What can I use if I do not have a large dice?

Cover an old tissue box or small cube with paper colors. The important part is that one clear color lands on top for each turn.

What kind of floor bases work best?

Use paper or felt pieces that are big enough to see from the starting spot. If they slide, tape the edges down or switch to a rug or carpeted area.

Can two children play Dice Dash together?

Yes, if they can move safely in the same space. Give each child a turn to roll, or let one child roll while the other chooses the movement for that round.

Back to library

A toddler moving toward a colored floor base after rolling a large homemade color dice.

ThinkingObject To TargetIndoor Or Outdoor

Dice Dash.

Use fewer dice colors and fewer matching bases. Roll, match, move, and repeat for a short version.

Roll a color dice, dash to the matching floor base, and bring the dice back for the next turn.

ThinkingObject To TargetIndoor Or Outdoor

Dice Dash.

Roll a color dice, dash to the matching floor base, and bring the dice back for the next turn.

Play time

5-15+ min

Age

2-4 years

Energy

Medium To High

Mess

Low

Effort

Low Once The Dice And Bases Are Made

Where

Indoor Or Outdoor

Start here

The recipe.

Low Once The Dice And Bases Are Made 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

On the floor, choose an open play area with enough room for your child to move between bases without hitting furniture.

Step 02

On the dice, put one clear color on each side with colored paper, markers, tape, or glue.

Step 03

On the floor, place one paper or felt base for each color used on the dice.

Step 04

Spread the bases far enough apart that your child has to move between them.

Step 05

Put the dice at the starting spot where your child can roll it and see the top color.

"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
Roll the dice and say, "Roll it, then dash to the matching color."
2
Help your child notice the color on top.
3
Let your child find the matching floor base and move to it.
4
Bring the dice back to the starting spot and roll again.

01
Roll the dice and say, "Roll it, then dash to the matching color."
02
Help your child notice the color on top.
03
Let your child find the matching floor base and move to it.
04
Bring the dice back to the starting spot and roll again.

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.

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."

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