How to Play Tic Tac Toe and Checkers with Dino Magnetic Games
By Crocodile Creek | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: How-to Guides
Turn one compact magnetic set into two classic games. Follow these steps to teach dino tic tac toe and magnetic checkers for kids, plus fixes for common mistakes on the go.
Quick answer
Open the dual-sided magnetic board, choose a side, and play tic tac toe first with the dinosaur pieces. Then flip to the checkers side and use the same pieces with standard checkers rules. Keep the board flat so the magnets hold, and let kids under 7 play checkers with a simplified "one jump only" rule until they get the hang of it.
Set up the dino board so pieces stay put
Unfold the magnetic board and lay it flat on a table, tray, or lap desk. The dinosaur pieces stick to the surface, so a flat start prevents sliding during play. If you are in a car or restaurant, wipe the board with a dry cloth first to remove crumbs or condensation that can weaken the magnetic grip. Decide who goes first before placing any pieces, and keep unused pieces in the folded half of the board so they do not get lost.
Teach tic tac toe in three quick rounds
Tic tac toe is the easier side, so start there. Player one places a dino piece on any square, then player two places a different dino piece on another square. Take turns until someone gets three in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. If all nine squares fill with no three in a row, the round is a draw. Play three rounds and swap who goes first each time so both kids get a turn at the advantage.
Flip to checkers and simplify the rules for beginners
On the checkers side, each player gets their own set of magnetic pieces and places them on the dark squares of the first three rows closest to them. Pieces move one square diagonally forward. Capture an opponent's piece by jumping over it to an empty square directly beyond. If a player reaches the far row, that piece becomes a king and can move diagonally forward or backward. For kids new to the game, play without forced jumps and allow only one jump per turn until they remember the flow.
Fix the two most common on-the-go mistakes
The first mistake is letting pieces pile up off the board, which makes them easy to lose. Keep a small pouch or the folded board half as a holding area. The second mistake is rushing turns while the board is tilted on a lap. If pieces start sliding, stop and reset the board on a flat surface. A quick reset takes ten seconds and prevents a frustrated end to the game.
Step-by-step: play and teach both games
- Unfold and flatten the board: Open the dual-sided magnetic board and place it on a flat surface. Keep spare dino pieces in the folded half. Checkpoint: if pieces slide, the surface is not flat enough.
- Play tic tac toe first: Take turns placing one dino piece per turn. Win with three in a row. Play three rounds and rotate who starts. Checkpoint: a full board with no three in a row is a draw, not a loss.
- Flip to checkers and set up: Give each player their own pieces and fill the first three rows of dark squares on each side. Checkpoint: count pieces before starting so a missing piece does not stall the game.
- Move and capture: Move one square diagonally forward. Jump an opponent to capture. Reach the far row to become a king. Checkpoint: for beginners, skip forced jumps and allow one jump per turn.
- Reset and store: After the game, return all pieces to the folded board half and close it. Wipe the surface if you played near food. Next step: keep the folded set in a bag pocket so it is ready for the next wait.
Why this set works for travel and teaching
- Magnetic Games/Tic Tac Toe & Checkers - Dino: Double the fun with this portable magnetic game set featuring adorable dinosaur characters! Perfect for road trips, restaurants, or quiet time at home, this compact game board offers two classic games that kids love. The magnetic pieces stay securely in place, making it ideal for play anywhere. Two games in one: Tic-tac-toe and checkers on dual-sided magnetic boards. Portable design: Compact folding. One folding set covers both tic tac toe and checkers, so you can teach one game and then flip to the other without packing extra pieces. The magnetic hold is what makes restaurant and car play practical.
