There’s something incredibly satisfying about rolling dice. From the feel of them in your hands to the familiar “click-clack” sound as you wait to see what you rolled.
We love playing board games with dice. They are the perfect way to sneak in learning because of the math involved. Plus, dice games are typically pretty quick, which is perfect for family game night. And the tactile experience seems to help kids focus on the game we’re playing.
Here are a few fun dice games to play with your kids.
Scholastic Math Match (University Games)
Scholastic Math Match from University Games is a quick game for 1-4 players that helps kids practice their math skills. Players can roll the jumbo dice to create the target number and create an equation using the faceup number cards to equal the target dice.
Younger players can use addition and subtraction, and more advanced players can also use multiplication and division. I think this game is also great for independently practicing math skills. We use a house rule to allow everyone a chance to share an equation each round.
Ages: 5+
MSRP: $14.99
Buy It Now: Amazon
Qwixx (Gamewright)
Qwixx from Gamewright is a fast-paced, roll-and-write game for 2-5 players. It’s one of our favorite quick games to play as a family. Even my child, who claims they don’t like math, will request to play Qwixx. While the recommended age is 8 and up, my kids began playing Qwixx at age 6.
The best part about this game is that players stay involved even when it isn’t their turn. While one player rolls all of the dice, the other players can cross off the total of the white dice from any colored row. The active player (the one who rolled the dice) can also add one white die to one of the colored dice to cross off the total from that color row. Don’t be surprised if the kids ask to play another round right away!
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $11.99
Buy It Now: Amazon
Bloom (Gamewright)
Bloom is a newer roll-and-write dice game from Gamewright for 2-5 players. Players take turns rolling the colorful dice, choosing one, and circling the number and color of flowers that match the die. Players will score higher points for circling all of the flowers of one color and bonus points for completing garden beds. You can play through a game in about 20 minutes.
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $9.99
Buy It Now: Amazon
Yahtzee (Hasbro)
Yahtzee from Hasbro is a classic dice game that I played frequently growing up. Players take turns shaking and rolling the five dice trying to get different combinations to mark off on the scoresheet. Sometimes you take the three of a kind or full house, and other times you risk it for a chance at rolling a YAHTZEE (all five of the same dice).
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $5.99
Buy It Now: Amazon
Dungeons & Dragons (Wizards of the Coast)
Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit by Wizards of the Coast is a tabletop roleplaying game (also referred to as TTRPG) that is fantastic to introduce to kids. There is plenty of dice rolling to determine the outcome of various scenarios, from landing an attack hit to being stealthy enough to sneak around.
Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most popular TTRPG systems that uses a set of polyhedral dice. It encourages kids to practice mental math, creative problem-solving, teamwork, and imaginative roleplaying. The game is a collaborative story that all the players participate in with guidance from the Dungeon Master (DM). The DM can tweak story elements as needed when playing with younger players.
Ages: 14+
MSRP: $24.99
Buy It Now: Amazon
Hero Kids RPG (Hero Forge Games)
Another TTRPG option for younger players is called Hero Kids RPG. It is designed for ages 5 and up and introduces some TTRPG game mechanics. It streamlines some of the things players need to roll for and uses only six-sided dice. My children (10 and 8) started playing Hero Kids RPG a few years ago and are currently playing a D&D campaign with us.
Ages: 4+
MSRP: $11.99 (softcover) $5.99 (PDF)
Buy It Now: DriveThruRPG
Looking for more games to play? Check out these movie-themed board games and these wildlife-themed games.
