I love using fun math games in the classroom for a variety of reasons: differentiation, brain breaks, indoor recess, or even as a behavior party reward! Students are learning and having fun – that’s a win-win combo for sure!
There are so many different ways to incorporate math games into your daily routine and students won’t even know they are practicing everything from basic math facts to advanced geometry vocabulary!
Personally, I know my daughter struggled with math facts for YEARS – even into her middle and high school grades! She never really had a chance to “play” with numbers and grasp number sense.
As she grew a little older – and less intimidated by math, she practiced math games with her little brother and BAM – it all suddenly clicked for her! Math is certainly a subject that students tend to love or hate. As educators, we hope we can develop the love for all different subjects. One way to really pull that off is by offering fun learning choices throughout the day that feel less like a chore and more like a family game night.
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Math Skills to Practice
What are some skills that your students can practice while playing an educational game during your daily lessons?
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Fact Families
- Prime Numbers
- Integers
- Fractions
- …and pretty much any other math-related lesson you may be teaching!
How do you keep studets on track and not just “farting around” with manipulatives and game pieces?
Simple! A very wise math instructional coach taught me this trick: Give the students the game pieces first and set a timer for 60 seconds. They get 1 minute to play and get it out of their system. At the end of the 60 seconds, the toys now become learning materials and they are not to be played with as a toy any longer.
This one small change of thought patterns made all the difference with third graders! They suddenly went from playing with the manipulatives to using them for the process when their timer was done. It was a math miracle!
Would you like a set of 48 playing cards, 8 bingo cards, and 5 familiar game directions?
Each set is perfect for centers, early finishers, or as a class reward incentive! Simply print, laminate, and go – easy to set up and easy to store!
Click HERE to check out the Math Games Bundle!
Fun Ways to Practice Math Facts
Check out some of these other math-related activities you can do easily!
Fact Family Funhouse: Using this cute Target find, you can really visually cement the idea of fact families with your students!
Pumpkin Sorting Activity: Loving this matching traits and attributes lesson with cute fall pumpkins! Or use it for creating random cooperative learning groups! The choice is yours.
Popsicle Stick Pattern Cards Sampler: Popsicle sticks are inexpensive and super versatile in the classroom! Use them to create geometric shapes or showcase math vocabulary. Perfect!
How Do You Say A Number?: A quick way to practice representing a number in various ways. And it’s dry erase for easy set up and clean up for the next day.
Turning Noneducational Games into Learning Fun: Checkers, Jenga, and Twister are all games not necessarily math-based, but that doesn’t stop smart teachers from repurposing them anyway.
Serving Up Place Value with Straws: No extra funds for new math manipulatives? No problem! Use straws and you’re all set.
Telling Time Rollers!: Who would think to use dice for teaching time? I’ve got you covered with this easy activity.
Having A Ball With Vocabulary – DIY Style: Practice the all-important math vocabulary with a beach ball. Hours of fun for students and they will actually want to know their vocabulary words too.
Monster Caps Craft and Graphing: Graphing with cute crafty monsters? Even better that you are upcycling used materials too!
Beachy Keen Learning Ideas!: Whether you have a beach theme or not, students will have a blast with these beachy ideas for reading and math. The best part? It doesn’t matter where you live or even if it is snowing outside. Bring the sunshine and warmth!
Thinking About the Operation and Algebraic Thinking: One of my favorite online math games is listed here. This math game will practice whole-part thinking strategies.
Slider Baggie Counting: Practicing counting on has never been easier to visualize. Grab a plastic baggie and your students are all set to set the numbers increase or decrease.
Polygon Math File!: Integrating literature into math helps you get double bang for your oh so limited time during the day. Geometry and reading definitely make a good pair.
15 Fabulous Equivalent Fractions Teaching Tools: Are equivalent fractions coming up in your lesson plans? You’ll want to check out this list of some pretty spectacular ideas to snazz up those plans.
Would you like a set of 48 playing cards, 8 bingo cards, and 5 familiar game directions?
Each set is perfect for centers, early finishers, or as a class reward incentive! Simply print, laminate, and go – easy to set up and easy to store!
Click HERE to check out the Math Games Bundle!
How about one more BONUS printable for you?
This unique twist on tic-tac-toe involves a little strategy and a lot of fun! Download it below for free.
What other topics can you play math games with in your classroom? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments below too!
~Charity
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