Hen Roll and Color

So Many Ways to Play: Hen Roll and Color

Looking for a quick, low-prep math activity that builds number sense and brings a smile to your classroom or home learning space? Our Hen Roll and Color page is a sweet way to combine dice play, counting, addition, subtraction, and early problem-solving all in one printable.

All you need is the Hen Roll and Color page printed, a selection of classroom dice, and something to color with—and you're ready to play. This one-page wonder is perfect for centers, early finishers, number warm-ups, or even a calm-down activity with math magic baked in.

 

How It Works

Each hen on the page is made up of two dice-style dot arrangements—one for the hen and one for the nest. Children can be directed to:

• Color just the hen
• Color just the nest
• Color a complete hen + nest combo
• Color any hen and any nest that match their roll
• Color to match a number in whole
• Color parts that combine to make a total using addition, subtraction, or difference

Play Variations Using Different Dice

Changing the dice = changing the learning. Try these simple swaps and rule changes to support different skills:

Basic Matching

• Roll a standard die
• Find and color an exact match (e.g., roll a 6, find a hen or nest showing 6 dots)
• Combining to Make a Number

Roll a standard die

• Color a combination of hens/nests to make that number (e.g., roll a 6, color a 4 and a 2)
• Doubles or Sums

Roll two dice

• Find a hen/nest combo that matches both dice OR their total (e.g., roll a 3 and 2, color a 3 and 2 or a 5)

Numerals Instead of Dots

• Use numeral dice
• Students think symbolically, not just visually—no dot counting! Great for building mental math strategies.

Difference Play

• Roll a 10-sided and a 20-sided die
• Subtract the smaller from the larger. Color hens/nests to match the difference.

Skills in Action

Depending on your chosen variation, students are:

• Strengthening subitizing and visual number recognition
• Practicing addition and subtraction strategies
• Exploring part-part-whole relationships
• Comparing numbers and thinking flexibly
• Enjoying math as a creative, calm, and colorful part of the day

This simple printable is a springboard for strategy, and you'll be amazed at how engaged children are when given small shifts in instructions and the freedom to explore.

Ready to Play?

• Try a variation or two this week. You’ll love how easy it is to differentiate for different learners just by switching the dice or the directions.
• Join the Pond Coloring Club for year-round access to creative, fun coloring pages just like this one!
• Explore more Play on the Page worksheet games here.
• Play some spring math games with hens using our Hens and Nest Counting Mats — perfect for story play, hands-on counting, and classroom centers.

Let your students roll, color, and grow their number sense—all in one delightful page. 💛
Happy teaching, and happy coloring!