Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Zodiac Animal Race Game: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Zodiac Animal Race Game is a free printable game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children race a counter across the river to the finish, rolling a dice and moving along a number track. They count on and back as they play, and they hear the story of the Great Race behind the Chinese zodiac.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, use page 1 for the game and keep page 2 for the grown-up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children race a counter across a river on a number track. They take turns to roll a dice and move. The game is based on the Great Race, the story behind the Chinese zodiac, which is read aloud from the story box before play begins. Some moves follow arrows, so children check where to go next by counting on and back. Players carry on until someone reaches the finish.
The story behind the game
The Chinese zodiac is a cycle of twelve animals. Each animal is linked to a year, and the cycle then starts again. A well known story explains how the animals were chosen, through a great race across a river. The story is told in several ways, so you may meet slightly different versions in books or at school.
Chinese New Year is celebrated by many families in China and in communities around the world, including across the UK. The date changes from year to year. A race story suits a board game well, because children can move along a track, face a few surprises and learn something about a festival while they play.
Chinese zodiac facts for children
- The Chinese zodiac has twelve animals.
- Each year is linked to one animal, and the twelve animals take turns in a repeating cycle.
- Chinese New Year falls on a different date on our calendar each year.
- Many families celebrate with red decorations, lanterns, special food and time together.
- The Great Race is a traditional story that people tell in different ways.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting on
- Counting back
- Taking turns
- Listening to a story
- Using a number track
Ideas for helping with counting on and back
- Say the start number firstWhen counting on, say the number you are standing on, then count each step after it. The start square is not counted as a step.
- Touch each squareTap each square once as you say each number. This helps children match one number word to one step.
- Use a number lineA number line shows numbers in order. Children can point to their square and jump along it to check a move.
- Count back the same wayCounting back means moving the other way along the track. Say the numbers going down, one for each step.
Key words
- CounterA small marker that shows where you are on the track.
- DiceA cube with spots on each face. You roll it to find how many steps to move.
- Number trackA row of numbered squares that you move along in order.
- Count onStart at your number and say the next numbers in order, one for each step.
- Count backStart at your number and say the numbers going down, one for each step.
- ZodiacA cycle of twelve animals used in the Chinese calendar, one for each year.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Give each player a counter and share one dice. Read the story box aloud first.
- Play the first game together. Talk about each choice and say each move out loud.
- Check the rules and moves against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Count each step out loud together and tap every square as you say its number. Use a number line to check where to go on an arrow. Keep the first game slow, and let your child move the counter themselves.
To stretch confident children
Ask: if you are on 7 and roll a 4, where will you land? Can you work it out before you move? Then ask where you would be if you moved back instead. Let your child explain how they decided.
Make it a game
Act out the race. In the story, the rat rode on the ox's back across the river. Children can pretend to be the animals, cross a make believe river in the room, and tell the story in their own words.
Talk about it
- What do you think it felt like to race across a river?
- Why do you think the animals wanted to win the race?
- How did you work out where your counter should go?
- Did counting on or counting back feel easier? Why?
- What was fair about taking turns?
- Which zodiac animal would you like to be, and why?
Take it off the page
River in the hallway
Lay out a strip of blue paper or a scarf as a river. Children take big and small steps across it, counting each step out loud.
Number stepping stones
Write numbers on sheets of paper and put them in a line on the floor. Children hop forwards and backwards, saying each number.
Animal drawings
Draw a favourite animal from the story. Talk about how it might cross a river and what it would need.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first game, then let them lead. Read the story aloud together and enjoy it. Play a quick round or two rather than a long session, and keep the mood light.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity, especially around Chinese New Year. It needs only printing, a counter each and a dice. Pair children so they take turns and check each other's moves.
Home educators
Use it alongside picture books about Chinese New Year, craft and outdoor play. Print extra copies for brothers and sisters, or play again a few weeks later to see how confident counting has become.
Where this fits in learning
Before this game, children count objects and say number words in order. They practise one to one counting and begin to point to and match each number to a step or an object.
After this, children move on to counting on and back with more confidence, and to adding and subtracting small numbers. They also meet more festivals and stories, which builds general knowledge and helps with talk and listening.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Zodiac Animal Race Game for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can join in with a grown-up helping them count, and older children can try the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children practise counting on and back on a number track. They also take turns, listen to a story and learn about the Great Race behind the Chinese zodiac, which supports Year 1 number and an introduction to festivals.
- What do we need to play?
Each player needs a counter and one dice. You also need to print page 1. Read the story box aloud before you begin, so everyone knows the story behind the race.
- What if it feels too hard?
Slow down and count each step out loud together. Tap every square as you say its number. Use a number line to check where to go on an arrow. Page 2 has more help ideas.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another class group whenever you like.
- Is it suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can colour it in if they wish, but they do not need to in order to play.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.