Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Dino Race Board Game: Free Printable Game for Year 2
- ForYear 2
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Dino Race Board Game is a free printable board game for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children roll the dice, move a counter along the board and race a partner to the finish. As they play, they count on, count back and read numbers to 30. It needs only paper, a pencil and a little cutting out, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help and a stretch idea.
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, give page 1 to the children and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This is a two player race game. Children print and cut out two counters, then take turns to roll the dice and move along the board towards the finish. They say each number aloud as they move, so counting on and counting back happen naturally. Reading the numbers on the board helps children get used to numbers up to 30. The game is simple to learn, so children can play it again and again.
How the game builds number skills
Counting on
Counting on means starting from where you are and adding the next numbers, instead of going back to one. Every move on the board is a chance to do this.
Counting back
Moving backwards uses the same number order in reverse. This is often harder for children, so saying each number aloud helps.
Reading numbers
Children see the numbers on the board in order and match what they say to what they see. This supports number recognition up to 30.
Taking turns
Waiting, watching and sharing the dice are part of the game. Taking turns is a real skill for Year 2 children, and it makes playing together calmer.
Why play a board game for number practice?
A board game gives counting a purpose. Children are not counting because someone asked them to, they are counting because they want to move their counter. That reason to count makes them more willing to practise, and they often do not notice how much they are doing.
The board also works like a number track. Numbers sit in a fixed order, so children can see how far they have moved and how far is left. This helps with number sense, which means understanding where numbers sit and how they relate to each other. A friendly race keeps the practice light.
Dinosaur facts for curious children
- Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, long before people.
- Fossils are the remains or traces of living things that were preserved in rock.
- Scientists who study fossils are called palaeontologists.
- Some dinosaurs ate plants and some ate meat.
- Birds are living relatives of the dinosaurs.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting on
- Counting back
- Reading numbers to 30
- Number sense
- Taking turns
Ideas to help you support the game
- Count each stepMoving a counter one square at a time while saying the numbers makes the count clear. It stops children from jumping ahead or missing a square.
- Point and sayTouching each square as you say its number links the spoken number to the written one. It is a good habit for early readers of numbers.
- Talk about where you areAsk, "Which number are you on?" and "What number is next?" Short questions keep children thinking without turning the game into a test.
- Be a good loser and winnerTalk about how it feels to win or to lose before you start. A calm attitude to the result makes the game enjoyable for everyone.
Key words
- CounterA small marker that shows where you are on the board.
- DiceA small cube with dots or numbers that tells you how far to move.
- Count onStart from the number you are on and say the next numbers in order.
- Count backSay the numbers in order going down, such as 9, 8, 7.
- TurnYour chance to play. Then you wait while the next player has theirs.
- FinishThe end of the race. The first counter to get there wins.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children to play on. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Print and cut out two counters. Grown-ups can do the cutting for younger children if needed.
- Read the rules aloud together before you start, so everyone plays the same game.
- Take turns to roll the dice and move your counter. Say each number aloud as you move.
- Check the notes on page 2, then come back to the game another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Count each square aloud as the counter moves. Use one dice with dots, so children can count the dots and then count the same number of squares. Point to each square as you say its number, and go slowly.
To stretch confident children
Use two dice and add them. Roll both, then say the sum out loud, for example, "I rolled a 3 and a 2. That makes 5." Then move your counter 5 squares. Check each other's adding before anyone moves.
Make it a game
Draw your own special squares and play again. Agree what each one does before you start, such as "go forward 2" or "miss a turn". Keep the rules simple, so both players know them and the game stays fair.
Talk about it
- Which number is your counter on now?
- What number will you land on if you move one more square?
- How do you know who is ahead?
- Can you count back from where you are to the start?
- What would you change if you made your own board?
- What did you enjoy most about the race?
Take it off the page
Dino footprints
Draw a path of dinosaur footprints on paper and number them in order. Walk along the path, saying each number as you step.
Pavement race
Use chalk to draw a short number track outdoors. Take turns to roll a dice and hop along it, saying the numbers aloud.
Clay fossils
Press a toy dinosaur or a leaf into modelling clay to make a fossil print. Then line up the prints in a row and count them.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first game, then let them lead. Read the rules aloud together and keep rounds short. Two quick games are better than one long one. Praise careful counting more than winning.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, supply resource or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out counters. Page 2 offers support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider plan. It pairs well with dinosaur books, outdoor play and everyday talk about numbers. It is free to print again for brothers and sisters, so use it for a mixed age game or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this game, children in Key Stage 1 learn to count aloud, match each number to one object, and recognise written numbers. Playing with a number track and a dice is a natural step from that early counting.
After this game, children can use the same ideas in other ways. Number lines, adding and taking away small amounts, and understanding tens and ones all build on knowing where numbers sit and how to move between them. Playing games like this keeps that practice friendly.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Dino Race Board Game for?
It is written for Year 2, which is ages 6 to 7, in Key Stage 1. Younger children can play with help from a grown-up, and older children can try the stretch idea with two dice.
- What will children practise?
Children count on, count back and read numbers to 30. This supports Year 2 number sense. They also practise taking turns, which matters in any game played with family or classmates.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and cut out two counters. Read the rules aloud together, then take turns to roll the dice and move. Say each number aloud as you move. Keep page 2 for the grown-up notes.
- What if it feels too hard?
Count each square aloud and use one dice with dots. Children can then count the dots and move the same number of squares. Point to each square as you say its number, and play slowly.
- 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, and use it as often as you like.
- Is this 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 cutting out two counters, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
- How long does a game take?
There is no set time. Keep rounds short and play two quick games rather than one long one. Stop when children are still enjoying it, and come back to it another day.
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.