Roll the Dice Preschool Math Game

By Charlene Haukom

Teach preschool addition and subtraction with the Roll the Dice Preschool Math Game. This easy to set up Educational Preschool Game will keep preschoolers occupied all morning! Although this preschool game is geared towards groups of preschoolers, it can be easily modified to play with just one or two preschoolers.

What You Will Need

2 Dice
Dry Erase Board with Dry Erase Pens or Chalk Board with Chalk

How to Play

1. Have your preschoolers sit in a circle.

2. Designate a “Circle Leader”. You could choose the oldest preschooler, youngest preschooler, the preschooler wearing the most blue, etc.

3. The Circle Leader rolls the dice into the center of the circle. Notate the roll on your dry erase or chalk board. You’ll want to write the total number as well as the number on each die.

For example, if the preschooler rolled a four and a three, write 4, 3, and 7 at the top of the board. Leave plenty of space between each number.

4. Now for the preschool math lesson.

Preschool Addition: Under the 4 (or largest number rolled), draw four dots in the same pattern as on the die. Count each dot as you draw it to reinforce counting skills. After you’ve drawn the fourth dot, say “Four dots plus one – two – three more dots equals…” Draw the 3 dots of the other die as you say this statement. Now count all the dots while saying, “…seven dots.” Draw a 7, then draw seven total dots.

Preschool Subtraction: Draw four dots again, counting as you go. Then say, “Four dots minus one – two – three dots equals…” Erase dots one at a time as you say this statement.  Then point to the last dot and say, “…one dot.”

5. Moving clockwise, have each preschooler roll the dice into the center of the circle. If the preschooler rolls numbers that can’t be added or subtracted to equal the same total number as the Circle Leader, then play continues and the next preschooler rolls.

If, however, the preschooler rolls the same TOTAL number as the Circle Leader, then someone is out. If the preschooler rolls the same combination as the Circle Leader, then the preschooler who just rolled is out. If the preschooler rolls the same TOTAL, but with a different combination of dice, then the Circle Leader is out. The preschooler who just rolled becomes the new Circle Leader.

For example, if the preschooler rolls a four and a three, the rolling preschooler is out. If the preschooler rolls a five and a two, then the Circle Leader is out.

6. Each time a preschooler rolls the dice, repeat the preschool math lesson in Step 4.

7. Repeat Steps 2 though 6 until you’ve made it around the circle or only the Circle Leader remains.

Variations of Roll the Dice Preschool Math Game

If you don’t have a group of preschoolers but still want to play, simply write a number from 1 to 10 on your dry erase/chalk board. Have your preschooler roll the dice and try to match the number you’ve written. Do the preschool math lesson in Step 4 for each roll. If you don’t have a dry erase or chalk board, you can use a pen and paper.

---

Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.