Math Activities and Games
Activities & Games
Flash Cards
This is not really a game, but there is nothing that works as well to learn the math facts, in my opinion.
Go through the stack of cards once. If your child can say the answer within 3-5 seconds, they have it memorized. Put those in an "I Know These" stack. For the facts that take longer than 5 seconds, put those facts in a "I Need to Memorize" stack. I think you will find that the stack that they don't know is quite small. Practice just these facts every day for 2-3 weeks. You will be amazed at the results!
Multiplication Uno
Uses multiplication skills 0-9. Play the game exactly as the Uno rules say, but you must tell the product of the two numbers before you play your card. If red 6 is showing and you play a blue 6, 6 x 6 = 36 is your play, the next person plays a blue 4, 6 x 4 = 24, and so on. Remember, each player must say the product of the two numbers showing before playing their card!
Break My Eggs
Use an empty egg carton with a top that closes. Write the numbers 1 through 12 on the bottom of each cup inside the carton. Place 2 small objects in the carton. To play, close the carton and shake it. Then open it up to see where the objects landed. Multiply those numbers together. Play again.
Multiplying Dominoes
Play dominoes as usual, with a multiplying challenge. Each time you add a domino, you must multiply the dots on each half together. For example, if your domino has 3 dots on one side and 5 on the other, you would multiply 3 x 5 = 15 and say the answer before adding your domino.
War (2 players)
You need a deck of playing cards for this game. Write down:
Ace = 1
Jack = 0
Queen = 11
King = 12
Shuffle the cards. Deal them evenly between the 2 players. Players stack the cards face down in front of them. To play, both players turn their top card over at the same time. They multiply the two numbers that are showing together and say the product. The person who says the answer first keeps the pair of cards. Continue until all cards are gone. The player with the most cards at the end wins.
Using Dice
Use either 2 or 4 dice. For 2 dice, roll the dice and multiply the two numbers together. To make this more challenging use 4 dice (more fun with 2 people). One person rolls 2 dice and adds the numbers they roll, the other person rolls 2 dice and adds their total. Then the players multiply their totals together. This can be done orally or you can write the facts down as you go.
Checkers
Use a checkers board and some sticky (Post-It type) notes. Put a sticky note on each black square. Write a multiplication fact (without the answer) on each sticky note. Play checkers as usual, but before each player moves to a square they must give the correct product. You can change the sticky notes when you are ready for a new challenge!
Multiplication Memory
Use index cards or paper cut into card-sized pieces, or flashcards. Make a set of 18 fact cards (2 x 2) and 18 product cards (4). Each fact card should have a product card to match.
Once the cards are created, shuffle them. Spread the cards out face down. To play, turn over 2 cards. If the cards match, the player takes those two cards and goes again. If not, the cards are turned back over and the other player tries. Continue until all cards are gone. The player with the most card pairs wins.
Flash Cards
This is not really a game, but there is nothing that works as well to learn the math facts, in my opinion.
Go through the stack of cards once. If your child can say the answer within 3-5 seconds, they have it memorized. Put those in an "I Know These" stack. For the facts that take longer than 5 seconds, put those facts in a "I Need to Memorize" stack. I think you will find that the stack that they don't know is quite small. Practice just these facts every day for 2-3 weeks. You will be amazed at the results!
Multiplication Uno
Uses multiplication skills 0-9. Play the game exactly as the Uno rules say, but you must tell the product of the two numbers before you play your card. If red 6 is showing and you play a blue 6, 6 x 6 = 36 is your play, the next person plays a blue 4, 6 x 4 = 24, and so on. Remember, each player must say the product of the two numbers showing before playing their card!
Break My Eggs
Use an empty egg carton with a top that closes. Write the numbers 1 through 12 on the bottom of each cup inside the carton. Place 2 small objects in the carton. To play, close the carton and shake it. Then open it up to see where the objects landed. Multiply those numbers together. Play again.
Multiplying Dominoes
Play dominoes as usual, with a multiplying challenge. Each time you add a domino, you must multiply the dots on each half together. For example, if your domino has 3 dots on one side and 5 on the other, you would multiply 3 x 5 = 15 and say the answer before adding your domino.
War (2 players)
You need a deck of playing cards for this game. Write down:
Ace = 1
Jack = 0
Queen = 11
King = 12
Shuffle the cards. Deal them evenly between the 2 players. Players stack the cards face down in front of them. To play, both players turn their top card over at the same time. They multiply the two numbers that are showing together and say the product. The person who says the answer first keeps the pair of cards. Continue until all cards are gone. The player with the most cards at the end wins.
Using Dice
Use either 2 or 4 dice. For 2 dice, roll the dice and multiply the two numbers together. To make this more challenging use 4 dice (more fun with 2 people). One person rolls 2 dice and adds the numbers they roll, the other person rolls 2 dice and adds their total. Then the players multiply their totals together. This can be done orally or you can write the facts down as you go.
Checkers
Use a checkers board and some sticky (Post-It type) notes. Put a sticky note on each black square. Write a multiplication fact (without the answer) on each sticky note. Play checkers as usual, but before each player moves to a square they must give the correct product. You can change the sticky notes when you are ready for a new challenge!
Multiplication Memory
Use index cards or paper cut into card-sized pieces, or flashcards. Make a set of 18 fact cards (2 x 2) and 18 product cards (4). Each fact card should have a product card to match.
Once the cards are created, shuffle them. Spread the cards out face down. To play, turn over 2 cards. If the cards match, the player takes those two cards and goes again. If not, the cards are turned back over and the other player tries. Continue until all cards are gone. The player with the most card pairs wins.