• Welcome
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Learning Apps
  • Alphabet
  • Learn to Read
  • Phonics
  • Spelling
  • Struggling Readers
  • Comprehension
  • Writing with Kids
  • Free Printables

This Reading Mama

A Simple and Active Dice Game for Preschoolers

By thisreadingmama 7 Comments

I’ve been working with NJoy (age 3.5) for some time now, trying to help him understand that the dot patterns on a die don’t change. Although he’s had multiple and meaningful exposure with dice games, like our grid games, he still feels the need to count the dots on the dice each time he rolls. I was trying to think of a way to break him of counting each because I know he can do it without counting!

A Simple and Active Dice Game for Preschoolers - This Reading Mama

*This post contains affiliate links.

 

A Simple & Active Dice Game for Preschoolers

Just recently, we played a face-paced game that required throwing our Photo Stacking Blocks, running, tagging, and shouting…all up his alley. And boy the light bulb came on!

To prepare, I created some dice pattern inserts that fit into our Photo Stacking Blocks. Then, I simply wrote the numbers 1-6 on little pieces of paper and taped them to our wall (high enough so MBug couldn’t tear them off in the middle of our game).

recognizing dot patterns on dice, gameHe threw one die across the room.  (I love these blocks; they’re soft and won’t hurt anything.) He identified the number as quickly as he could, shouting out the number,

matching numerals to dot patterns on diethen ran over to the wall and tagged the number.

He stuck with the game for about 5-6 minutes, then ran to the kitchen, begging for some water. You know you’ve worn them out when they ask for water! But in that 5-6 minutes, he must have rolled the cube and identified the dot pattern at least 20-25 times.  Talk about multiple exposure. Yay!

 

coloring her lettersMBug (age 2) wanted on the fun when he was taking a break. I made up a few plain ABC inserts (update: you can find FREE alphabet inserts HERE). She colored them first (because she loves to color). I cut the letters out and let her roll throw her die.

active letter recognition gameShe did the same activity, except with a few letters and loved it, too!

This activity is seriously SIMPLE, yet highly effective for those active learners. He begged to play the game later that day and enjoyed it just as much. (Update: I was amazed at how much this activity helped him understand the dot patterns on dice. I don’t remember that we ever had to revisit that skill again because it clicked for him..)

  
 

Purchase these Photo Stacking Blocks HERE! They are WORTH the investment!Photo Stacking Blocks from Amazon

More Dice Ideas:

  • Learning Ideas with Photo Stacking Blocks
  • Alphabet Grid Games
  • Word Bump! (for every season)
  • Roll and Write a Sight Word

 

Download these dice inserts and numbers HERE.

 

Enjoy teaching!
~Becky

Want MORE Free Teaching Resources?

Join thousands of other subscribers to get hands-on activities and printables delivered right to your inbox!

Filed Under: Math Activities, Preschool Tagged With: PP

« Making Complete Sentences with Roll a Sentence (FREE Printable Included)
Saturday's Savorings: Happy Father's Day! »

Comments

  1. Carolyn Wilhelm says

    June 15, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    Great lesson. You were teaching number conservation and subatizing. I am sure your TpT stor is going to be a huge success! Carolyn

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      June 16, 2012 at 6:38 am

      You’re so encouraging once again! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jodi says

    June 16, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Looks like a lot of fun. So great to work their brains and bodies at the same time.

    Reply
  3. Mackenzie says

    June 22, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    I love these hands-on activities! So many great ideas here! Thanks for sharing this great post on Saturday Show & Tell @ Cheerios and Lattes last week! 🙂 Hope to see you again this weekend! 🙂
    Mackenzie

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. ABCs of Gross Motor Day 1: A-E | 3 Dinosaurs says:
    January 7, 2013 at 5:02 am

    […] Here are some great D Blog Posts: The Good Long Road – Cinco De Mayo-Inspired Dance Tatyland Montessori – DIY Balance Beam This Reading Mama – Dice Dot Pattern Game […]

    Reply
  2. Learning Games with Dice says:
    August 22, 2013 at 1:00 am

    […] Dice Dot Pattern Game […]

    Reply
  3. Dice Games for Preschoolers - The Measured Mom says:
    September 14, 2014 at 1:02 am

    […] active dice dot pattern game from This Reading Mama is perfect for a rainy day!  It will have your child learning and […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER

and get free printables!

Sign me up!


Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

Let’s Get Connected!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Checkout
  • Privacy
  • Affiliates

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by Visibilia Media