10 Insanely Easy Math Dice Games for Kids (Simple & Fun)

Ever thought of making math practice a game night feature? With these 10 simple dice games, you can sneak in some math practice while the kids (and maybe you too!) have a ton of fun.

These dice games are fantastic for all ages and can be easily adapted for different skill levels. They mix critical thinking with a touch of competition, making sure everyone from little learners to older kids

So, let’s dive into these games and see how you can get kids hooked on the fun side of math.

But, first, let’s look at the…

The Benefits of Using Dice for Math Games

So, why are dice games such a great tool for teaching math? Well, let me tell you!

• They help kids think on their feet and sharpen those mental math skills. 
• Kids get to physically interact with the concepts. Using dice for math games means kids get to touch, roll, and move – keeping both their hands and brains busy.
• Nothing like a good dose of competition to get those neurons firing. Whether it’s trying to beat your own high score or outdo a friend, games using dice and place value strategies add that extra layer of fun.  And a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? 

I’ve seen firsthand how playing math dice games can boost a child’s confidence in their abilities (being a 5th grade teacher is my day job, you know). 

Plus, ANY KIND of dice game that involves using math (and that’s A LOT of them) serves the same purpose. 

Thank you game nights with dice games for sneakily shoving extra math practice to kids around the globe is a totaly fun way.

1. Math Bingo with Dice

Math Bingo with Dice is a fun and simple game that can be used to practice addition, subtraction, or multiplication skills.

The objective is to be the first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal line on their bingo card by correctly solving math problems generated by rolling the dice.

Materials Needed

• Bingo cards (you can create your own or download these editable ones that I made for you)
• Dice (the number of dice used will depend on the math operation being practiced)
• Small markers, chips, or candy (cuz…you know, kids) to cover the numbers on the bingo cards

How to Play

1. Decide if you’re practicing addition, subtraction, or multiplication. For younger kids, stick to adding numbers from roll two dice. Older kids might enjoy the challenge of using 3 dice or adding then multiplying the numbers (because why make it easy?).
2. Each player gets a Bingo card and some markers. Then, decide who starts. In my house, it’s usually the person who can do the silliest dance move. But rolling a dice or Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide works too.
3. The first player rolls the dice and everyone solves the math problem based on the roll. If you have the answer (or the problem, depending on your Bingo card setup) on your card, mark it off.
4. Take turns rolling the dice and marking off squares until someone shouts “Bingo!” by completing a row, column, or diagonal line on their bingo card  This usually follows with a victory dance, which, frankly, is half the fun.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up
Math Bingo with Dice	Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication	5-12 years	Sometimes kids might argue over who saw the number first, or markers might get mixed up. Keeping an eye on the game can help keep the

2. Race to 100 (or 500, or 1000!)

In this simple dice game, players take turns rolling the dice and keeping a running total, with the goal of being the first to reach a predetermined target number (e.g., 100, 500, or 1000).  I recommend keeping it to 100 (or even 50) for younger kids.   

It’s a simple, yet surprisingly nerve-wracking game where you try to hit a sum of 100 by rolling dice – and strategizing.

Trust me, it sounds easier than it is, especially when you’re at 98 and you roll a six. (Yes, that happened. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)

Materials Needed

• Dice: A pair of dice, traditional 6-sided dice works great for beginners. For those older kids seeking more thrill (or chaos), throw in more dice or use dice with more sides. Just don’t use 20-sided dice unless the kids playing are really into long games or are working with advanced math skills.
• Scorekeeping: A simple piece of paper and a pen will do. Or, if you’re like me and can’t find a pen when you need one, a digital notepad or any scorekeeping app will work just as well.

How to Play

1. Roll the Dice: Decide who goes first with a quick roll-off or a dance battle, your choice. Then, take turns rolling the dice. Add the numbers together and jot down the total. Simple, right?
2. Keep Rolling: Each player keeps rolling during their turn, adding their new roll to their total score. Players can choose to roll again and again or stop and pass the turn to the next player.  If a player rolls a 1 (or any other predetermined “penalty” number), their turn ends, and their total for that round is reset to 0.  But, they still keep all the points the earned in earlier rounds.
3. Reaching 100: The first player to reach or go past 100 wins.  

Who’s the Winner?

• The winner is the first to reach exactly 100 or to have the highest score closest to 100 after a predetermined number of rounds. Decide on the number of rounds beforehand to keep the game tight and competitive.

If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Race to 100 (or 500, or 1000!)	Addition, and optional multiplication/division	6-12 years (100), 10+ years (500/1000)	Watch out for over-enthusiasm leading to dice flying everywhere. Also, those pesky penalty rolls can be a real mood dampener.	Perfect for kids who thrive on quick thinking and fast-paced competition. Kids who love numbers and challenges will dig this one.

3. High Roller

If you think building a high number with dice sounds easy, think again. High Roller challenges you to create the highest possible number using a series of dice rolls.

This game is a testament to the saying, “go big or go home” – except nobody’s going home because we’re all too busy trying to roll the perfect number.

Materials Needed

• Dice: You’ll need three to five dice, depending on how long you want the game to last and how complex you want the number-building to be. 
• Recording: Paper and pen, or any digital device for keeping track of everyone’s monster numbers.

How to Play

1. Rolling for Numbers: Each player rolls all their dice at once. Here’s where strategy and a bit of luck come into play. Do you keep that 6 or hope for a couple of 5s in the next roll?
2. Building Your Number: After the roll, decide which dice you keep to start building your number. You can choose one or more dice, but once you’ve decided, those dice are set aside, and you roll the remaining ones.
3. Final Roll: Continue rolling and keeping dice until all are set aside. The numbers you’ve chosen form your final number, starting with the highest digit on the left. So, if you end with a 4, 6, and 2, your number is 642.

Final Score

After everyone has rolled, the player with the highest number wins. It’s a test of nerve, strategy, and a bit of luck.

There’s something uniquely thrilling about watching your number grow, hoping you’ve made the right choices. And yes, there were times I didn’t. But hey, that’s the fun of High Roller.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
High Roller	Building numbers strategically from multiple dice rolls	8+ years	Watch out for decision paralysis! Choosing which dice to keep can really slow down the game.	Perfect for kids (and adults) who love a challenge, enjoy strategic thinking, and don’t mind a little tension in their gameplay.

4. Block Out

The goal of “Block Out” is simple yet sneakily challenging. You’re aiming to score the highest by drawing rectangles on graph paper.

Each rectangle’s area (length times width) adds to your score. Think of it as turning numbers into art and strategy into points!

Materials

• 2 dice (those little cubes of fate)
• Graph paper (the battlefield)
• Colored pencils or crayons, one color per player (your swords in this noble duel)

Setup

No elaborate setup here. Just sit opposite your buddy with the graph paper between you and decide who gets to roll the dice first. Choose your weapon—ahem, I mean, your colored pencil or crayon.

Gameplay

1. Roll the dice and use the numbers to determine the length and width of a rectangle. For instance, roll a 2 and a 3, and voila, you’ve got a rectangle that’s 2 by 3 squares.
2. Draw that rectangle on the graph paper, filling it in with your color. It’s like claiming your territory, one rectangle at a time.
3. Take turns rolling and drawing until there’s no more room for rectangles. It’s a bit like Tetris, but with dice and drawings.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Block Out	Area calculation, spatial reasoning	9+ years	Sometimes the math of multiplying for area can get tricky, and you might run out of space fast if not planned well.	Ideal for creative thinkers who like a bit of strategy and drawing. Also great for kids who enjoy games like Tetris and want to add a math twist.

5. Tenzi

Tenzi is one of my all-time favorite dice games!

The rules are simple – each player starts with 10 dice of the same color, and the goal is to roll all the dice to match the same number as quickly as possible. The first player to accomplish this shouts “TENZI!” and wins the round.

It’s a game of luck, strategy, and lightning-fast reflexes.

I can’t count how many times I’ve been thisclose to shouting “TENZI!”, only to have one pesky die roll a different number at the last second. Talk about frustrating!

But that’s what makes it so addictively fun.

These variations add an extra layer of challenge and excitement. Trust me, once you start playing Tenzi, you’ll be hooked. 

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Tenzi	Speed counting and number recognition	6+ years	Watch out, it can get super noisy and hectic with all the dice rolling and shouting “TENZI!”	Anyone who loves fast action, laughs a lot, and enjoys games where quick reactions are key. Great for kids and families who love a lively game night.

6. Dice War: Addition and Subtraction 

Dice War: Addition and Subtraction Version is all about practicing those math skills we all love to hate (or just need a little nudge to enjoy).

Dice War is a simple game that can be played with any number of players. The objective is to roll the highest number or combination of numbers (using addition and subtractions) to win points or capture your opponent’s dice.

Materials Needed

• One or more dice per player (depending on the variation)
• Paper and pencil for keeping score (optional) or counters to use a points (also optional)

How to Play

1. Get rolling: Each player rolls their dice at the same time.
2. The player with the highest roll (or highest combination of rolls, depending on the variation) wins the round.
3. Calculate the Sum or Difference: Here’s where the brain workout begins. You can add or subtract the numbers shown on the dice. Choose wisely; your victory depends on it.
4. Win Cards or Points: Once you’ve done the math, compare your result with your opponent’s. The higher number wins a counter or a point. In case of a tie, it’s a do-over.
5. Players can keep track of points or simply play for the fun of winning rounds.

Variations:

• Basic Dice War: Each player rolls one die, and the highest number wins the round.
• Addition Dice War: Each player rolls two or more dice and adds the numbers together. The highest total wins the round.
• Multiplication Dice War: Each player rolls two or more dice and multiplies the numbers together. The highest product wins the round.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Dice War: Addition and Subtraction	Addition, subtraction, (optional multiplication)	7+ years	Ties can make the game last longer than expected. Keep an eye on the excitement levels!	Strategy lovers and math enthusiasts who enjoy a competitive edge in gameplay. Great for kids who like to think and plan their moves.

7. Make That Number

In this game, players take turns rolling the dice and using the rolled numbers to try to create a target number or equation.

Materials Needed

• Two or three dice per player
• Paper and pencil for recording equations (optional)

How to Play

1. Decide on a target number or range of numbers (e.g., 10-20).
2. Players take turns rolling their dice and using the rolled numbers to create an equation that equals the target number.
3. Players can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to manipulate the rolled numbers.
4. The first player to create a valid equation that equals the target number wins the round.

Variations:

• Place Value Challenge: Use different colored dice to represent different place values (e.g., red dice for ones, blue dice for tens), allowing for practice with larger numbers.
• Operation Restrictions: Limit the game to specific operations (e.g., addition and subtraction only) to focus on particular math skills.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Make That Number	Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division	8+ years	Can be challenging for kids who are less familiar with operations beyond basic addition and subtraction.	Kids and adults who enjoy problem-solving and creative thinking with numbers. Ideal for those who like puzzles and mental challenges.

8. Ship, Captain, Crew Dice Game

The objective is to be the player with the highest score after a round of rolling the dice.

Sounds simple, right?

Well, there’s a little twist – before you can score any points, you have to roll a specific combination of dice first.

Setup:

• You’ll need 5 standard six-sided dice to play.
• And maybe paper and pencil to keep score. 
• Other than that, no fancy equipment required.

How to Play

1. Here’s how it goes: You get three rolls to try and get a 6 (the “Ship”), a 5 (the “Captain”), and a 4 (the “Crew”) – in that order.
2. Once you’ve rolled those three numbers, the remaining two dice become your “Cargo” score for that round.For example, let’s say on your first roll you get: 6, 3, 2, 5, 1. You’d keep the 6 (the Ship) and the 5 (the Captain), then re-roll the other three dice trying to get a 4.
3. If your next roll is 4, 4, 2 – bingo! You’d keep one of those 4s as the Crew. Your Cargo score for that round would be the sum of the last two dice (in this case, 2 and 2 = 4 points).
4. If you manage to roll the Ship, Captain and Crew before using up all three rolls, you can optionally re-roll the Cargo dice to try and increase your score. But be careful – you have to keep whatever you re-roll, even if it’s lower!
5. The player with the highest Cargo score wins that round. If there’s a tie, you can either play a tie-breaker round or just let the tied players split the pot (if you’re playing for money, that is).

Click the link if you want to learn more about how to play Ship, Captain and Crew.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Ship, Captain, Crew Dice Game	Probability & Basic addition	7+ years	Sometimes luck isn’t on your side, and those specific rolls just won’t happen.	Fans of pirates and adventure, who love a bit of strategy mixed with luck. Perfect for those who enjoy a quick-paced, thrilling dice game.

9. Make 10

The goal is to sharpen those math skills by reaching the golden number: 10. Whether you’re adding or subtracting, 10 is the magic number you want to hit.

Materials

You’ll need 1 or 2 dice (depending on how adventurous you’re feeling) and some scratch paper to keep score.

Setup

There’s not much to it—just grab a dice or two, some paper, and a pen. Decide who’s going to roll first (rock, paper, scissors, anyone?).

How to Play

• One die version: Roll a single die and quickly figure out what you need to add to that number to make 10. That’s your score for the round.
• Two dice version: This is where it gets spicy. Roll both dice and use your ninja math skills to add or subtract the numbers to make 10.

Winning Tip

Speed and accuracy are your best friends here. The faster you can do the mental math, the better. I once played this with one of my nieces, and she beat me because I got cocky and slowed down. Lesson learned.

Variations:

1. Make 20: Double the challenge by aiming for 20 instead of 10.
2. Use Subtraction: Only subtraction allowed to hit that sweet 10.
3. Color Coding: Use colored dice for an added twist—different colors could mean different actions (e.g., red for subtract, blue for add).
4. Reverse Make 10: Start from 10, roll a die, and subtract to get to zero.
5. Team Play: Work in teams to see who can get to 10 the fastest.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Make 10	Addition & Subtraction	5+ years	Speed is key, and hesitation might cost you the game!	Quick thinkers and speedy calculators. Ideal for kids who love a challenge and are eager to improve their math fluency in a fun way.

10. Pig

Be the first to reach 100 points without getting too greedy and losing it all. It’s a delicate balance between risk and reward.

Materials:

Two dice and something to keep score with.

Setup

Decide who’s the bravest (or perhaps the luckiest) to roll first. Grab those dice and prepare for the highs and lows of fortune.

How to Play

Each player takes turns rolling both dice and adding their sum. Here’s the catch: keep rolling to add more to your score, but if you roll a 1 on either die, you lose all the points for that turn. The tension!

Click here to learn more about playing PIG Dice, and it’s variations. There’s even a free printable that you can download.

What’s Up?	Math Skills	Age Range of Kid Players	Just a Heads Up	Who’s Gonna Love It?
Pig	Risk management & Addition	6+ years	Greed can lead to downfall; knowing when to stop rolling is tougher than it seems.	Gamers who like a bit of suspense and are willing to take risks. Great for teaching kids about probability and decision-making under pressure.

Risk management is making smart choices when you’re not sure what’s going to happen, like thinking carefully before taking a big leap in a game.

Tips for Keeping the Games Fun and Educational

When it comes to dice games for math, the key is finding that sweet spot between play and learning.

You want the games using dice to be fun enough that kids forget they’re practicing skills like addition and subtraction, multiplication, or place value.

But you also want there to be enough substance that they’re actually, you know, learning something.

And while you’re having a sneaky, math skill-filled good time with math dice games with your kids, think about working on some other skills – like their memory.

Take a peek at a really cool article from my buddy at That Homeschool Family called 25 Fun & Brain Boosting Ways to Play Memory Games for Kids. I think you’ll get a kick out of it AND find some more cool games to play with your kidlets.

Now, here’s some tips to keep the good times rolling (pun very much intended) with the math dice games that I suggested above:

• Make the games fit for everyone: Not everyone is super good at math at first, which is totally fine. For younger kids or beginners, go for easy games that focus on adding and subtracting. For older kids or those who love math, make it interesting with games that involve more complex math like multiplication or drawing shapes.
• Switch up the dice: Having different colored dice or special math dice like place value dice can instantly change the level of a game. I have this set of 10 dice that are perfect for working on multi-digit numbers.
• Play by their rules: Let the kids put their own spin on the dice games for math. They’ll be way more invested if they get to make up wacky new rules or variations. “My daughter’s current favorite is ‘Bunny Hop Pig’ where you have to do five hops every time you roll a one.”
• Use visuals: Printable game boards, number sentences, or even just having them draw a rectangle based on the roll two dice can reinforce the concepts. Visuals help younger kids and kids who are visual learners.
• Give ’em a little help: Provide multiplication charts and number lines for kids to look at that might need a little bit of extra help.

The bottom line is making it fun, relaxed, and engaging their competitive spirit just a little.

That’s how you get kids roll the dice over and over – practicing those math skills without even realizing it.