How to Make a Math Board Game Using Decimals

Board games can be designed using various formats, including checker boards and circular paths.

Using games as part of a math curriculum or an enrichment activity can make decimals more enjoyable. To make the game more appealing, use bright colors and themes of interest to your students. For example, if your students are interested in animals, use game pieces that are shaped like animals. To develop students' critical thinking skills, incorporate strategy into your game rather than having it revolve around chance or a mechanical series of steps.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard or poster board
• Paint
• Markers
• Manila folders
• Small figurines

Instructions

1. Decide on a design, such as a checkerboard, a circular path or a path from a beginning point to an end point. Cut the poster board or cardboard to an appropriate size for the game board. Paint the spaces on the board various colors and use markers to label each space on the board with a different number, leaving room on the board for two piles of cards approximately the size of business cards.

2. Collect small figurines to use as game pieces representing each player. The figurines can be toys or can be taken from other board games. Or you can make your own figurines from small household items such as thimbles or paper clips.

3. Cut manila folders into pieces the size of business cards. Ideally, half should be one color and half another color. Devise names for both piles.

4. On half of the cards, write math problems involving decimals. If a player solves a problem correctly, he may move forward one space.

5. On the other half of the cards, write movement instructions that involve decimals. For example, a card could say, "Multiply your space number by 0.2 and round to the nearest whole number. Move that number of spaces forward."

6. Decide on the rules and goal of the game, and on rewards for completing certain tasks in the game. For example, players could take turns picking cards, the first player to reach space number 40 could be the winner, or any player who goes around a circular path once could get a bonus of five spaces.

References

• B. J. Dodge: First Steps in Board Game Design