Horseshoe Race

Race to the finish in this fun addition board game! Your first grader will work on the important skill of adding in this two-player game. Take turns drawing playing cards to find your numbers. Add them together correctly in order to move ahead. The first player to reach the finish line will win! Your student will gain confidence with his addition facts as he works towards mastery. You can set the flash cards aside for a little while and add a little something extra to your math practice with this exciting activity.

What You Need:

• One deck of playing cards (Print a deck.)
• One Horseshoe Race game board (Print this out.)
• A place marker for each player (e.g. beans, coins, etc.)

What You Do:

1. Players each select a place marker and put in at the starting point on the game board.
2. Players take turns drawing two cards each and adding up their values. (All face cards equal 10, and aces equal 1.)
3. If a player adds correctly, they may move forward one space.
4. The first player to reach the finish line wins!

Variations:

• Allow players to only add numbers that are in their color. (Notice the red and black labels on the game board.) Thus, a player must draw two cards of their color in order to have a chance at moving ahead.
• Change the values of face cards to jacks = 11, queens = 12, and kings = 13.
• Subtract or multiply instead of adding.
• For younger players, each player may select a color to represent (red or black). Draw one card at a time. If a player draws their color, they may move ahead one space. If not, they stay where they are.