Feed the Penguin

I am sure I got this game idea from Mailbox Magazine but love the new twist I added!

Supplies: Clip art of a penguin, tub or box, clipart of fish, and dice

Process: Cut your penguin out then slit a slot where his mouth is. Attach it to the front of a box or dish tub. Cut out fish clipart (I found mine on my computer). Lay the fish on the floor (your "ocean"). Roll the dice and count how many fish you can gather from the ocean to "feed the penguin."

Teach Well: Read Without You before playing this game.

Decorate a Snowman

Find items around the house to help you play this fun and decorative game!

Supplies: craft foam snowmen, buttons, ribbon, pom poms, and dice

Process: Roll the dice and count the number you land on. Add that many pieces to your snowman and decorate him as you wish! Let your friend have a turn. When your snowman is filled clean him off and play again!

Teach Well: Snowmen are alway on clearence this time of year at your local craft store. No craft foam? Use clipart from your computer to make your "game board." Use this game with your favorite snowman book!

What Bread is Missing?

We are doing the story of Jesus Feeds Five Thousand. This game is a lot of fun and can be created quickly!

Supplies: 5 copies or clipart of bread (I found mine on my Microsoft program) and a marker

Process: Cut the bread out. Add numbers 1-5 on the each piece of paper. Then after review the story during Bible Time, play the game. Line the bread in order and count together. Have the children close their eyes and you take a number away. Open eyes and let the children raise their hand if they know which number is missing. As they get the hang of it, take two or three numbers away.

Teach Well: If your children are older have numbers that could add up to five. Use one of the pieces of bread as an addition sign. You could still have the children close their eyes and you could place the probelm in front of them. When they open their eyes, have them try and figure out the problem.

The Squirrel Game

I love to shop thrift stores. When I go I am always keeping my eye out for vintage educational games. I found this game at Goodwill that I bring out only for this season. Can you believe it? It is so darling with the little pinecones on the board. The children love it!

When looking for games I usually know that there might be pieces missing. This game had a few pinecones and the dice missing but that didn't keep me from bringing this treasure home. I always buy larger dice to use for my preschoolers and keep a box at home to use as needed.


Teach Well: Shop thrift stores for unique board games that can go with your theme! As you start to collect them and bring them out on special occasions the children will sense how special they really are!

Pumpkin Patch Game

I found these great "pumpkins" and mice at the local dollar store years ago. Make sure to look in other departments in stores for things you can use in the classroom. Who would have thought that the health and beauty section would have the best pumpkins for this game?

Supplies: Pumpkins (of your choice - you could use plastic if you like), basket, plastic mice, and dice.

Process: Have a basket filled with the pumpkins and bury the mice underneath. Have the children roll the dice and count the number out loud. Have them put their hand in the basket and pull out that many mice. When all the mice are out of the patch have the children start again!

Teach Well: Use large dice so that the children can count the dots easily.

Gone Fishin'

Supplies: Die Cut Fish & Sticky Hands

Process: Place fish in the middle of the table or circle. Give each child a sticky hand. Have them use their sticky hand and swing it toward the fish. When it lands have them reel in the fish by pulling the sticky hand back toward them. Have them count how many they caught.

Teach Well: Let each child keep their sticky hand. Use a Ziploc to store them and place in their backpacks. Use this idea when teaching about Miracle of the Fishes during Bible Time. It's a great hands-on approach for this story.

Number Egg-travaganza

This game can be used as a center or in your dramatic play area. I kept this in our dramatic play chicken coop in the classroom. But, getting it out to have as a one to two person center is just as fun!


Supplies: plastic eggs, egg carton, Sharpie marker

Process: With your Sharpie marker write a number on the plastic egg and also in the egg carton. Place eggs in the lid of the carton and have the children find the correct spot for each egg. Have them say the numbers out loud.

Teach Well: Instead of writing numbers on the inside of the carton, draw dots to correspond with the egg that goes there. Keep extra plastic eggs on hand. If any break you can replace it quickly.

Bug Counting

I love this game! It can be used as a center or as a game for the whole class! You can find all of these supplies at your local dollar store. I found these cute plastic bugs years ago, but you can use common household items like cottonballs instead.

Supplies: divided cat food bowl, dice, and plastic bugs

Process: Have all your bugs on one side of cat dish. Roll the dice and have the child count out loud what number they rolled. Have them place that many bugs into the other side of the dish. If the child is playing with a friend have them take turns.

Teach Well: If you are playing as a class or with toddlers roll the dice together (or use an overhead projector with an overhead projector spinner). Then count the pieces together. If you are using household items or items that are small use plastic tweezers to help develop small/fine motor skills.