Kids love board games. However, finding a math game that young children can play independently can be challenging. I created this DIY Kindergarten Math Activity using simple materials. My students not only loved it, they were able to play on their own, which is great in a classroom setting.
I created this game when my students were ready to work with numbers up to fifty. However, you can make the board work with any numbers you want. The game is really simple, and can be played a few ways.
Kids love playing with wooden blocks, and using them for this math activity gives kids a chance to play with them in a whole new way, while working on their math skills.
For more popular math activities, check out a free printable Math Number Hunt and 30+ Free Kindergarten Math Worksheets.
DIY Kindergarten Math activity Materials
For this activity you will need:
- Large Sheet of Paper (11×14 or larger ideally)
- Wooden Blocks (x50)
- Sharpie Marker
- Die
- Wooden People (Or other player pieces)
- Stickers (Or other decorative pieces)
If you don’t have the same wooden blocks as shown in the pictures, that’s okay, any pieces that are similar will work.
Creating Your Gameboard
Count out 50 wooden blocks. If you are only counting up to 20 or 25, you will only need this number of blocks.
Start by setting the blocks out onto the large sheet of paper. You can create any design you want as long as all 50 pieces fit onto the board. Set them out and then trace around the blocks to create your board.
DIY Kindergarten Math Activity
Once you have traced the blocks, remove them and fill in the numbers for each space. Start at one end, at one and number each block you traced. Decorate the board with stickers and any details you want. You can also add stickers to fit a certain theme, such as Christmas.
Once you have finished your board, prepare your blocks.
On each of your wooden blocks print a number from 1-50.
Kindergarten Math – Ways to Play
There are lots of ways you can play this game and use the board. You can also use it different ways, on different days!
The ultimate goal for the game is for children to practice their number recognition and counting skills.
The first step to playing this game is to create the board. There are a few ways to create the board.
Players can pick up a numbered block piece and find the matching number printed on the board. Players place the wooden blocks onto the board until all fifty are in place.
You can also place all of the wooden blocks, numbers showing on the table, and challenge children to recreate the board. Children have to find the block with the number one, and then number two and so on in order until all 50 are on the board.
Once all of the blocks are on the board, kids are ready to play!
Math Activity for Young Kids
How to Play
Each player gets a player piece and starts on the number one. Roll a die and then move the number rolled. The next player then rolls and moves. The first player to make it to fifty, wins.
Each time I do this activity in the classroom children play it again and again and then choose it again when I place it in a center for optional play. I think the hands-on element of creating the board with the blocks creates engagement and makes the game even more fun.
After kids have enjoyed playing the game, you can also place the board at a center in the room for children to play at. On their own children can use the blocks and recreate the board. Even children who are still learning their numbers, they can usually find the match of each block number.
It’s a fun, hands-on way to practice numbers and counting. Any way to make math meaningful and engaging is always a great addition to children’s learning.
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