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A toddler moving toward a colored floor base after rolling a large homemade color dice.
ThinkingObject To TargetIndoor Or Outdoor

Dice Dash.

Turn color matching into a whole-body challenge. Your child rolls a homemade color dice, finds the matching floor base, and runs, hops, or crawls to it while practicing visual matching and gross motor control.

Play time
5-15+ min
Age
2-4 years
Energy
Medium To High
Mess
Low
Effort
Low
Where
Indoor Or Outdoor
Start here

The recipe.

Low parent effort
5 things

What you need

  • 1 large dice customized for the game, such as an old tissue box, cube, or real dice
  • Colored paper or markers for the dice sides
  • Tape or glue
  • Paper or felt for matching floor bases
  • Open floor area
5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop
Step 01
Turn an old tissue box or large cube into a color dice by taping or gluing colored paper to each side.
Step 02
Make one paper or felt floor base to match each color on the dice, then spread the bases across the floor.
"Roll and dash."
The loop

How play unfolds.

A sequence showing a child roll a color dice, find the matching floor base, move to it, and return for another turn.
  1. 01
    Have your child roll the dice and look at the color on top.
  2. 02
    Have them find the matching floor base and run, hop, or crawl to it.
  3. 03
    Take turns rolling the dice and moving to the matching base.

Safety Check

  • Keep the play area open so running, hopping, or crawling does not send your child into furniture or hard edges.
  • Paper or felt bases can slide on smooth floors. Pause and reset them if they move.
  • Use large play pieces and supervise the movement.
Skill spotlight
Visual Matching

Matching an object to a target

This helps a child use a visible cue to choose where to go, what to pick up, or what comes next in a simple routine.

  • •The dice gives your child a visible cue to check before moving.
  • •The floor bases turn color matching into a body movement, not a worksheet task.
  • •Returning the dice to the start gives each round a simple reset.
Real-world transfer
  • Following a color cue during cleanup.
  • Finding a matching item in a drawer, basket, or shelf.
  • Moving to a named spot in a simple game or routine.
Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder
Level 1 (Start)
"Roll the dice and find the same color."
Level 2 (Keep going)
"You found it. Bring the dice back for another turn."
Level 3 (Stretch)
"This time, hop to the color."
Level 4 (Extend)
"Can you remember where that color is before you move?"
If your child seems...
What you'd see
Focused
What to do
Say
"You found the same color."
Add
Ask for one color name after your child reaches the base.
Extend
Let your child choose the next movement.

Make it easier

Younger end
  • -Let your child point to the matching base before moving.
  • -Move side by side for one round.
  • -Let your child choose walking every time.

Make it harder

Older end
  • +Ask your child to roll from farther away.
  • +Let your child find the match without pointing help.
  • +Add one movement choice after the color match, such as hop or crawl.

If it's not working

If you see
If child ignores it
Roll the dice yourself, dash to the color, and invite your child to copy your move.
If you see
If child misuses it
Hold the dice between turns and hand it over only when the play area is calm.
If you see
If child gets frustrated
Move the matching base closer, point to the color, and say, "This one matches."

Parent questions

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Keep playing

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