Building strong number sense is essential in early mathematics, and one of the most foundational skills students must master is the ability to count both forwards and backwards with confidence. The Roll & Go: Forwards & Backwards game has been carefully created to support this skill in a fun, hands-on format that encourages active participation, number recognition, and fluency development.

This engaging activity allows students to roll dice to generate a starting number and then practise counting on or back from that number depending on the version of the game. Whether progressing from 14 to 24 or working back from 31 to 21, the repeated sequencing reinforces mental number lines and builds familiarity with number patterns across the 0–100 range.

Ideal for use during numeracy rotations, small group instruction, early finisher tasks, or one-on-one support sessions, Roll & Go: Forwards & Backwards is a flexible and differentiated resource. Teachers can easily adjust the difficulty by using one or more dice, selecting a simpler version, or challenging advanced students with mixed direction play. Plus, the reusable format makes it practical and eco-friendly for repeated classroom use.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Count forwards from any given number within 100
• ✅ Count backwards from any given number within 100
• ✅ Recognise, order, and work with numbers to 100
• ✅ Develop fluency in number sequences and skip counting
• ✅ Strengthen understanding of number relationships and patterns

What’s Included

• Roll & Go: Forwards version
• Roll & Go: Backwards version
• Roll & Go: Mixed (forwards and backwards) version

Materials Needed

• Standard 6-sided dice (1–2 per player)
• Pencils or whiteboard markers
• Optional: laminated game boards or sheet protectors for reuse

How to Use

1. Print and prepare the game boards for students, laminating if desired for reuse.
2. Give each student or pair a game board and a pair of dice.
3. Students roll the dice and combine the digits to create a two-digit number (e.g. 3 and 6 = 36).
4. For younger students, provide the one-digit version using a single die.
5. Students then complete the number sequence forwards or backwards, depending on the game version.
6. They write their sequences into the boxes on the game board and repeat for multiple rounds.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Include in your maths rotations for students to practise counting in an engaging way
• 💡 Use as a check-in activity for early finishers or numeracy support blocks
• 💡 Pair students to play cooperatively and practise turn-taking and verbal counting
• 💡 Integrate the mixed version into assessment tasks for counting fluency
• 💡 Set up as a take-home maths game using dice and a printed version in a folder

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Use only one die for students working with numbers to 10 or 20
• 💛 Add a third die for older students working with numbers to 100 or beyond
• 💛 Store game boards in reusable sleeves to minimise printing and maximise use
• 💛 Provide number lines as scaffolds for students who need visual support when counting

Roll & Go: Forwards & Backwards turns number sequencing into an exciting, hands-on experience – strengthening student confidence with every roll.