20 Easy Dice Games for Kids (Unsung Heroes of Game Night)

Let’s be real, folks – when it comes to games, dice games don’t exactly have the same star power as their flashier board game and video game counterparts.

But let me tell you, dice games are the unsung heroes of family fun.

Sure, you could bust out the latest video game craze and watch your kids’ eyes glaze over as they mindlessly tap away. Been there, done that.

OR…

You could introduce your kids to the joy of good old-fashioned easy dice games for kids – where math, strategy, and friendly-family rivalry collide in the most awesome way.

So grab a handful of dice, summon your best “cool parent” energy, and get ready to show those kiddos that dice games are anything but boring!

Top 20 Easy Dice Games for Kids

Time to dive into the top 20 easy dice games that’ll have your kids rolling with laughter and learning faster than you can say “So, whose turn is it again?!”

1. Bunco

Objective: Be the first team to score 21 points 

Materials: 3 dice, scoresheets, pencils 

Setup: Split into teams of 4, with 2 teams per table 

Gameplay:

1. Roll the dice and score points for each die matching the round number
2. Earn 21 points to win the round and move up to the next table
3. The team with the most points at the end wins!

Get the inside scoop on Bunco here – of the coolest dice games around.

2. Tenzi

Objective: Be the first player to get all 10 of your dice showing the same number 

Materials: 10 dice per player 

Gameplay:

1. Everyone rolls their 10 dice at once
2. Keep any dice showing your chosen number and re-roll the rest
3. First player to get all their dice matching yells “Tenzi!” and wins

Learn why Tenzi is perfect for your next family game night – and also get all the deets on the awesome variations that’ll kick your game experience up a notch.

3. Farkle

Objective: Score the most points by rolling scoring combinations 

Materials: 6 dice, scoresheets, pencils 

Gameplay:

1. Roll all 6 dice and set aside any scoring dice (1s, 5s, 3-of-a-kind, etc.)
2. Choose to keep your points and pass the dice or risk it all and keep rolling
3. If you “Farkle” (roll no points), you lose all points for that turn!

Get a free scoring printable and all the insider tips and tricks on how to play Farkle here.

4. Pig

Objective: Be the first player to reach 100 points 

Materials: 1 die, paper, pencil 

Gameplay:

1. Roll the die and add up your points
2. Choose to roll again or “hold” and keep your points
3. If you roll a 1, you lose all points for that turn and pass the die
4. First player to 100 wins!

5. Going to Boston

Objective: Have the highest score after 5 rounds 

Materials: 3 dice, paper, pencil 

Gameplay:

1. Roll all 3 dice and add up the total
2. Choose 1 die to keep and re-roll the other 2
3. Keep your highest scoring roll for that round
4. Player with the highest total after 5 rounds wins

Jump into the deets for Going to Boston and see if it’s right for your crew.

6. Passage

Objective: Be the first player to reach 11 points by rolling the “It” number

Materials: 2 dice, paper, pencil

Setup: Roll one die to set the “it” number for the game

Gameplay:

1. Players take turns rolling both dice once per turn.
2. Earn one point by rolling the “It” number on one die.
3. Score two points by rolling doubles of the “It” number.
4. Note: Combining both dice to make the “It” number won’t score any points.

Find out what makes the Passage dice game a kid (and family!) favorite.

7. Dice Wars

Objective: Capture all your opponent’s pieces 

Materials: 5 dice, 20 small objects like counters, small slips of paper (10 per player) 

Gameplay:

1. Arrange your pieces in a line facing your opponent
2. Take turns rolling your dice to “attack” your opponent’s pieces
3. If your roll is higher, capture one of their pieces
4. First player to capture all their opponent’s pieces wins

8. Crazy Faces

Objective: Be the first player to complete your crazy face 

Materials: 2 custom dice (one color die, one face part die), paper, pencil 

Gameplay:

1. Take turns rolling the dice
2. Draw the face part in the color rolled (e.g., blue nose)
3. First player to complete their crazy face wins

9. Roll a Word

Objective: Earn the most points by completing word challenges 

Materials: 1 die, word challenge list, timer 

Gameplay:

1. Roll the die to determine your word challenge (e.g., 1 = rhyming words, 2 = synonyms)
2. Complete the challenge using the target word
3. Earn points for each correct answer within the time limit
4. Player with the most points after 10 rounds wins

Here’s a table filled with fun words, divided into three categories: rhyming words, synonyms, and antonyms. Each category comes with 10 words to play around with:

Category	Challenge Words
Rhyming Words	clock, dream, light, bear, storm, trace, clip, fade, groove, prize
Synonyms	happy (joyful), slow (lethargic), old (ancient), small (tiny), strong (robust), clear (transparent), important (critical), easy (simple), large (huge), fast (quick)
Antonyms	hot (cold), loud (quiet), rough (smooth), empty (full), strong (weak), young (old), bright (dim), hard (soft), new (old), clean (dirty)

Feel free to use this table to guide your gameplay.

Each word challenge should bring out some fun and creative vocabulary skills from the players. Enjoy your game!

10. Sequences

Objective: Create the longest sequence of numbers that add up to the target sum 

Materials: 2 dice, paper, pencil 

Gameplay: Players take turns rolling the dice, trying to form sequences that range from simple to complex.

Take a peek at the scoring guide and snag some cool tricks and variations for Sequences and see if it’s what you need to make your family fun night extra amazing.

11. Beat That!

Objective: Be the player to get the highest score for the most rounds.

Materials: 2 dice for younger players, 7 for older players.

Gameplay:

1. Decide how many rounds you will play.
2. Each player takes a turn rolling the dice.
3. Arrange the dice to form the highest possible number (e.g., a 5 and a 2 become 52).
4. The highest score wins the round; ties are broken with additional rolls.

12. Knockout

Objective: Avoid being knocked out of the game by avoiding throwing certain scores.

Materials: 2 dice

Gameplay:

1. Each player chooses a “knockout number” (6, 7, 8, or 9).
2. Roll both dice and add them up.
3. If you roll your “knockout number,” you’re knocked out.
4. Last player standing wins.

Take a closer look and see how Knockout can bring smiles and laugher to your home.

13. Sevens

Objective: Be the player with the highest score after a set number of rounds by avoiding dice that add up to 7.

Materials: 6 dice

Gameplay:

1. Roll all 6 dice.
2. Remove any dice combinations that add up to 7.
3. Decide to keep your score or roll remaining dice up to three times.
4. Scores are recorded after each player’s turn.

This game can be a bit tricky. Learn the ins and outs of Sevens – and why it’s a perfect choice for your next family fun night.

14. Left Center Right Dice Game

Objective: Be the last player with chips.

Materials:
3 LCR dice, chips (at least 3 per player).

Gameplay:

1. Roll the three LCR dice.
2. Pass chips left for ‘L’, right for ‘R’, and to the center for ‘C’.
3. The game continues until one player has all the chips.

Learn more about why the Left Center Right Dice game is an amazingly choice for game night – particularly if you have a large group of people of different ages. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with this choice.

15. Three or More

Objective: Score the most points by the end of the agreed-upon number of rounds, trying to get three of a kind or more.

Materials:
5 dice. A tip from me: oversized foam dice might seem fun until you try aiming with them!

Setup:
Gather your friends, grab the dice, and find a flat surface. If you’re feeling fancy, throw in a dice tray to keep those dice from escaping.

Gameplay:

1. Players take turns rolling all 5 dice.
2. If you roll 3 or more of a kind, you score and pass the dice. If not, score zero and pass the dice.
3. If you roll 2 of a kind, you get to re-roll the remaining three dice. No three of a kind after that? Zero points for you….sorry!

Learn why Three or More is perfect for your kids – and how it’ll make for a pretty cool game night.

16. 50 Dice Game

Objective: Be the first to hit fifty points, but there’s a twist: only doubles count toward your score!

Materials:
2 dice and a score sheet—keep it simple.

Setup:
Decide who rolls first through any fun means like rock, paper, scissors or a coin toss.

Gameplay:

1. Players take turns rolling the two dice.
2. Score points only if you roll doubles.
3. The first player to reach 50 points wins the game.

This is easily one of my daughter’s favorite dice games. Take a peek at this article about the dice game 50 to see why – and how it can liven up your next family get-together.

17. Lazy Dice Game

Objective: Roll low numbers and avoid the cursed 7s to be the first to rack up 9 points.

Materials: Two dice per player, pencil and paper for scorekeeping (optional).

Setup:
Each player gets two dice. Gather around a comfy spot—perfect for lazy afternoons.

Gameplay:

1. Players take turns rolling their dice.
2. Low sums score points, while high sums, especially 7s, offer no points or penalties.
3. The first player to get 9 points wins.

Read why the Lazy Dice game is a perfect summer, family fun night, “let’s kill some time at the DMV” or whatever occasion type of game.

18. Aces in the Pot

Objective:
Be the last player standing with a counter in hand to scoop the pot.

Materials:

• Two dice
• A dice cup or your hands for that drama-filled roll
• Counters (two per player; coins are perfect in a pinch)
• A cup or bowl for the pot

Setup:
Gather everyone and determine who rolls first—maybe whoever can mimic the best dice roll sound? Each player starts with two counters. Place the pot in the middle of the table

Gameplay:

1. Roll both dice.
2. Roll a 1? Add a counter to the pot.
3. Roll a 6? Pass a counter to the left.
4. Continue until only one player has counters.
5. That player rolls three times; avoiding a 6 wins the pot.

Embrace the chaos (and the fun!) with the full game breakdown fo Aces in the Pot.

19. Drop Dead Dice Game

Objective: Score the highest points over 5 rounds or to a target score, avoiding “drop dead’ rolls that wipe your score.

Materials:

• Five 6-sided dice
• A sturdy flat surface
• Pen and paper for scoring

Setup:
Assign someone to keep score. Determine the number of rounds or a target score (100 or 150 points is usually what we go with).

Gameplay:

1. Roll all five dice.
2. Score the sum unless you roll any 2s or 5s—those are ‘drop dead’ numbers.
3. Remove any 2s or 5s, roll the remaining dice.
4. Continue until all dice are ‘dead’ or choose to stop rolling.
5. Highest round score gets a 5-point bonus.

Don’t be horrified by the name. Really! Drop Dead is pretty awesome and you can learn more about how it’ll jazz up your family fun night here.

20. Beetle Dice Game

Objective:
Be the first to draw a complete beetle by rolling dice and collecting all body parts.

Materials:

• One or more 6-sided dice
• Paper and pencil for each player

Setup:
Gather players and give each a paper and pencil. Decide who starts, typically the youngest, and play moves clockwise.

Gameplay:

1. Roll the die and draw the corresponding beetle part:
2. Can’t add the rolled part? Your turn ends.
3. First to complete their beetle and shout “Beetle!” wins.

Get the inside scoop on Beetle – and why your kids are gonna love it.

The Dice-lightful Benefits of Dice Games for Kids

Dice games are the secret sauce for keeping your kiddos entertained and learning.

Here’s just a few reasons why dice games are a total game-changer:

• They’re a sneaky way to practice math skills like counting, addition, and probability
• They teach important social skills like turn-taking, patience, and being a good sport
• They’re portable, affordable, and endlessly customizable for any age or skill level

But don’t just take my word for it! Check out this handy-dandy table that breaks down some of the top benefits:

Benefit	Description
Math Skills	Counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, probability
Social Skills	Turn-taking, patience, cooperation, communication
Cognitive Skills	Strategic thinking, problem-solving, decision making
Fine Motor Skills	Grasping and manipulating the dice
Entertainment	Portable, affordable, endlessly customizable fun!

And the best part?

You probably already have everything you need to play right at home. Just grab a few dice from an old board game, print out some rules, and you’re good to go.

Tips for Parents and Caregivers: How to Make Dice Games a Hit with Your Kids!

Alright, folks, listen up! As a self-proclaimed “dice game aficionado,” I’ve got some tried-and-true tips for making these games a smash hit with your kiddos.

First things first: keep it fun! 

I know, I know – it’s tempting to go all “tiger mom” (or dad) and turn every game into a math lesson.

Uh, yeah, the quickest way to suck the joy out of dice games is to make them feel like homework. Instead, focus on the giggles, the silly victories, and the bonding time.

The math just sorta sneaks its way in – WITHOUT sucking all the fun out of the games – when you do it like that.

Next up: start simple and work your way up.

If you’ve got a preschooler who’s just learning to count, don’t bust out the “Farkle” rulebook right away. 

Stick to basic games like “PIG” or “Beetle” until they get the hang of it. 

Then, as their skills grow, you can introduce more complex games to keep them challenged and excited about playing.

Here’s a handy table to help you choose the right games for your child’s age and skill level:

Age	Skill Level	Recommended Games
3-5	Beginner	Snake Eyes, Roll and Color, Dice Matching
6-8	Intermediate	Pig, Beetle, Yahtzee Jr.
9+	Advanced	Farkle, Qwixx, Dice Wars

And finally, don’t be afraid to get creative! 

Some of my happiest childhood memories involve making up our own wacky dice games with my little brothers.

We’d come up with crazy rules, invent silly scoring systems, and laugh until our sides hurt. 

So go ahead and encourage your kids to put their own spin on these classic games – you never know what kind of dice-lightful creations they’ll come up with!