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Roll and Cover: Free Printable Game for Year 2

  • ForYear 2
  • StageKey Stage 1
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Roll and Cover is a free printable maths game for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7). Children roll two dice, add the numbers together and cross out the total on the sheet. It uses number facts up to 12, needs only two dice and a pencil, and can be played by one child or two.

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 your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children roll two dice, add the two numbers and cross out the total. The numbers 2 to 12 appear on the sheet, and there is a table to fill in as they play. They can play alone or take turns with a partner. Because the total changes with every roll, children add again and again and start to remember the facts.

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Why dice make good practice for adding

A standard die has six faces, numbered 1 to 6. When a child rolls two dice, they have two small numbers to put together. That is exactly the kind of addition Year 2 children are building towards: quick, secure number facts rather than counting every dot from one.

The roll is a surprise, so every turn is a fresh sum. Children cannot guess the numbers in advance, which keeps them paying attention. Crossing out a total gives a clear, visible reward. It also shows which totals are still left, so children begin to think about what they need as well as what they rolled.

Fun facts about dice

  • The word dice is the plural. One of them is called a die.
  • The dots on a die are called pips.
  • On a standard die, the numbers on opposite faces add up to 7.
  • People have played games with dice for thousands of years.
  • Jaques of London has been making games for families since 1795.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Adding two small numbers
  • Number facts to 12
  • Turn taking
  • Careful counting
  • Keeping track on a table

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) Maths Addition and subtraction Year 2

What children will be able to do

  • I can add two small numbers.
  • I can use number facts to 12.
  • I can cover the total on my board.

Ideas to help children play

  • Count onStart with the bigger number and count on the smaller one. Saying the numbers aloud helps children keep their place.
  • Spot doublesWhen both dice show the same number, the total is a double. Doubles are some of the easiest facts to learn and remember.
  • Use the pipsChildren can touch and count the pips on each die if they need to. Over time they will start to recognise the patterns without counting.
  • Say it aloudSay the whole sum each time, such as two numbers and then the total. Hearing the fact again and again helps it stick.

Key words

  • AddPut two numbers together to find the total.
  • TotalThe answer when you add. It is also called the sum.
  • DiceMore than one die. You roll them to get random numbers.
  • PipsThe dots on the face of a die.
  • Number factA short sum you know by heart, so you do not need to work it out.
  • Number sentenceA sum written with numbers and signs, such as 2 + 3 = 5.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown-up.
  2. Read the rules aloud together so everyone plays the same game. Make sure you have two dice and a pencil.
  3. Roll both dice, add the numbers and say the total out loud. Then cross out that number on the sheet.
  4. Fill in the table as you go. Ask, "Which totals are still left to cover?" before each new roll.
  5. Come back to the game another day. Repeating a familiar game builds speed and confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Let your child count the pips on both dice to find the total. Move one die next to the other and count on from the larger number. If it helps, play a few practice rolls first with no crossing out, just saying the totals.

To stretch confident children

Ask your child to write a number sentence for every roll, such as 4 + 3 = 7. Then they can try a version with three dice and add all three numbers. Talk about which fact they used to work out the total.

Make it a game

Play against a partner. Each of you uses your own sheet and takes turns to roll. Agree before you start what happens when a total is already crossed out, such as missing a go. The first player to cross out every number wins.

Talk about it

  • What did you roll, and what does it make?
  • Which number fact helped you this time?
  • Which totals are still left to cover?
  • Did you roll a double? What is the total?
  • How did you add the two dice? Did you count on or know the fact?
  • What would you like to roll next, and why?

Take it off the page

Pairs that make ten

Write the numbers 0 to 10 in a row, and write 5 a second time, because 5 pairs with another 5. Join each pair that makes 10. Say each fact aloud as you draw the line.

Domino adding

If you have a set of dominoes, pick one and add the pips on its two halves. Say the total aloud. Sort the dominoes into piles by total.

Shop sums

Set out two small piles of buttons or counters. Ask your child to count each pile, then put them together and say the total. Swap roles and make new piles.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit beside your child for the first game, then let them lead. Short rounds work better than one long session. Praise the thinking as well as the total. Ask how they worked it out, and play again another day.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, table activity or supply resource. It needs no preparation beyond printing and two dice per pair. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.

Home educators

Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with counting games, books and everyday talk about number. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or for a quick revision of number facts a few weeks later.

Where this fits in the maths journey

Before this game, children learn to count reliably, recognise small numbers on dice and add within 10, often by counting on or using objects. Those first steps give them the confidence to put two numbers together.

After it, children move on to adding with bigger numbers, learning more number facts and solving short word problems. The same ideas, such as counting on and spotting doubles, carry forward into addition and subtraction across Key Stage 1.

Check it worked

Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.

  1. What did you roll and what does it make?
  2. Which number fact helped you?
  3. Which totals are still left to cover?

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Roll and Cover for?

It is written for Year 2 (ages 6 to 7), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can try it with support, and older children can use the stretch idea to make it harder.

What will children practise?

They add two small numbers and use number facts up to 12. They also practise taking turns and keeping track of which totals are left, which builds attention as well as maths.

What do I need to play?

You need two dice, a pencil and the printed sheet. One or two players can take part. Black and white printing works well on plain A4 paper, so no colour ink is needed.

What if it feels too hard?

Let your child count the pips on both dice to find the total. Counting on from the larger number is a good next step. Practise a few rolls first with no crossing out.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it as many times as you need, for brothers, sisters or revision.

Can teachers use it 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 support and stretch ideas.

How long does it take?

It depends on how many rounds you play. Keep rounds short, and stop whenever your child has had enough. Two quick games are better than one long one, and you can return to it another day.

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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.

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