Today I’m sharing a fun math game for kids ages 4-6 – Race to 20!
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Race to 20
We’ve been doing a lot of math with unifix cubes lately, and this seemed like a fun one to add to the mix. I think Race to 20 is a popular math game for three reasons. It’s simple to set up, it’s simple to play, and it provides a lot of skill practice. My goal with Race to 20 was to help my Four visualize groups of ten, give him practice counting small groups, teach him how to add on from 10, and give him practice comparing numbers.
First I printed this game board (get it in the download at the end of the post). Then I got out a die and unifix cubes, and we sat down at the table.
Our goal was to be the first to get to 20 blocks in two towers of ten. We took turns rolling the die so that we would know how many blocks to add to our towers.
We built towers beginning at the bottom and going up. When a tower reached ten, we had to start again with the second tower.
We paused often to count how many blocks were in our towers and to see who was ahead (great practice comparing sets!). When he had a full tower of ten, my Four would try to count all his blocks beginning at the number one. But he learned to count on from ten when I prompted him. “We don’t have to start with 1. You know you already have a tower of ten blocks… now add on. Eleven, twelve, thirteen.”
This was a simple game with very little prep — with a lot of basic skills practice!
Here’s a simpler version of the game. I recommend labeling a blank die or wooden cube with the numbers 1,2,3,1,2 and 3.
And here’s a slightly more challenging one.
This is a great partner game for learning centers or something for your child to play at home with a parent or sibling. Will you try it?
Get your free Race to 20 game!
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Jenn
Thank you Anna for always sharing your resources with us! You love how you turn old ideas into something with a new look. It’s so kid friendly! Love the road down the middle, ten tower as a guide and how you labeled each player. This is definitely going into my math center once we play whole group!!!
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Jenn! I’m glad you’re finding helpful resources!
Rose
I LOVE this game! I can’t wait to use it with my first graders. What an easy way to differentiate and have fun learning! Thank you.
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Rose! I hope the students like them!
Suzanne
WOW! Your website and printables are AMAZING! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing these. I was looking for a few fun activities to jazz up my 4yo’s preschool and found a ton of great things here!!
Anna Geiger
You’re so welcome, Suzanne – thanks for the kind comment!