Preschool Grid Games

Roll and Count

• This is a simple grid game played with a die, a grid of 10 squares and up to 60 game pieces of your choice, depending on your theme. Children roll the die and count out the same number of game pieces as the number rolled. Children place the game pieces on one of the squares. The game continues until all the squares are full. This game gives players counting practice and hones their fine motor skills.

The Great Race

• The players use a horizontal grid of 10 or 20 numbered squares, a game piece for each player and a spinner that points only to the number one or two. Make your own spinner or buy one from an educational supplies store. As children move along the grid, they must call out the number on the square they are on. This game helps children to learn the sequence of numbers from smallest to largest.

Letter Tumble

• Print grids with one upper-case letter in each square. Give the children 26 white kidney beans, each with a lower-case letter written on it. The children place all of the beans in a cup, shake it then empty it next to the grid. The children place the bean on the square with the corresponding upper-case letter. The game can be reversed, using a grid with lower-case letters and beans with upper-case letters.

Jig-saw Puzzle

• Make this game by cutting a simple picture into four or six squares, sized to match a blank grid. Children must arrange the squares to put the picture back together using the grid as a guide. Provide an intact copy of the photo for reference, or show the image only briefly to help them practice their memory skills. Children can paste the image onto the grid or remove it from the grid and play again.