Introduction: Battle Boats

A portable version of Battleship that can be made using an Altoids tin.

Step 1: Required Tools and Materials for Construction

*Warning: Hot Glue Gun, Plexi-Glass, and Utility Knife can be harmful for child use.*

Materials Required:

2 Empty Altoids Tins

Clear Plexiglass

2 Ultra Fine Tip Dry Erase Markers

Cardboard

Tools Required:

Hot Glue Gun

Utility Knife

Printer (for game template)

Ruler

Scissors

Step 2: Creating the Cardboard Base

  • Using a ruler and scissors, measure and cut out two 2 x 3 inch rectangles out of cardboard to support the plexiglass inside the tin.
  • Hot glue the perimeter on one side of each cardboard rectangle.
  • Place the first 2 x 3 inch cardboard rectangle on the bottom of the Altoids tin and the second rectangle on top of the first.

Step 3: Template Placement

  • Print out two copies per altoids tin from the provided template and cut both to 2 x 3 inches
  • Hot glue the perimeter of the cardboard rectangle facing up and place the template labelled "My Ships" over the glue to fit the cardboard rectangle
  • Keep the template labeled "Opponent Ships" aside for a later step

Step 4: Cutting the Plexiglass

  • Using the ruler and utility knife, measure and cut a plexiglass rectangle into a 2 x 6 inch rectangle matching the template and the cardboard rectangles from the previous step.
  • Place the plexiglass on the edge of a hard surface like a table.
    • Apply light hand pressure to crack the plexiglass off from the larger sheet of plexiglass.
    • It is optional to wrap the plexiglass in a towel or use gloves to avoid being cut.
  • Using the 2 x 6 inch plexiglass rectangle, use a ruler and utility knife to measure and cut the rectangle into two pieces
    • These two pieces should both be 2 x 3 inch, just like the cardboard rectangles from before.
  • Place the first plexiglass rectangle on top of the template and hot glue a thin layer of glue along the two long sides of the altoids tin to hold the the structure in place on top of the template and cardboard.

Step 5: Inserting the Second Template

  • Lightly hot glue the bottom of the second template labelled "Opponent Ships" and place it on the top of the lid securing it in place.
  • Hot glue both sides of the inside of the lid and place the second plexiglass in place over the template until it remains in place.

Step 6: Supporting the Lid

  • Using the hot glue gun, place two hot glue dots on the back of the altoids tin on each side to allow for the lid to stand at an angle where the opponent cannot see your game board.
    • *Make sure to not use too much glue or glue on the hinges as the lid will not be able to close*

Step 7: Have Fun!

The instructions for our game are very similar to the game Battleship and can be seen on the right side of the template.

  • Each player uses a dry erase marker to draw circles on the bottom template representing where their boats are located. Once a part of your ships is hit, you fill in the circle with the marker.
  • When guessing an opponent's ship, use the top template to draw circles for every ship position guessed correctly. For every position guessed incorrectly, place an "X" in the corresponding location

For more info on how to play see: https://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~bdu/TA/487/brules.htm

Pocket Sized Contest

Participated in the
Pocket Sized Contest