These engaging fall-themed number recognition games are an excellent choice for teaching numbers 1 through 20 in a hands-on and playful way. The colorful illustrations and simple instructions make these activities a great fit for young learners. The board games are also leveled, so you can start out only using numbers 1-10 if you prefer.
Getting Set Up and Playing the Fall Number Recognition Games
These games are perfect for small groups of 2 to 4 students. Setup is minimal. Just print out the game boards and gather your supplies. If you want your game boards to last through multiple uses, laminating them is a good idea, but it’s entirely optional.
Since the games come in multiple themes, many people prefer to simply print a new fun theme when the first one wears out.
To play the game, start by having each student place their game piece on or near the space labeled “START.” To determine who goes first, you can either have all students roll the die and see who gets the highest number or simply let the youngest or oldest student begin.
Players take turns rolling the die and moving their game piece forward by the number shown. When they land on a new space, the player will say the number on that space out loud.
If a student is non-verbal, they can use a communication board, AAC device, or eye gaze to locate the matching number on the board.
The game can end in one of two ways: either the first person to reach the “END” space wins, or you can keep playing until all players make it to the final space. The second option allows for more inclusive participation and fewer hurt feelings.
Materials You’ll Need
(There will be affiliate links throughout the article below.)
- Cardstock
- Printable game boards (get the download at the bottom of the page)
- One game pawn per child (These fall minis are perfect!)
- A standard six-sided die
- A laminator (optional, for durability)
Differentiation for All Learners
This comes ready-made with leveled game board options. You can use between numbers, 1–10, 11–20, or 1-20. For new learners, you can begin with the 1-10 board and work your way up from there.
For students with fine motor challenges who have trouble grasping standard game pieces, try attaching a bolster to the top of each pawn. This small modification can help students move their game piece independently, even if you still need to assist with placing the pawn upright when it reaches the final space.
If your students use eye-gaze or speech devices for communication, a separate set of basic number cards can be a helpful addition to the activity. These can be used in tandem with the game board to ensure everyone can fully participate.
More Interactive Number Activities For Kids
Activity 1
Activity 2
