by Katie Brazerol

Here’s a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to make large dice for games and math activities! Although dice can be beneficial for counting games, they are often difficult for young children to hold. In addition, young children who are just beginning to use one-to-one correspondence in counting may not be ready to count up to six dots. Standard-size dice also fit in a choke tube, making them a potential choking hazard. Here is a way to make your own cubes that are easier for young hands to handle, and—best of all—you can control the numerals or number of dots!

What You’ll Need:

• 2 clean, dry cartons of exactly same size (Half-pint, pint, quart, and half-gallon will work. The bigger the containers, the bigger your cube will be. Half-gallon cartons work great for homemade blocks!)
• Scissors
• Wide colored tape or solid contact paper
• Ruler
• Marker

Step 1: Measure the bottom of two containers of the same size.

 (This half pint container is about 2.25″)

Step 2: Measure that same amount up all the sides of BOTH containers, and mark them with a line.

Step 3: Cut both cartons along the marked line.

Step 4: Slide one carton inside of the other, creating a cube. (Tip: Press the sides slightly on one carton as you slide it in the other so it fits.)

Step 5: Cover the cube with tape. (Masking tape, duct tape, or solid contact paper will work.)

Step 6: Mark the cube with dots or numerals.

Ask families to save empty cartons so you can make several types of dice, depending on the skill levels of your children. Or, create sets of homemade blocks in different sizes and colors for your building area!