Dots and Boxes for Kids: Play with Flags Online

The pencil-and-paper game, now with flags. Take turns joining two dots that sit next to each other. Draw the fourth side of a box and it's yours: your flag fills it and you go again. When every box is taken, whoever has the most wins. Play a friend on the same device or play the computer, on a small, medium or big board.

At a glance

• For ages 5 to 12
• Free, with no sign-up and nothing to install
• Play a friend on one device, or the computer
• Plays in the browser on phones, tablets and computers, in 7 languages

How to play

1. Choose to play a friend on the same device or play the computer, Flagoo, and pick a small, medium or big board.
2. Each player picks a country flag. Take turns tapping the gap between two dots to draw a line in your color.
3. Draw the fourth side of a box and it's yours: your flag fills it and you go again. When every box is taken, the most boxes wins.

What kids learn

Planning ahead and thinking about what the other player will do next, counting and comparing scores, and taking turns, plus the flags kids choose to play with.

Tips for parents and teachers

• Point out the trick of the game: drawing a box's third side hands that box to the other player.
• Play once on paper with a pencil, then on the screen, and compare.
• Count the boxes together at the end to see who won.

Questions from grown-ups

Can my child play alone?

Yes. Choose Play with Computer. Flagoo plays gently: it doesn't always take a free box or spot the trap, so kids can win.

Which board should we start with?

Small (3 by 3 boxes) is a quick first game for 5 and 6-year-olds; Big (5 by 5) makes a longer game with more planning.

Is this the same as the paper game?

Yes, it's classic dots and boxes: the same rules, with flags in the boxes instead of initials.

Do both players need their own device?

No. Pass the device between turns. Each turn is read aloud.

Does it work on a projector?

Yes: split the class into two teams, one per flag, and let the teams take turns choosing a line.

Is it free? Does my child need an account?

Yes, it's free, with no sign-up, login, or download, and it never asks for personal details. It runs in the browser on phones, tablets, and computers.

Try these next

• Flag Tic-Tac-Toe: Get 3 in a line — vs a friend or the computer!
• Flag Four in a Row: Line up 4 flags — vs a friend or the computer!
• Memory Match: Flip cards, find the matching flags

More free games on Flagoo

• Flag Run
• Flag Hunter
• Memory Match
• Flag Match 3
• Flag Four in a Row
• Flag Tic-Tac-Toe
• Flag Snakes & Ladders
• Flag 2048
• Flag Snake
• Sliding Flag Puzzle
• Flag Checkers
• Flag Bubbles
• All Flagoo games

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