We’re rounding up the letter K, so I made Kite Roll and Cover: a free addition game to use with your preschooler, kindergartner, or first grader.
(This post includes affiliate links.)
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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Claudia says
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 says
What a great idea, Claudia! I’ll have to remember that when we’re ready for the next level.
Samantha says
Thanks!
Anna Geiger says
You’re welcome, Samantha!
Andrea @ No Doubt Learning says
My kids are preK and 1st and we love games! Thanks!
Anna Geiger says
Hope you get lots of use out of this one, Andrea!
Laura M. says
Really cute, looks fun! Hopping over from Teach Me Tuesday! Thanks for sharing it as a printable too!
Anna Geiger says
You’re welcome, Laura – I hope you can use it!
Kirstylee says
I love this game! This is perfect for my 5 year old to start practicing addition. Thank you for offering this printable.
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Kirstylee!
Kristina says
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 says
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. 🙂
Lindsey Whitney says
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 says
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!!
Lauren says
This is fabulous. I have a son with autism, and this is right up his alley! Thank you!
Anna Geiger says
That’s great, Lauren – so glad to help!
Tracee says
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 says
We moms with kids close together need as much help as we can get 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Tracee!
Sharla says
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 says
I hope you can use them, Sharla! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
Ashley says
Such an adorable game! I featured this post on Mom’s Library too!
Anna Geiger says
Thanks so much for the feature!
Allison says
I love this game! I’ll be featuring it at The Sunday Showcase this weekend. Thanks for linking up!
Anna Geiger says
Thank you so much for the feature, Allison!
Carrie says
What a great game!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Anna Geiger says
Thanks for checking it out, Carrie!
Maggie says
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 says
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?
Annette Harvey says
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 says
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!