Dice Games = Math Fun

One “math manipulative” that most of us already have in our homes is dice. This little cubed figure is our best friend when it comes to teaching multiple math concepts.

Dice games are versatile. They can be based on luck, skill, planning, or all of the above. You can find games to play with two players or twenty, on a table or on the floor, and ages 3 – 80 can enjoy them together. They are a great way to practice math skills and pass the time.

First, here’s a few helpful tips when playing with dice:

– Use a cup to control shaking before the roll (this can be noisier but that is okay!).
– To prevent dice from falling to the floor, instruct students to cup one hand as if it were a soccer goal and roll the dice with the other hand into the “goal”.
– Use old place mats or felt squares to dampen the noise of dice rolling.
– Students often get overly excited about rolling dice, creating flying dice and theatrics. Use this rule to help keep gaming orderly: If dice are rolled off the mat, the player loses his/her turn.

Next, here are some great links to a multitude of cool dice math game ideas:

DO-IT-YOURSELF MATH GAMES WITH DICE

PRINTABLE MATH GAMES USING DICE

A BUNCH MORE DICE GAMES FROM ACTIVITYVILLAGE