Make Way for Ducklings Preschool Number Game

Combine math activities for preschoolers with early literacy concepts in this preschool number game. The ducklings and dice math game was inspired by the book, Make Way for Ducklings. What other ways can you think of to bring this book to life? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Related: Homemade Games for Kids

Have you ever read Make Way for Ducklings with your kiddos? I have found memories of reading it when I was younger, and then reading it again (and again and again!) now that I have a kiddo of my own. So I was pretty excited this book was chosen for the third Book Club Play Date spotlight! For my part, I’m sharing a simple preschool number game to play after reading the book.

preschool number game – ducklings & dice

As I’ve already mentioned, this is a simple game but it’s loads of fun and stuffed to the gills with learning. And you’ll only need a few materials, depending on how you choose to use it in your classroom (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):

• Dice
• Crayons
• Dry-erase markers
• Laminator
• Laminator sheets
• Counters
• Math manipulatives

Here’s how you play –

First, you’ll need to print out a free copy of the game HERE. If the kiddos want to color in their dice games, I’d suggest going with the black-and-white version. There’s also a colorful version that can be laminated and used over (and over and over)!

The game is usually played with two children, but more can help out too! Each child picks her own color crayon, then the game begins. Player 1 rolls a die, determines the number of dots (via pattern recognition or counting), locates the appropriate numeral on the paper, and then colors in that number. Next, it’s on to player 2. The game goes on like this until the whole paper is covered. Whoever colored in the most numbers can take home the paper.

Of course, there are other ways to play:

• Use counters on the laminated version, playing almost the same as described above.
• Get the kiddos to move their bodies along with the game! Maybe they have to waddle like a duck and count to the correct number. Perhaps they could hop on one leg four times when they roll the number four!
• Bring in more numbers to introduce addition if the kiddos are ready for that.

why a preschool number game?

If you’re a regular Fun-A-Day reader, you know I love sharing dice games I’ve made for (and played with) the kiddos. I’ve found that children of all ages just love games that involve dice. I don’t know if it’s because you get to toss the dice, or if dice just remind kids that learning can be a game. No matter what, an easy preschool number game is almost always a hit (and not just with preschoolers)!

Here are some of the learning that can take place with an easy-peasy game like our Duckling Dice Game:

• Counting practice
• Pattern recognition
• Number identification
• Color identification
• Numeral-to-quantity matching
• Turn taking
• Good sportsmanship

Not to shabby for something that looks like a duck and makes you smile! 😉

Be sure to check out the rest of the Make Way for Ducklings awesomeness from my Book Club Play Date peeps:

Duck Snack for Kids | Still Playing School

Make Way for Ducklings Busy Bag | Craftulate

Make Way for Ducklings Print Craft | House of Burke

Ducklings Sensory Play | Sugar Aunts

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

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