Christmas Tree Race

Here's a Christmas themed game to support children's development of calculation.

Using the downloadable* board, a counter each and three dice, children take turns to create a calculation with the dice which will enable them to 'climb' the tree.

The tree features a series of numbers on five layers. The players must move up the tree, one layer at a time starting at the first layer.

For example, the numbers on the first layer are

9, 2, 10, 12, 4.

Rolling a 2, 2 and 3 could give children a number of entries:

(2 + 2) x 3 = 12

(2 + 3) x 2 = 10

3 + (2/2) = 4

3 - (2/2) = 2

Players must use all of the three dice on their turn, but can be as creative as they wish to make a matching answer. If a player cannot make a necessary number then they miss that turn.

An alternative play would be to allow the children to use any number of the dice at each turn, so rolling 2, 2 and 3 (as above), a player could ignore the 3 and simply state 2 + 2 = 4. and use the 4 as an entry to the first level.

Players could record their equations as they go. When they reach the final layer the players only have one choice of number, and an extension to the game could involve the children in identifying as many of the rolls as possibler that could give them the final answer.

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This item is a single page extract from our Christmas Activities 2010 eBook. The downloadable eBook contains dozens of activities, games and resources, including two different versions of this game.

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