Looking for easy games to play on paper for kids? The dots and boxes game printable template is a fun way for kids to connect dots on dotted grid paper. Download this dot game template for a small dot game or a large dots and boxes game that kids can play with a partner!
Connect the dots board game is a great way to keep busy on a long car ride or any time you want the family to unplug from devices.
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Dots and Boxes Game Free Printable
I’ve created a variety of dots and boxes printable game templates for you to have a quick and easy way to play dots and boxes with your kids! You will find small size dots and boxes templates, medium size dots and boxes templates, large dots and boxes templates, and full page dots and boxes templates.
These free printable dots and boxes games can be used for unplugging kids from their screens. I want my kids to be unplugged, but they need something to do and this game is great for engaging them in a game without screens. Use these for long car rides, any time you have to wait (at restaurants or doctor offices), or to do something fun with the whole family!
Dots and boxes paper game is actually a really great problem solving and math tool. I never realized this when I was younger, but kids can learn strategies and the math behind how to solve and win dots and boxes.
What is the dot game called?
Originally dot and boxes game was called “la pipopipette” by creator Eduardo Lucas, a 19th century French mathematician. Dots and boxes is a classic pencil and paper game that is well known by other popular names including game of dots, dot to dot grid, pigs in a pen, or boxes. When I was little we called the paper game of dots and boxes, dots and dashes.
How to Play Dots and Boxes
SUPPLIES:
- Pencils, Pens, Crayons, Markers (anything to write with)
- Dot Grid Paper
- Partner to play with
INSTURCTIONS FOR DOTS AND BOXES GAME:
- Object of the Game: Earn the most points by completing the most boxes.
- 2 players take turns drawing a horizontal or vertical line connecting 2 dots.
- The player who completes the 4th side of a 1 by 1 box earns a point and writes their initials in the box. When a player completes a box they get another turn.
- The game ends when no more lines can be placed.
- The winner is the player with the most points!
Strategy for How to Win Dots and Boxes
A player wins dots and boxes by completing a square and then that player gets another turn. The player with the most completed squares wins.
In the beginning of the game, the best strategy is to add lines without creating a line that forms a 3 sided square. When you add the third line, your opponent will be able to win the box and get another turn.
The best strategy to win the dots and boxes game is to always look for opportunities to give up fewer boxes to your opponent. For example, if you have the opportunity to complete 6 boxes it would be better to complete 4 and use your extra turn to create a winning opportunity for the opponent to only earn 2 boxes. That would force the opponent to use their extra turn to give you a 3 sided box that would lead to more boxes!
The key is to decide how many boxes you want to give up in order to make more boxes!
Download Free Dots and Boxes Game Templates
Download these free dots and boxes game templates to play with friends, family, or in class! Just click on the purple links below to get the Dots and Boxes Game PDF that comes with small, medium, and large printable games. Print as many as you need!
I recommend that you save the PDF to your computer and then print for the best quality prints. For these games I like to use regular copy paper, but you could also print them on card stock and laminate them for use more than one time.
