Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Snowman Race Dice Game: Free Printable Game for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Snowman Race Dice Game is a free printable game for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children roll the dice, read the number and draw their snowman part by part. It is a screen free game for 2 to 4 players. It needs only a dice and pencils, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
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
Children play a dice game on page 1. They roll the dice, read the number and draw one part of their snowman. The sheet has a table to fill in and boxes for drawing or notes, with spaces for Player 1 and Player 2. Children follow simple rules, take turns and watch their snowman grow. For more than two players, draw on plain paper.
- Dice
- Draw this
- Player 1
- Player 2
Getting ready to play
Set up
Print both pages. Put page 1 flat on the table. Give each player a pencil and keep the dice within easy reach.
Read the rules aloud
Read the rules on the sheet together before anyone rolls. Ask a child to say them back in their own words.
Take turns
Decide who goes first and pass the dice round in the same order each time. Say each player's name as the dice changes hands.
Share the checking
Take turns being the person who checks the roll and the drawing. Page 2 has the answers for the grown up.
Why play a dice game in Year 1?
Dice games give young children a reason to look closely at numbers. A child rolls, reads the dots or the numeral and decides what to do next. Over many rolls they begin to know the patterns at a glance, without counting each dot. That quick recognition is a useful foundation for counting, number bonds and early addition.
The game also asks children to wait, listen and follow rules. These are skills they use all day in the classroom. Drawing as they play adds careful pencil control, and the race to finish a snowman keeps everyone interested. Losing a round and trying again is part of the fun and costs nothing.
Fun facts about snow and dice
- Snow is made of tiny ice crystals that form when water in clouds freezes.
- A snowman is usually made from packed snow, and snow that sticks together easily is best for building.
- A standard dice is a cube with six faces.
- On a standard dice, the numbers on opposite faces add up to 7.
- Dice are very old. People have played games with them for thousands of years.
Skills and curriculum link
- Number recognition
- Drawing
- Taking turns
- Following rules
- Counting parts
- Listening
What children will be able to do
- I can read the number on the dice.
- I can follow the rules.
- I can draw my snowman part by part.
Ideas that help
- Seeing dots at a glanceSmall groups of dots can be recognised without counting each one. Practise by covering the dice quickly and asking what number it showed.
- Counting one to oneTouch each dot or each drawn part once as you say the numbers. This keeps the count accurate.
- Fair turnsEveryone rolls once per round. Passing the dice in the same order keeps the game fair and calm.
- Same rules for allAgree the rules before you start and keep to them. Children learn that a game only works when everyone plays by the same rules.
Key words
- DiceA small cube with a different number of dots on each face. One of them is also called a die.
- RollThrow the dice so it tumbles and lands on a number.
- TurnYour go. Each player rolls once, then it is the next player's go.
- PlayerA person taking part in the game.
- PartOne piece of something. A snowman is drawn from separate parts.
- TableA grid of boxes for writing things down so you can find them again.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for the grown up.
- Read the rules aloud together so everyone plays the same game.
- Take turns to roll the dice, say the number and draw the matching part in your box.
- Use the table to fill in what happens, and ask each player to say what they rolled and what they drew.
- Check against page 2 and play again another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the number and the part together before you draw. Then count the parts drawn so far, touching each one as you say the number. Play a practice round with the grown up rolling and the child drawing, so the rules feel familiar.
To stretch confident children
Add a rule that a 6 lets you draw any part you like. Then ask children to predict which number they hope to roll next and why. They can also invent one more rule and teach it to the other players.
Make it a game
Colour in your finished snowman and give it a name. Then hold a snowman show. Each player says what their snowman is called and tells everyone what number they rolled most often. Try a new game and see if the result changes.
Talk about it
- What number did you roll, and what did you draw?
- How do you know which number is which on the dice?
- What are the rules of the game? Can you explain them to someone new?
- Who is winning at the moment, and how can you tell?
- What would you change about the game?
- What name would you give your snowman?
Take it off the page
Cotton wool snowman
Glue cotton wool balls onto paper to make a snowman. Count the balls as you stick each one down and say the numbers out loud.
Snowball counting
Scrunch scrap paper into soft snowballs. Roll the dice and toss that many into a bucket or box, then count them back out.
Dice pattern hunt
Look for dot patterns around the house, such as on dominoes or playing cards. Say the number each pattern shows without counting.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first game and let them lead. Read the rules aloud together. Keep each game short and play twice if they want more. Praise taking turns as well as drawing.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Pair children up for turn taking, and use page 2 for support and stretch ideas with mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider games plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Reuse it for brothers and sisters, or play it again a few weeks later for a gentle refresher.
Where this fits
Before this game, children count objects, recognise small numbers and play simple board and card games. Familiar dice patterns and taking turns are good preparation. If rolling or counting feels tricky, play with counters first.
After this, children can move on to games that need more number skill. Comparing numbers, counting on and adding two dice are natural next steps. Year 2 games build on the same habits of reading the dice, following rules and taking turns.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What number did you roll, and what did you draw?
- What are the rules of the game?
- What would you change about the game?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Snowman Race Dice Game for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Younger children can join in with help, and older children can use the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children recognise dice numbers and follow simple rules while drawing. They also practise taking turns and listening to other players, which makes it a useful game for a group.
- How many people can play?
The game is for 2 to 4 players. Use the boxes on the sheet for two players, or draw on plain paper if more people want to join in. You need a dice and pencils.
- What if it feels too hard?
Say the number and the part together, then count the parts drawn so far. Play a practice round with a grown up first. Short, relaxed turns work better than rushing.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group, and play as often as you like.
- 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.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, a pencil and a dice, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Black and white printing is fine.
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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.