Space Race to 100 Counting Game
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Learning to count to 100 is more fun when you’re racing through space! Â The Space Race to 100 is a simple printable math game that helps kids practice counting, number recognition, and navigating a hundred chart.
It’s quick to set up, easy to learn, and requires almost no prep. Just print the game, grab one or two dice, and see who can race to 100 first!
Counting to 100 with a Hundred Chart
A hundred chart helps kids see how numbers are organized and how they relate to one another.
The Space Race game board uses the numbers 1–100, but instead of beginning a new row on the same side each time, the numbers travel back and forth across the board.
This creates one continuous path that kids can follow as they move their game pieces toward 100.
As kids play, they’re practicing skills such as:
- Counting forward
- Number recognition
- One-to-one counting
- Number order
- Addition
- Understanding numbers to 100
And because they’re trying to reach the finish line, they’re getting lots of counting practice without another worksheet.
How to Play the Space Race to 100 Math Game
Print the game board and game pieces. You’ll also need one or two dice.
The printable game pieces are shooting stars that fold in half so they can stand up. You can also use any small object you have nearby—a button, coin, pom-pom, mini eraser, or small toy works just fine.
Place each player’s game piece at the beginning of the board.
Take turns rolling the die and moving forward that number of spaces.
Keep racing around the board until someone reaches 100!
Use One Die for Beginning Counters
For children who are still developing basic counting skills, play with one die.
Have your child count the dots on the die and then move the game piece one space at a time while counting aloud.
Encourage them to look at the number they land on and say it aloud.
The game will take a little longer with one die—which just means more counting practice!
Use Two Dice to Practice Addition
Ready to make it a little more challenging?
Use two dice instead.
Kids can roll both dice, add the numbers together, and then move that many spaces.
For example, if they roll a 4 and a 5: 4 + 5 = 9
They move nine spaces around the board.
Now they’re practicing both addition facts and counting forward as they race toward 100.
Try Some Hundred Chart Math
You can use the game board for even more math practice as you play.
Ask questions like:
- What number are you on now?
- What number comes next?
- What number comes before it?
- How far are you from 100?
- Who is closer to 100?
- How many more spaces do you need to reach 100?
These simple questions help kids think about the relationships between numbers rather than simply reciting them.
Make It an Addition Game
For kids who are ready for a bigger challenge, have them write an equation for each turn.
For example, imagine a player is on space 25 and rolls a total of 12.
Instead of immediately counting forward 12 spaces, have them figure out: 25 + 12 = 37
Then they can move their game piece to check their answer.
You can also encourage kids to use the structure of the board to solve mentally. From 25, for example, they might add 10 to reach 35 and then add 2 more.
This turns a simple counting game into practice with mental addition and number sense.
Get the Space Race to 100 Printable Game
Ready for takeoff?
The Space Race to 100 Counting Game is an easy, low-prep way to practice counting and early addition.
Print the board and game pieces, grab your dice, and start racing!
Get the Space Race to 100 Counting Game:
More Counting to 100 Activities
Keep practicing with these hands-on hundred chart activities:
