Easy Homemade Dominoes for Kids

Looking for a fun and easy homemade game kids can actually play? These DIY dominoes for kids are a creative hands-on activity that lets children make their own colorful domino game using simple supplies. It’s part craft, part learning activity, and part family game night fun all in one.

Making homemade dominoes is a great way for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids to practice creativity, matching, counting, and problem-solving skills while creating something they can use again and again. Whether you’re looking for a rainy-day activity, boredom buster, homeschool project, or screen-free fun, this easy domino craft is a great option.

One of the best things about this homemade domino game is that kids can personalize it however they want. Use favorite colors, shapes, stickers, drawings, or even themed pictures to make a completely unique game set.

If you like this dominoes game craft you will also like this St.Patricks Day Lucky Clover Matching Game, Valentine’s Day Heart Matching Game, Halloween Target Game, DIY Fishing Game and this Fall Pumpkin Matching Game.

Skills This Craft Builds

Making and playing with homemade dominoes helps children strengthen important developmental skills while having fun.

Kids practice:

• Fine motor skills
• Counting skills
• Matching
• Pattern recognition
• Problem-solving
• Turn taking
• Focus and patience
• Color identification
• Social Participation

Best Ages for This Activity

Preschoolers

Younger children enjoy simple matching versions using shapes or colors.

Kindergarteners

Kindergarten-aged kids can begin practicing number recognition and turn-taking.

Elementary Kids

Older children can design more detailed domino sets and enjoy gameplay independently.

Homemade Domino Game Variations

Shape Dominoes

Use shapes instead of dots to help younger children practice shape recognition.

Color Matching Dominoes

Match colors instead of numbers for preschool learners.

Animal Dominoes

Use stickers or drawings of favorite animals to make themed dominoes.

Letter & Number Dominoes

Turn the game into a learning activity by practicing letters or early math.

As you may know, if you have been around this blog for very long, the kids’ crafts that I like the most are those that lead to therapeutic play once completed. Dominoes are a game that has so many variations, it can be played by children and adults of all ages and skill levels. Even preschoolers can learn to match numbers or colors…and what a fun way to learn those skills. What makes this craft so special is that when it is completed it brings the whole family together. And what could really be more important than that?

There have been lots of great blog posts by others about the actual game. So, I am not going to rehash. All of the rules and variations can be found HERE.  The focus of this post will be on the creation of your very own custom dominoes, made with items from the bag (of course).

First, let’s talk a little about what sets of dominoes include…A starter set will usually have numbers 1-6 and a blank, in all of the combinations possible. A set like this includes 28 tiles all together. Then there are sets which go to 9, with 55 tiles. Other sets are for the really serious players and can go up to as many dots as will fit on a little tile. We used to play with a set that went to 12 on each side. For the purposes of this project, we will limit ours to a set that goes to 6. You may even want to limit yourself to a set with blank to 3 for real little ones. It should be noted that the smaller the set, the fewer people can play. So, if you have a big family, make a larger set.

Project 1: Beaded Dominoes

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

• 28 Popsicle sticks
• Elmer’s Glue
• Pony Beads (6 Colors)
• Black Sharpie Marker

INSTRUCTIONS

• Line up the popsicle sticks side by side and draw a line down the middle (does not have to be exact) using the black sharpie marker.
• Use the Elmer’s glue to adhere beads, separated by color, to the popsicle sticks. Since you are separating them by color, little ones who are still learning to count but are able to sort by color, can still play with confidence. This is a great opportunity to work on counting skills.
• You will need the following combinations for a full set.

• Get the family together and PLAY!!!

Project 2: Pompom Dominoes Craft

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

• 28 Popsicle sticks
• Mini pom poms in 6 colors
• Elmer’s glue
• Black sharpie marker (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Repeat the instructions for Project 1, but using mini pom poms instead of beads.
• PLAY!

Project 3: Painted Dominoes Craft

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

• 28 Popsicle sticks
• 6 colors of paint plus black
• Clothespin
• 6 small pom poms
• q-tip

INSTRUCTIONS

• Choose a color to go with each number.
• Make a “paint brush” by clipping a pom pom with the clothespin.
• Paint colors on the sticks according to the picture above (eg-If you are using pink for your ‘1’ dominoes, you will need to paint pink everywhere that a ‘1’ appears on the dominoes in the picture.)
• Let the paint dry.
• Use the q-tip to make dots on the dominoes as picture in the diagram above.
• PLAY!

If you liked this project, pin it to your favorite Pinterest board for later!

BONUS PROJECT

• If you are planning to play Mexican Train (better for older kiddos), you will need the foundational centerpiece of the game. Check out the picture below. Then take a paper plate out of your bag and cut the appropriate slots around the edge. Decorate it any way that you like (glue on tissue paper squares, color with marker or crayons, paint, use washi tape…). Use various colors pompoms as markers. **Note that if you are playing this game, you will need to make a double 12 set of dominoes.
• Find the rules to the game HERE and a free printable score sheet HERE.

Ways to Use Homemade Dominoes

• Family game night
• Homeschool math lessons
• Rainy day activities
• Indoor boredom busters
• Preschool counting practice
• Classroom math centers

FAQ about this DIY Dominoes Craft???