Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Party Hat Drawing Game: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Party Hat Drawing Game is a free printable game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children roll a dice, find the number in a table and draw one part of a party hat at a time. It is for 4 to 8 players, and each player draws on their own sheet of paper. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas 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. You need pencils, paper and a dice. 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 use a table with two columns, Roll and Draw this. Each player rolls the dice, looks along the table to find their number and reads the matching drawing job. They then draw that part of the party hat on their own paper. Players take turns, so they also wait, watch and listen. The hat grows one piece at a time, and no two hats need look the same.
- Roll
- Draw this
Why a drawing game with a dice?
A dice gives young children a real reason to look closely at numbers. Most dice show their numbers as patterns of dots. Children learn to know those patterns at a glance, then link each one to a written number. Here, that number leads to a drawing job in the table. Children practise number recognition and reading a simple table without it feeling like a test.
Drawing is a core part of Art and Design in Key Stage 1. Children use drawing to share ideas and to build control with a pencil. A game that asks for one small part at a time keeps the task manageable. Every child can finish something they are proud of, and the dice means each hat turns out a little different.
Skills and curriculum link
- Turn taking
- Number recognition
- Drawing
- Reading a table
- Following instructions
- Listening
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Art and Design | Drawing and painting | Year 1 |
What children will be able to do
- I can match a dice number to a drawing job.
- I can draw a party hat piece by piece.
- I can take turns with others.
Ideas to help you get the most from it
- Dot patternsEncourage children to say the number on the dice without counting each dot. Then ask them to point to the same number in the table. This links the pattern, the spoken number and the written number.
- Reading across a tableA table is read in order. Ask children to put a finger on their number, then slide it across to find the job. This habit helps with many tables later in school.
- Pencil controlShort, simple drawing jobs build the small hand movements needed for writing. Encourage a relaxed grip and steady lines. Neat does not matter as much as having a go.
- Fair turnsWaiting for a turn is a real skill at this age. Say whose turn it is before each roll, and praise players who watch and wait patiently.
Key words
- DiceA small cube with a different number of dots on each side. You roll it to get a number.
- RollTo throw the dice and let it land. The top face is your number.
- TableA way of showing information in rows and columns so it is easy to find.
- TurnYour go. Only one player rolls and draws at a time.
- PartOne piece of a whole thing. A hat is built from several parts.
- PlayerSomeone who takes part in a game.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the players. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown up.
- Give each player a pencil and their own sheet of paper. Put one dice in the middle where everyone can reach it.
- Read the table aloud together. Check that everyone understands the words Roll and Draw this.
- Take turns to roll the dice. Find your number in the table, then draw that part on your own paper.
- Keep going until everyone is happy with their hat. Then compare the hats and talk about what is the same and what is different.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Read the table aloud before you start. Play one practice round together. Let the child say the dice number first, then slide a finger along the table row to find the drawing job. Pairing a child with a partner for the first game can also help.
To stretch confident children
Colour in your hat at the end. Then add one extra part of your own that is not in the table, and tell the group why you chose it. Ask each player to describe their finished hat in a full sentence.
Make it a game
Add a part of your own to the table and decide which dice number it belongs to. Or hold a hat parade at the end. Each player holds up their drawing and says one thing about it, while the group listens.
Talk about it
- What did your dice tell you to draw?
- How did you decide where to put it?
- What will you add next?
- How did you know which number you rolled?
- Whose hat looks different from yours, and how?
- If you could add one more part to your hat, what would it be?
Take it off the page
Dice dot hunt
Look for dot patterns around the house, such as on dominoes or playing cards. Say each number out loud and match it to the written number.
Design a hat for a toy
Draw a party hat for a favourite soft toy. Talk about the shapes and patterns you could use, then draw it on paper.
Draw by instructions
One person calls out a simple drawing job and the other draws it. Swap over. It builds listening and careful following of instructions.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go, then let them lead. Read the table aloud together before you start. Praise effort and ideas, not neatness. Two short games work better than one long one.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and a dice per group. It gives a quick way to see number recognition, turn taking and pencil control in one go.
Home educators
Print it again for brothers, sisters or friends, as the game works best with a group. Pair it with art time, picture books about birthdays and everyday talk about numbers. Children can play again another day and make a different hat.
Where this fits in learning
Before this game, children usually spend time counting, recognising dot patterns and making marks and simple drawings. They also learn to wait for a turn in small group play. This sheet pulls those early skills together in one short game.
After it, children can move on to reading more detailed tables, drawing from longer instructions and playing games with clearer rules. They can also try drawing from observation and add more detail to their pictures as their pencil control grows.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What did your dice tell you to draw?
- How did you decide where to put it?
- What will you add next?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Party Hat Drawing Game for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Children in nearby year groups may enjoy it too. Adults can slow the game down or add extra parts to match what each child is ready for.
- What will children practise?
Children match numbers on a dice to drawing jobs and take turns. They also practise number recognition, reading a simple table, following instructions and drawing with a pencil. All of this happens through play, so it feels like a game.
- What do I need to play?
You need the printed sheet, pencils, paper and a dice. The game is for 4 to 8 players. Each player draws on their own sheet of paper. Page 1 is the game and page 2 is for the grown up.
- What if it feels too hard?
Read the table aloud before you start and play a practice round together. Let the child say the dice number, then find it in the table with a finger. Pair them with a partner if that helps.
- Is Party Hat Drawing Game 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. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper, pencils and a dice. It works well for quiet time, rainy days, parties and school holidays. Children draw by hand and talk to each other as they play.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add their own colour at the end by colouring in their hat, which makes a good stretch idea.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.