Lots of learning and fun with this snowman roll and cover dice game! Be sure to add it to your collection of math activities for preschoolers.
The snowman math game is not only lots of fun, but it’s also super simple to set up. You don’t need many materials to play the game, either. So you can have it ready to play tomorrow.
On top of that, the snowman dice game lets young children practice important early math skills as they play a game. There are even two versions of roll and cover snowman so you can differentiate based on the needs of your students.
Related: Free Preschool Printables
Kids love dice games. At least, that’s been my experience when teaching kindergarten and preschool. There’s just something about rolling a die that gets the kids excited.
So it’s fun to take that interest and attach it to a learning game like this one. The children get to have a blast tossing dice around as they practice early math concepts.
Snowman Roll and Cover
Creating a preschool theme around snowmen is always fun in the winter. Couple that theme with the kids’ love of dice games, and you have this snowman math game.
Grab your own free printable snowman game and set it up for the kids. It’s perfect alongside a weekly snowman theme in the preschool or homeschool classroom.
Related: Winter Activities for Preschoolers
Materials for the Snowman Dice Game
Here’s what we used for our snowman roll and cover (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Printable game (request yours at the end of this post)
- Dice
- Snowman mini erasers
- Snowflake sequins
- Printer
- Laminator (optional)
You can use the printable number cubes that come with the game, or you can use real dice. That’s up to you and the kids.
Prepping the Snowman Roll and Cover
Print out the snowman roll and cover – one copy per two kiddos. I tend to use these during center time, so I like to have four or five copies on-hand for the kids to play with.
For durability, I’d suggest laminating the game board. You can also place the game in a dry erase pocket. If durability isn’t a concern, then skip that part.
Related: Free Winter Printables
You can use regular dice, or print out the number cubes that come with the game. One of the printable cubes has the numerals 1 to 6 on it, while the other has the usual dice dots for the quantities 1 to 6. There are also number cubes for 7 to 12.
Grab whatever the kids will use for the game pieces. We loved using the snowmen erasers (I found ours at Target, but Amazon has some alternatives) and large snowflake sequins. Other possibilities include bottle caps or coins.
Snowman Roll and Cover Directions
This game is meant for two players. Player 1 rolls the die or number cube, and then covers up the appropriate numeral on the snowman. Player 2 takers their turn and does the same.
Players go back and forth until all of the numbers are covered up. At that point, they count their pieces. Whoever covered up the most numbers is the winner.
When we play, if a player rolls a number that’s no longer on the board, they lose that turn. I tend to teach this in a funny way, exaggeratedly snapping my fingers and saying, “Maybe next time!” in a silly voice. This takes away the sting of not being able to cover up a number on that turn.
The game is easily played with just one person, too. Kids are often very happy to roll a die and cover up numbers all on their own. I’ve known kids to play the dice game on their own over and over (and over!) again.
Other Ways to Play the Snowman Math Game
Another way we like to use number games like this is with bingo dot markers, crayons, or markers. In that case, I print out extra copies of the game board. I don’t laminate them if we’re playing this way, of course.
When the kids play this way, each player chooses one color. They use that color dot marker (or crayon or regular marker) to color in each number as they’re playing.
Whoever has the most at the end of the game gets to take the paper home (for homeschooling families, whoever wins can put it up in their bedroom).
You can also turn the printable into a count and stack game. Have the kids identify the numbers and try to stack the appropriate number of manipulatives on top of that spot. This works well with Unifix cubes or mini erasers.
Would your students enjoy this simple snowman roll and cover game? If you play it, I’d love to hear what the children think.
What are the Kids Learning with the Snowman Number Game?
I mentioned above that the snowman dice game lets kids practice a variety of early learning skills. Here are some of the concepts children can explore with the printable:
- Sportsmanship
- Taking turns
- Fine motor skills
- Subitizing
- Number identification
- Addition
- More and less
Not too shabby for a simple snowman roll and cover game, right? And if the children play more than once, they’re really honing in on important learning skills. All while having a good time!
Don’t forget to request your copy of the printable snowman dice game at the bottom of this post!
Printable Snowman Lesson Plans
Let Preschool Teacher 101 make your teaching life SO MUCH easier! We have hundreds of done-for-you resources that will make planning a snap. Be sure to check out The Pack, our membership for preschool and kindergarten teachers like you.
Click on the image below for our set of snowman lesson plans:
A week’s worth of snowman-themed lesson plans for the preschool classroom. Includes a weekly overview, detailed daily lesson plans, book lists, related printables, and more.
More Snowman Fun
If your students love all things snowmen, I have more ideas for you! I think these pair very well with the snowman roll and cover game:
- Melting Snowman Activity
- Snowmen at Night Art for Kids
- Name Snowman
- Ripped Tissue Paper Snowman Craft
- Roll a Snowman
- Easy Paper Snowman Art
- Popcorn Snowman Counting
Get the Snowman Roll and Cover Printable
This printable roll and cover snowman game is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, enter your information in the form below. You’ll then receive an email with the download links.
If you’re not a member yet, that’s okay! Enter your information in the form below to join us. You’ll get access to the snowman dice game as a welcome gift.
Please be aware that some computers (especially those belonging to school systems) block access to forms like this. If that’s a problem that you’re running into, I suggest using a personal computer at home instead.
If you can’t see the form above, click here to access it.
Originally published January 2017.
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