Games That Help With Math
Certain games can help children learn basic math skills like counting, adding and subtracting. Integrating fun into learning math skills can help children with their recall of basic math functions and remove the sense that math is hard or not very exciting to learn. These games can include dice, simple shopping games and even free computer games that reward children points or virtual "treats" for answering math questions correctly. Playing card games can also help children learn math.
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Operation Dice Game
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This game is best suited for children in first through sixth grade. Take a pair of dice plus one single die. With masking tape, block off every side of the single die. Using a felt tip marker, draw a plus sign on one side, a minus on the next, an addition sign on the next, a multiplication sign on the next and a division sign on the next side. Gather students together to roll the three dice at the same time. Whatever the numbers on the two dice say, each student must perform whichever math symbol comes up. For example, if they roll a three, a six and a subtraction sign, that student must tell you the correct answer for "six minus three." For fun, have the students race each other for the correct answer.
The Phone Book Race
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This math game is best for children in grades third through sixth. Hand out paper, pencils and old phone books. Help guide the children to write a list of things they might find in the phone book, like pizza parlors, florists and auto mechanics. Set a timer for anywhere from five to 10 minutes. Have the children race to write down, and count, as many of the business names of each of the categories they previously selected. Ask the children questions like, "If you subtract the number of pizza parlors from the number of florists, what do you get?" and "If you add the number of auto mechanics to the number of veterinarians, what number will you get?" This game will help children learn simple addition and subtraction while making the process fun.
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Go Fish!
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This game is best for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Take a wooden dowel without any sharp edges. Tie a string to one end of the dowel and attach a magnet to the string. Cut paper fish out of construction paper, draw a number on each of their sides and tape a paper clip to their mouths. Call out numbers and have children take turns "catching" the fish. Each child's turn is up when they miss their number. For older children, call out addition and subtraction problems and have the fish become the correct answer.
Candy Shop
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This game is best for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Purchase several bags of small candy, such as individually wrapped chocolate kisses and mixed bags of miniature candy bars. Also purchase enough fake money to pass around the class. Draw up a price list, with students helping to name the price of each type of candy. Start out with the same amount of money for each student and watch as the students select which candy to buy. Teach the children how to add and subtract by making change for each piece of candy they "purchase."
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