A Rectangle Pond

Here is a no prep number game to challenge your little learners! 

Tell them to make ponds for the frogs - rectangle ponds! 

They need to line up lily pads (dominos)  in a rectangle for the frogs to sit on. There must be the same number of frogs (dots) on each side of the pond (rectangle).

Perhaps play as a whole class as your lesson introduction or warm up to model strategies and problem solving skills for your learners:
  • how to make one side
  • how to find the total of one side
  • how to experiment with different combinations
  • how to check and change dominos to create a matching total
  • how to compensate or split numbers to achieve a total 
domino addition game for first grade

You need:

double 6 domino set

To play

  • students work in pairs or independently to arrange dominos in a rectangle making sure each side has the same total
Here you can see a pond with sides of 8.

addition game with dominos

Here a pond with sides of 6 has been created.
math game no prep

And here a pond with sides of 7 has been formed. Challenge your students to check each others' work and assist in making corrections. 
first grade addition

We hope your learners love this fun no-prep game. If you're looking for more ideas we can help: