Counters & Dice: Roll, Count, Create

Focus: Counting, number recognition, and early addition

This activity combines dice and counters for a simple, playful way to explore counting and early number concepts. Children will enjoy rolling, counting, and building — while learning without realising it.

Equipment you’ll need:

• One or two dice

• A bowl of double-sided counters (or small objects to count)

• A tray or table

Setup:

Place the dice beside the bowl of counters on a tray or flat surface, ready for your child to discover.

Invitation to play:

Say: “Roll the dice and play with the counters!”

Possible play and learning:

Children might use the dice and counters to:

• Count out the correct number from the dice.

• Copy the dice patterns using counters.

• Build small arrangements such as lines or towers.

• Roll twice and combine the totals for early addition.

Why it matters:

Dice games are a playful way to introduce numbers and patterns. This activity develops counting, number recognition, subitising (recognising numbers without counting), and early addition skills. It also strengthens fine motor skills and gives children opportunities to experiment with numbers in a hands-on, engaging way.