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Roman Numerals Match-up: Free Printable Game for Year 3

  • ForYear 3
  • StageKey Stage 2
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Roman Numerals Match up is a free printable maths game for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children read Roman numerals from I to XII and join each one to our number. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard 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 your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children look at Roman numerals and join each one to the matching number written our way. They read each Roman number carefully, think about what it could be and then join the pair. The numbers run from I to XII, which is the Year 3 range in the National Curriculum. It is a quiet, pencil only activity that rewards careful looking.

Getting ready to play

Spot them first

Before you print, hunt for Roman numerals at home or on a walk. Look at clocks, book contents pages and old buildings. Seeing them in real places makes the symbols feel familiar.

Say what you notice

Ask your child to look at the letters and say what they see. Do some repeat? Do some sit next to each other? Noticing patterns is half of reading Roman numerals.

Gather your kit

You need page 1, a sharp pencil and a rubber. Using pencil means your child can change their mind and try again without worry.

Pick a calm spot

Choose a table with good light and no screens nearby. Read the instruction aloud together so everyone knows what to do before starting.

Where Roman numerals come from

Roman numerals come from ancient Rome. The Romans wrote numbers using letters from their alphabet, such as I, V and X. Britain was part of the Roman Empire for several centuries, so Roman numerals belong to our own history too. Today we still see them on clocks, on contents pages and chapter headings in books, on buildings and in the names of some events.

Our own numbers use the digits 0 to 9, and the place of a digit changes its value. Roman numerals work differently. They use a small set of letter symbols that are combined to make other numbers, and the Romans had no symbol for zero. Matching the two systems helps children see that numbers can be written in different ways but stand for the same amounts.

Fun facts about Roman numerals

  • Roman numerals were used in ancient Rome, more than a thousand years ago.
  • They are written with letters, but each letter is a number symbol, not part of a word.
  • The Romans did not have a symbol for zero in their numerals.
  • You can still find Roman numerals on some clock faces and on many buildings.
  • Our usual numbers, such as 3 and 8, are used all over the world today.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Reading Roman numerals
  • Matching
  • Number to 12
  • Careful looking
  • Number recognition

Ideas that help with Roman numerals

  • Symbols, not wordsEach Roman numeral is made from letters, but they stand for numbers. Remind children to read them as number symbols and not to try to sound them out as a word.
  • Order mattersThe order of the letters changes the number they make. Ask children to look at each letter in turn, from left to right, before they decide.
  • Say it aloudReading a numeral aloud slows children down. Ask them to say what they think it is, then check by counting up from the start.
  • Do the easy ones firstJoin the pairs you feel sure about, then go back to the harder ones. Fewer choices are left each time, which makes the last few easier.

Key words

  • Roman numeralA number written using the letter symbols the Romans used.
  • SymbolA mark or letter that stands for something else, such as a number.
  • DigitOne of the marks 0 to 9 that we use to write our numbers.
  • MatchTo pair two things that go together.
  • Ancient RomeThe very old city and empire where Roman numerals began.
  • ValueHow much a number is worth.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself, as it has the notes, help and stretch ideas.
  2. Look for Roman numerals on a clock, a book or a building first. Read any you find aloud together.
  3. Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice and ask, "Why do you think that?"
  4. Check against the notes on page 2. If a match is wrong, ask your child to look at the letters again before you tell them.
  5. Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence and helps the symbols stick.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Start with I, II and III. Then add V and X. Write the new number beside each one so your child sees the link. Cover the harder numerals with a piece of paper and uncover them one at a time.

To stretch confident children

Ask your child to write their age in Roman numerals, or the date of the month up to 12. They can then make a small Roman numeral label for something at home and swap it with a friend.

Make it a game

Play Roman Numeral Snap. Say a number from 1 to 12 and race to find it on the sheet. The first player to point to the right one scores. Take turns being the caller.

Talk about it

  • Where have you seen Roman numerals before?
  • Which Roman number did you find easiest, and why?
  • What do you notice about the letters in the longer numerals?
  • How did you decide when you were not sure?
  • Why do you think we use different numbers today?
  • Can you find a Roman numeral in this room?

Take it off the page

Roman numeral hunt

Walk around your home, street or school and look for Roman numerals. Check clocks, books and buildings. Write down or sketch what you find and read each one aloud.

Make a set of cards

Cut paper into small cards. Write a Roman numeral on one card and our number on another. Turn them over and play a matching pairs memory game.

Clock face craft

Draw a large circle on paper and write Roman numerals around it for the hours. Add paper hands and practise telling the time with your child.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Ask them to explain their choices out loud. Keep sessions short and relaxed, and stop while it is still fun. Come back to it later in the week.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The skills are listed above so you can match them to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.

Home educators

Print it as part of your maths plan and link it to everyday life, such as clocks and book chapters. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision a few weeks later, and it pairs well with a walk to spot Roman numerals.

Where this fits

Before this sheet, children get used to reading and writing numbers and counting confidently. Seeing a Roman numeral as another way to write a number they already know is a good first step. Spotting them in everyday places helps too.

After this, children in Year 4 go on to read Roman numerals to 100 and learn how our number system developed to include place value and zero. Reading numerals to 12 now gives them a secure base for that bigger step.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Roman Numerals Match up for?

It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8) in Key Stage 2. It also works as revision for older children or as an early taster for confident Year 2 children who enjoy numbers.

What will children practise?

Children read Roman numerals from I to XII, as set out for Year 3 in the National Curriculum, and link them to our numbers. They also practise matching and careful looking.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, as often as you like.

Do I need to print in colour?

No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. All your child needs is a pencil.

What if my child finds it too hard?

Start with I, II and III, then add V and X, and write the new number beside each one. Do a few at a time and come back to the rest another day.

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 help and stretch ideas.

Is it a screen free activity?

Yes. It is a printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. It also gets children talking and thinking.

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.

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