Number Path
Help Mathumo cross the stones by stepping on the numbers in order.
- Ages 4–6
- Number order to 20
- Reading numerals
Shut the Box
The Shut the Box game is a dice game: roll, then close tiles that add up to your roll. Close every tile to shut the box! Free for ages 5 to 8.
Roll the die to start!
How to play
Close every tile to shut the box! Free for ages 5 to 8.
- Choose a box: the Little Box has tiles 1 to 6 and one die; the Classic Box has tiles 1 to 9 and two dice.
- Press Roll.
- Tap open tiles that add up to the roll. With a roll of 7 you could pick 7, or 3 and 4, or 1, 2 and 4.
- Press Close tiles. The tiles flip down.
- Roll again. When no open tiles can make the roll, the round is done. If you close every tile, you shut the box!
Stuck? Show one way highlights one set of tiles that works. It never chooses for you.
What children learn
- Number bonds: seeing that 8 is 3 and 5, or 2 and 6, or 1, 3 and 4.
- Mental addition: up to 6 with one die and up to 12 with two.
- Planning ahead: choosing which tiles to keep open for later rolls.
Shut the Box rules
The rules of Shut the Box are short. Roll the dice, close open tiles that add up to the total, and roll again until no tile combination is left. If you close every tile, you shut the box.
What you need
A row of numbered tiles that flip down, and dice. This page has two boxes: the Little Box has tiles 1 to 6 and one die, and the Classic Box has tiles 1 to 9 and two dice.
A turn
- Roll the dice and add them up.
- Pick open tiles that add up to the total. You can use one tile or several. With a total of 8 in the Classic Box you could close 8; 1 and 7; 2 and 6; 3 and 5; 1, 2 and 5; or 1, 3 and 4.
- Close those tiles, then roll again. Closed tiles stay closed.
When a round ends
A round ends when no open tiles can make the number you rolled, or when every tile is closed.
The traditional way to finish
In the traditional game, a player whose turn ends adds up the tiles still open. Lower is better, and zero means the box is shut. With 2 to 4 players, each plays a round in turn and the lowest total wins. Playing alone, you can try to beat your own total.
A few tips
- Close the high tiles first when you can. A 9 or an 8 is hard to make later.
- Keep small tiles open as long as you can. With 1, 2 and 3 still open, many more rolls can be made.
- With two dice the total 7 comes up most often, so keep a way to make 7.
Guides for parents
Ideas for playing and talking about math away from the screen, related to Shut the Box.
How to teach addition: from counting all to making ten
How to teach addition to kids in order: counting all, counting on, doubles, making ten, then fluency through play instead of timed drills.
Math board games for kids: what to play at ages 3 to 8
Math board games for kids, by age: race tracks, dominoes, sowing games, Shut the Box and dice games, plus how to make your own number track at home.
12 math games for kids at home, with no worksheets
Twelve math games for kids at home using cards, dice, the kitchen and a walk. No worksheets, no special supplies, plus free online games to try.
More games
Shape Pop
Pop the bubbles that hold the shape Mathumo asks for.
- Ages 3–6
- Naming 2-D shapes
- Sides and corners
Questions about Shut the Box
How do you play Shut the Box, and what are the rules?
Roll the dice, then close any open tiles that add up to the total. Keep rolling until no open tiles can make the number rolled. If you close every tile you shut the box. The full rules for the Little Box and the Classic Box are on this page, under Shut the Box rules.
What is Shut the Box?
Shut the Box is a traditional dice game played with numbered tiles. Each turn you roll the dice and close any open tiles that add up to the roll. The round ends when no open tiles can make the number rolled. Closing every tile is called shutting the box.
What age is Shut the Box good for?
The Little Box, with tiles 1 to 6 and one die, suits children from about age 5 who can add small numbers. The Classic Box, with tiles 1 to 9 and two dice, suits ages 6 to 8 and practises sums up to 12.
What math does Shut the Box teach?
It practises addition and number bonds: a roll of 8 can be closed as 8, as 3 and 5, as 2 and 6, as 1 and 7, or as 1, 3 and 4. Children learn that one number can be split in many ways, and plan which tiles to keep open.
How many people can play Shut the Box?
The traditional game is for 2 to 4 players, who take turns and compare how the tiles that stay open add up. This page is for one player at a time, so pass the screen to a friend after each round.