Snakes and Ladders
Play Snakes and Ladders together. The number on the die tells you how many spaces to move.
- 5 years
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 30 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Cognitive：Rolling a number and moving a piece one space for each count helps your child connect a numeral or dot quantity with the same number of moves.
- Social/Emotional：Having their effort noticed and reaching the end of the game gives your child a chance to feel capable and proud of completing a challenge.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
Snakes and Ladders board. Rules: Each player chooses a game piece, takes turns rolling the die, and moves the number of spaces shown. If a piece lands on a snake’s head, slide down to its tail
- 2
if it lands at the bottom of a ladder, climb to the space at the top
Step 1
Learn the Game Together
Open the board and invite your child to play. Try several practice turns while explaining one rule at a time. Let them see how the number rolled matches the number of spaces a piece moves before you begin the full game.
What to notice
- Follows the opening sequence by choosing a piece and then rolling the die
Attending and Understanding - Joins in with a new board game
Initiative and Curiosity
Tips
- Pair one short rule with one action. Say, “First, choose a piece,” while setting the pieces in front of your child.
- Build a little suspense as you open the board: “I found a game with ladders to climb and snakes to slide down. Want to see?”
Step 2
Show How to Move Four Spaces
Let your child move the piece in the way that first makes sense to them. If they roll a three and place it directly on space three, notice their idea before demonstrating. Start from the current space and count three moves, one space at a time, to show that the number means how far to move.
What to notice
- Moves one space at a time while saying one number for each move
Counting and Cardinality - Shows enjoyment while playing the board game with you
Relationships with Adults
Tips
- When your child moves differently, pause before correcting them. The move can show you how they understood the number.
- A wrong move can also feel frustrating when your child does not yet see why it is different. Demonstrate the count calmly and try the turn again.
Step 3
Count Each Move
When a snake or ladder is nearby, count how many spaces away it is and ask, “What number do you hope to roll? Why?” After the roll, move and count one space at a time to see whether the prediction comes true.
What to notice
- Notices a snake two spaces ahead and says they do not want to roll a two Counting and Cardinality
- Shows happiness or satisfaction after using the new counting method to reach another space
Sense of Identity and Belonging
Tips
- Describe the successful strategy: “You said one number for each space. Your counting and moves matched.”
- Let your child roll, count, and move the piece. If they count slowly, wait and give them time to finish.
- A strongly hoped-for or unwanted roll creates a natural moment to discuss numbers and predict the result.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026