Math Game Ideas for Kids
Math Games
Some of the following games will have instructions on the web page while other titles will be linked to a printable page. These games should work well in the classroom as well as at home!
You will need: Large Post-it Notes (or index cards and masking tape), pen.
Write numbers on the back of 2 post-it notes and place the notes on the back of a player without the player being allowed to see them. The player with the notes then turns his back to the other players for a brief moment so they can see the two numbers. He then turns to face the group again.
The other children should now help the post-it note player figure out the 2 numbers on his back. For example, group members may take turns giving him equations that demonstrate the numbers. For example, let's say the post-it player has the numbers 2 & 7 on his back. One group member may say, "6 + 10" and another may say, "5-3". Or, you can have the group members act out the numbers. This works well for younger kids. For instance, one member may clap 2 times or stamp a foot 2 times. When the player with the post-it notes guesses the numbers, it's time for another player to take his place.
Practice place value making cereal chains.
Practice various various math skills through the game of checkers!
Supplies: One die for each group of kids and change coins
A learning game that will children in early grades learn money combinations. Have each group of 2-3 students start out with 10 dimes, 6 nickels, and 15 pennies. The first player rolls the die. Depending on the number that comes up, from 1-6, he will take that many coins. If he rolls a six, for example, he can take six pennies, but then he has to exchange 5 pennies for a nickel. After a few exchanges, the student will learn to pick a nickel and one penny. The next player will do the same and take the allotted amount. On the player's next turn, she takes the allotted coins, but if she ends up with five pennies, she should exchange them for a nickel. If she has two nickels, she has to exchange them for one dime. When all the dimes are gone, the game is over and all players count out their change. The person with the highest number wins. For the next level of learning money combinations add 10 quarters and then add dollar bills.
Have a long list of math problems ready. Divide the classroom into 2 teams. At this point it’s fun to have the teams break up and decide on a team name. Draw a big baseball diamond on the board. Choose which team is to be first up by tossing a coin, picking a number, etc. Have the team “up to bat” first line up and get ready to answer problems.
The pitching team begins by “pitching” a math problem to the “batting” team. You can either have the children from the “pitching” team takes turns pitching the problems, or you can have one child designated each inning as the “pitcher” of problems. The first child “up to bat” tries to answer the problem. If the child is correct, it’s a base hit and the teacher can mark that the baseball diamond. If the child misses the problem, it’s an “out”. When the batting team gets three outs, the teams switch places. Play until the designated score is reached.