a game piece.

🔥 The Bake: Things Got a Bit… Crispy

Baked everything according to the clay packet. Which said like, 275°F for 15 minutes per ¼ inch. Did I measure? Nah. I watched it like a hawk through the oven window while eating crackers.

One of the hearts bubbled a bit. It looks like it’s melting in love. I dig it.

Let it all cool. That part’s crucial. Don’t get impatient like I did — I touched one too soon and nearly branded myself with a lightning bolt. Not cute.

✨ To Gloss or Not to Gloss (aka: Do You Want It Shiny?)

Here’s the deal: you can coat everything in a clear gloss once it’s cooled — like that Sculpey glaze or even some Mod Podge if you’re desperate. I didn’t. Mostly because I couldn’t find mine and also because I was lazy.

But if you’re more of a maximalist? Go for it. Gloss makes everything pop louder. Just be careful — if you overdo it, your hearts might start to look like candy. And then someone’s dog might try to eat one. (True story from a friend. RIP tiny clay taco.)

Anyway, matte = artsy gallery vibes. Gloss = Lisa Frank energy. Choose your fighter.

🕹️ Actually Playing with It (Spoiler: It’s Weirdly Addictive)

Okay so once the board and pieces were done, I plopped them on the coffee table like some kind of eccentric game designer. My roommate walked in and was like, “What is that?” — not in a judgy way, just in a “that looks way cooler than it should” way.

We ended up playing like five rounds. It’s way more fun when you’re holding a little lightning bolt and smacking it down like “TAKE THAT.” Something about the texture, the color, the homemade-ness of it all just hits different.

I swear, we were giggling like kids. (Also, the mouth piece? Became the unofficial “judge.” Just sat in the middle watching like a sassy emoji.)

🎁 It Makes a Dope DIY Gift (But Only for People Who Deserve It)

If you’re the gift-giving type, this thing? It’s perfect.

People love handmade stuff — especially if it’s cute and chaotic. You could even customize the pieces. Like, cats vs. tacos. Suns vs. moons. Whatever your bestie’s into. One of my friends wants a goth version: all black and red, with skulls and broken hearts. Honestly? Kinda into it.

Toss the whole thing in a small box, maybe write “Don’t be bored” on the lid in Sharpie, and boom — best gift at the party.

Unless someone brings a puppy. That always wins. But this is a solid second.

📸 It’s Totally Insta-Worthy (If You’re Into That)

So I don’t usually post my crafts online (because sometimes they look like trash and I have pride), but this one? Got the aesthetic. Snap a flatlay shot with some bold lighting and maybe a vintage filter, and it straight-up looks like something Urban Outfitters would charge $40 for.

Also, if you’re a content creator, it’s gold. You can do stop-motion reels, little playthroughs, even “make with me” videos. I got like 12 DMs after I posted it. People love weird clay stuff. Who knew?

💡 Pro Tips I Accidentally Discovered While Fumbling Through This

• Use a smooth surface. Otherwise your clay picks up crumbs, hair, bad vibes, etc.

• Clean your hands between colors. I didn’t. My white board has faint pink fingerprints. I pretend it’s “intentional distressing.”

• Don’t bake too hot. Clay burns fast, and then your house smells like sadness.

• Make extra pieces. One will break. One will vanish. It’s the law of crafting.

💬 Final Thoughts (But Like, Not in a Fancy Way)

Honestly, this little project pulled me out of a weird creative slump. There’s something super satisfying about making a game you can actually play — not just look at and forget. Every time I glance at it now, it kinda makes me smile.

Plus, it’s scrappy. It’s handmade. It’s got attitude. It’s pop art on a nap-time budget.

If you’ve got some clay and an hour or two, I say go for it. Make something weird. Make it loud. Make it yours.