Dice Games for Fun

GAME 1: Fill the Frame

• Players: Up to 5 players
• Materials: Note Knacks Dice and One Note Knacks Set per small group

How to Play
1. Each small group receives a Note Knacks Set.
2. Roll the Time Signature Die to determine which time signature frame everyone will use.
3. Player 1 chooses either the Note Die or the Rest Die and rolls it.
4. Based on the roll, the player selects the correct Note Knack, making sure to use the
correct side, and places it on their time signature frame.
5. Players take turns rolling either the Note Die or the Rest Die and adding the
corresponding Note Knack to their frames.
6. If a player rolls a note or rest that will not fit in the remaining space on their frame, they
must wait until their next turn to roll again.
7. Continue playing until a player fills their frame.

How to Win: The first player to fill their frame gets the first chance to win by correctly saying or
performing the rhythm they created. If they make a mistake, the other players get a chance
to win.

GAME 2: Rhythm Challenge

• Players: Up to 5 teams
• Materials: One Note Knacks Set per team, paper and pencil, and a timer

How to Play
1. Each team gets a Note Knacks Set.
2. The first team rolls the Time Signature Die to determine the time signature frame
everyone will use.
3. Set a timer for 3 minutes.
4. Each team works together to create and write down as many different rhythms as
possible that can fit within the chosen time signature.
5. Teams may use notes only or include rests. Remind students to keep paired eighth
notes together and four sixteenth notes together.
6. When time is up, teams count the number of correct rhythms they created.

How to Win: The team with the most rhythms gets the first chance to win by correctly saying
or performing each rhythm they created. If they cannot perform them all correctly, another
team gets a chance.

GAME 3: Match the Note and Rest
This is a great game for assessment!

• Players: Unlimited, working in teams of 2
• Materials: One Set of Note Knacks Dice

How to Play
1. Each team chooses a Player 1 and a Player 2.
2. On their turn, Player 1 rolls the Note Die.
3. Player 2 uses the Rest Die to identify the rest that matches the note rolled.
4. The players switch roles on the next turn: Player 2 rolls the Note Die, and Player 1
identifies the matching rest using the Rest Die.
5. Continue taking turns for as many rounds as the teacher chooses, depending on how
much practice students need.
6. The teacher keeps track of each team’s correct answers.

How to Win: The team with the most correct answers wins. Since ties are likely, the teacher
can add a lightning round to determine the winner.

TEACHER’S NOTE: The colors make it easy for students to identify the matching rests, making this a
great starting point. To increase the difficulty, remove the Rest Die or Note Die and have students
write their answers on paper instead.