Help your students build fluency with the Near Doubles strategy using our fun and interactive Near Doubles Donut Roll & Cover game! This engaging activity gives learners repeated practise in applying the mental strategy of near doubles to solve addition problems efficiently. With three colourful game boards to choose from and a playful donut theme, this resource is sure to become a favourite during your maths rotations.

To play, students roll a 10-sided dice and follow the instructions on their chosen game board. Each roll prompts them to apply a near doubles fact and then cover the correct answer with a counter. The game continues until all spaces on the board are covered. This hands-on activity supports fluency by encouraging students to visualise number patterns and use the near doubles strategy to solve problems quickly and accurately.

Near Doubles Donut Roll & Cover provides an ideal way to practise this important mental strategy in an enjoyable and low-pressure format. The game helps students internalise near doubles facts, develop flexible thinking, and build confidence in using efficient strategies for addition. Whether used in small groups, during independent practise, or as part of your maths rotations, this resource offers valuable opportunities for consolidating understanding of near doubles.

The three different game boards included in this resource allow you to easily differentiate for your learners. You can introduce one board at a time or offer students a choice to keep them motivated and engaged. The donut theme adds a layer of fun and provides visual cues to support counting and number recognition as students play.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Develop fluency with the Near Doubles addition strategy
• ✅ Strengthen number sense and understanding of number patterns
• ✅ Build accuracy and confidence in mental addition
• ✅ Promote flexible thinking and strategic reasoning
• ✅ Foster independent practise and positive attitudes towards maths

What’s Included:

• Three Near Doubles Donut Roll & Cover game boards
• Teacher notes with tips for classroom use and differentiation

Materials Needed:

• Printed and laminated game boards (for durability and repeated use)
• 10-sided dice
• Counters for covering spaces on the board

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during maths rotations to reinforce the Near Doubles strategy through interactive play
• 💡 Incorporate into small group instruction to support explicit teaching of efficient addition strategies
• 💡 Offer as an independent task for early finishers or as part of a maths choice board
• 💡 Pair students to encourage collaborative reasoning and discussion while playing
• 💡 Use different boards to differentiate and extend learning for more capable learners

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate the game boards for repeated use across multiple lessons
• 💛 Model how to apply the Near Doubles strategy before playing to ensure student understanding
• 💛 Encourage students to verbalise their thinking as they calculate and place counters
• 💛 Provide number lines or doubles posters for additional support during the game

Near Doubles Donut Roll & Cover is a fun, flexible, and highly effective way to build fluency with this key addition strategy. The engaging game format and colourful design make it a perfect choice for helping students develop confidence and efficiency in mental maths - all while enjoying some delicious donut-themed fun!