Kids' dice games

Dice games are a fine first step into board games for children: the rules are short, the rounds are quick and anyone can win. Pig is the perfect starter, with one die and one decision: roll again, or stop while you still have the points.

Dice games for kids

Play that teaches

Many of these games train counting and mental arithmetic without anyone noticing. Fifty and Round the Clock are about recognising numbers and adding up, while Beetle rewards patience with a finished drawing. Ten Pins and Dice Golf bring sports to the kitchen table.

Play together

The best part is that adults and children play as equals. The dice do not care who is oldest, and a child who beats a parent at Yatzy will not forget it any time soon.

The games for kids

One-O-Five

Roll five dice and chase ones, then twos, all the way up to sixes. The first player to finish all six numbers wins.

2-6 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

Beetle

Roll the die and draw a beetle part by part. The body comes first, and the first complete beetle wins the round.

2-6 players
10-20 minutes
5+ years

Drop Dead

Roll five dice where twos and fives go dead, and score the most points before every die is gone.

2-8 players
15-25 minutes
6+ years

Aces in the Pot

Aces go to the pot and sixes to your neighbour, and the last player with chips must survive three more rolls.

3-8 players
10-15 minutes
5+ years

Fifty

Only doubles score, double 6 is worth 25 and double 3 wipes your score. The first player to reach 50 points wins.

2-8 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

Going to Boston

Three rolls, keep the highest die each time, and win the round with the highest total.

3-8 players
10-15 minutes
5+ years

Pig

Roll the die as many times as you dare, but a 1 wipes out the whole turn. First to 100 points wins.

2-10 players
10-20 minutes
5+ years

Plus and Minus

Four rolls with five dice where you add and subtract your way to a round score. Highest total after five rounds wins.

2-6 players
15-25 minutes
8+ years

Round the Clock

Roll the dice and hit the numbers 1 to 12 in order, like the hands moving around a clock face.

2-8 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

Around the Spot (alias Flower Petals)

Three rolls with three dice where only 1, 3 and 5 score, since they have a spot in the centre.

2-6 players
10-20 minutes
5+ years

Sevens Out

Roll two dice and keep scoring until a seven ends your turn. The first player to 500 points wins.

2-8 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

Shut the Box

Roll two dice and shut the numbered tiles 1 to 9 before the dice stop you.

1-4 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

Ten Pins

Bowling with two dice over ten frames, where 5-5 is a strike and any six rolls off the alley.

2-6 players
15-25 minutes
6+ years

Dice Golf

Nine holes with three dice, where you roll until a double appears and the fewest strokes wins.

2-6 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

Three or More

Roll five dice and collect three, four or five of a kind to score points, round after round.

2-6 players
10-20 minutes
6+ years

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