5 math game activities using dominoes for preschoolers
In the classroom, I primarily taught math, and the number of kids who I taught that did NOT have a strong foundation in numbers was staggering. There are many reasons for this, but a big reason for this is that math is rushed.
When it comes to math, you are building a foundation, and you want it strong. And that takes time!
Math is a skill that builds on itself, so when your kids are little, focus on the basics, like number values and number relationships, for longer than you think is necessary. Having that strong foundation will allow those harder skills in the future to come with ease and make sense.
If you really want to build your child's math skills The Preschool Playbook is exactly what you want.
These math activities will encourage new learning to take place while you and your little ones enjoy.
So let’s jump right into it and get started. Here are 5 activities using Dominoes!
1️. Matching:
- Grab a handful of dominoes and draw each of them on a piece paper.
- Option: Draw each of the dominoes using the dots or by using the number symbol.
- Have your kiddo match the domino to the drawing.
2️. Counting all the Dots: This is a great way to start the conversation about addition.
- On a piece of paper, write some numbers between 0 & 12. Ex: 4,5,6.
- Grab a handful of dominoes that match the numbers you selected when you count all the dots on the domino. Ex: A domino with 0 on one side and 6 on the other totals 6, or a domino with a 2 on one side and 2 on the other totals 4.
- Have your kiddo count all the dots on the domino and sort it based on the value.
3. More than 5, Less than 5: I’m going to start off by saying this is a higher level skill, so know your child to know what they are capable of.
- Start with three dominoes and make a chart with one side labeled more than five and the other side label less than five. (I recommend drawing the sign as well as writing it out.)
- Grab a domino, count the dots on the domino, and have your kiddo determine if it is more than five or less than five.
- So for this activity, we’re basically playing the game of dominoes when you match two pieces together based on them having the same number. However, we have a bit of a twist. In order to help our kiddos learn how to play, you will basically be mapping out the game beforehand.
- Map out a game of dominoes drawing each domino (you can draw the dominoes using dots or the number symbol).
- Have your kiddo match the domino to the chart.
5️. Domino Engineering: This is just a fancy way of saying domino mazes. Remember as a kid when you knock one, and the rest fall over? It’s simple and fun, but man, does it work on problem-solving and tenacity. (which are some very important skills for our young kids.)
- Have your kiddo stack the dominos in any pattern and line them up.
- Now let them have fun knocking them down and watching the show!
If you have a fun domino activity that you love, be sure to let me know in the comments. And if you try one of mine, share that too! I love when I get to cheer you on.
And if you are needing an activity to get your kids to go outside or to spark their creativity, I’ve got you covered with 8 super simple summer math activities for preschoolers.
