Since my Four is just starting to get a handle on simple addition, I put stickers over the dots on two dice. Then I labeled them with 0,1,1,2,2 and 3. (What I really need is something like this blank die. Then I can program it however I want. That’s on my shopping list!)
I printed and laminated the game board (using this awesome home laminator –love it!). Then I placed it on a baking sheet, and we each chose a color of power magnets for our playing pieces. You can play this game with any kind of marker. But I’ve found that my kids really love the magnets. They were a great purchase — we use them in so many ways!
Choosing just the numbers 0-3 for the dice was a great choice. The game was slightly challenging, but not hard. Having just nine kites on the board kept it quick and simple for my preschooler. We played it two more times.
Tip: When your child gives an incorrect answer, ask how he found it. Here’s the conversation we had when my Four said that 2 +3 = 6.
“How did you get that answer?”
“I did it in my head.”
“So what did you do?”
“I just did it in my head.”
“Tell me how you figured it out.”
“2…3,4 — 5!”
“There you go!”
Here’s the preschool version of the game. I’m calling it Level One.
After a few rounds of the game, my Four was catching on quickly. So later I made a more difficult version of the game — this one uses dice numbered 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, and 4.
And when I saw how eager my Six looked as I was playing with her younger brother, I thought it would be good to create a Level Three version: this one uses two standard playing dice.
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Annette Harvey
I love your stuff! I teach First Grade, and use a lot of your games for our reteach groups that need more practice. Do you have any Subtraction games?
Kate Dowling
Hi Annette!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. Here are some links to subtraction games:
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/free-subtraction-game/
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/free-addition-and-subtraction-game/
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/free-math-games-teach-subtraction-strategies/
I hope you find something you can use!
Maggie
Hi Anna
Congratulations on a superb web. and thank youfor sharing your ideas an free prints. My you be blessesd.
I am a 60 year old grandma and like to stimulate my grand kids. I seem to have a problem downloading the free printeables. Get is done sometimes. The next time I try I battle.
Do I need to have a special downloading program? What am I doing wrong.
Than you again.
Maggie de Klerk South Africa
Anna Geiger
Hi Maggie, I’m sorry you’re having trouble. The first is to make sure that you are always downloading on the free printable and not on an advertisement. Make sure you are clicking on the green underlined link at the bottom of the post, NOT on the giant colorful “DOWNLOAD” banner which is actually an ad but shows up sometimes.
What is happening when it’s not working for you to download?
Carrie
What a great game!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Anna Geiger
Thanks for checking it out, Carrie!
Allison
I love this game! I’ll be featuring it at The Sunday Showcase this weekend. Thanks for linking up!
Anna Geiger
Thank you so much for the feature, Allison!
Ashley
Such an adorable game! I featured this post on Mom’s Library too!
Anna Geiger
Thanks so much for the feature!
Sharla
These are such great brightly coloured printables! I’m always on the lookout for anything math related as I find there aren’t as many math printables out there.
Thanks for linking up to Tender Moments with Toddlers & Preschoolers!
Anna Geiger
I hope you can use them, Sharla! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
Tracee
How bright and fun!! I have a Kinder, 1st, and toddler so you’ve covered all my needs 🙂 I love it!!
(Visiting from Family Fun Friday!)
Anna Geiger
We moms with kids close together need as much help as we can get 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Tracee!
Lauren
This is fabulous. I have a son with autism, and this is right up his alley! Thank you!
Anna Geiger
That’s great, Lauren – so glad to help!
Lindsey Whitney
Great idea! I love the idea of magnets so they are not rolling all over. Where did you get your colored set? (Visiting from Dollie’s link up!)
Anna Geiger
Hi Lindsey! If you click on the Amazon link in the post, you’ll see just where I got my colored power magnets. We love them!!
Kristina
I’m so excited for this! I can’t wait to try it out with my 3 year old! He loves anything math! Thanks!
Anna Geiger
That’s great, Kristina! My four year old has requested to play it since our first time, so that makes it a winner at our house. 🙂
Kirstylee
I love this game! This is perfect for my 5 year old to start practicing addition. Thank you for offering this printable.
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Kirstylee!
Laura M.
Really cute, looks fun! Hopping over from Teach Me Tuesday! Thanks for sharing it as a printable too!
Anna Geiger
You’re welcome, Laura – I hope you can use it!
Andrea @ No Doubt Learning
My kids are preK and 1st and we love games! Thanks!
Anna Geiger
Hope you get lots of use out of this one, Andrea!
Samantha
Thanks!
Anna Geiger
You’re welcome, Samantha!
Claudia
great kite idea, I am going to use level 1 as a subtraction template, using two dice Ill ask my child to deduct the lower number from the higher number of the two dice. Which should work out brilliantly
Anna Geiger
What a great idea, Claudia! I’ll have to remember that when we’re ready for the next level.