I know there are not many children that are like I was growing up (I loooved math, and still do today); so, I’ve had to get really creative during tutoring sessions. Though going through the steps to solving a math problem and practicing the math problems is critical, doing so by simply writing problems and solving them will lose a child’s interest and attention quickly. In order to keep our math achievers engaged during tutoring sessions, I’ve had to find creative ways to make math fun.
During tutoring sessions, after going through the steps for a particular math skill; we usually complete some type of activity or game to reinforce that math skill. The games we play are usually pretty easy to set up and require minimal materials. The games or materials are most likely things you already have at home. This is why I recommend our math achievers play these games at home with family to help reinforce those math skills.
1. MATH-O
MATH-O is just like BINGO. You can make a MATH-O board game at home just like the one seen below. All you’ll need is paper of your choice, a ruler, a pen or pencil, and a marker. You can pretty much use anything you like as the bingo markers: Bingo Counting Chips, Dot Markers, Buttons, Candy, marking with pencil or crayon, or any small items around the house.
(DIY MATH-O)
You can fill in the DIY MATH-O board a couple of different ways:
Have your child fill the board with random numbers beforehand
You fill out the board with numbers based on problems you’ve created
You fill the board with problems
If the board is being filled with numbers, you’ll want to write out a list of problems beforehand to match some of the numbers on the board. You will use this as your calling card.
This game can be played with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or even algebraic equations. This can truly be played with any math skill you can think of. If your child has a math worksheet as homework, those problems could even be converted into MATH-O.
If you just don’t have the time to create a DIY MATH-O Board (trust me I get it), You can also download our FREE MATH-O Boards below by entering your name and email address.
2. Math Towers
Math Towers is definitely a favorite with our math achievers. It’s essentially just like the game Jenga. I don’t know if it’s the excitement that comes with being able to pull a block and NOT making the tower of blocks fall or the excitement that comes with pulling a block and making ALL the blocks fall; but they love Math Towers!
If Jenga is not already a household game, these really cool colorful building blocks or these large ones are really fun to use with Math Towers.
Just like MATH-O, Math Towers can be played with any math skill.
When using the colorful blocks, we list each color as a different math skill or fact. These blocks come with a rolling die, so your child rolls the die; then whatever color the die lands on is the type of problem that your child will solve. If they get that problem correct, then they get to pull a block from the tower that’s the same color.
For example, if we play Math Towers for multiplication facts; 2 multiplication facts are red, 3 multiplication facts are green, 4 multiplication facts are yellow, and so on. In this instance we will list the multiplication problems in their respective colors (2 x 0, 2 x 1, 2 x 2, 2 x 3… in red; 3 x 0, 3 x 1, 3 x 2, 3 x 3… in green; 4 x 0, 4 x 1, 4 x 2, 4 x 3… in yellow; and so on). Also, when playing with multiplication facts, we don’t cross out problems we’ve already solved because repetition will help the facts stick.
(Math Towers with colorful blocks)
We may also play with each color being a different skill. For example, addition is purple, subtraction is blue, adding doubles is green, missing numbers in addition is yellow, missing numbers in subtraction is pink, and a mixture of all skills is red.
(Math Towers with Large Blocks and game twists)
When we use large blocks or the regular Jenga blocks, we essentially play the same way. The math problems just aren’t categorized. For each math problem your child gets correct they get to pull a block from the tower and hope the Math Tower doesn’t come tumbling down or hope it does!
I’m sure your child will enjoy any version of Math Towers you choose to play, as our math achievers love every version we play.
3. Hopscotch Math
Hopscotch Math is a fun game to play outdoors on the front or back porch, or at the park. You can also play hopscotch math indoors. To play outdoors all you will need is some chalk to create the hopscotch squares. To play indoors you can use tape to create hopscotch squares or hula hoops to create hopscotch circles and label the squares or circles by writing numbers on a sheet of paper.
Hopscotch Math is a good game for skip counting, multiplication facts, or addition.
To practice skip counting, your child can hop up and down the hopscotch squares and practice skip counting up to the 10 square. For example, to practice skip counting by 3s as they hop along, they would say 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30. To make it even more challenging they can skip count backwards going back down the squares from 30 to 3.
To practice multiplication facts, you will need any small object to toss. For example, if your child needs to reinforce their 12 multiplication facts. Your child will toss the object on the hopscotch squares. Whatever number the object lands on, your child will hop to that number and complete the multiplication fact for that number. If the object landed on 6, your child would hop to 6 and recite 12 x 6 = 72.
You will also need a small object to practice addition in Hopscotch Math. Your child will toss the object on the hopscotch squares. Whatever number the object lands on, your child will hop to that number adding each number as they hop along. For example, if the object landed on 4; as your child hops along, they would recite
1 + 2 = 3, 3 + 3 = 6, 6 + 4 = 10. To make this even more challenging, the hopscotch squares can be filled with other numbers besides 1 - 10.
(Hopscotch Math)
You’ll quickly find that playing these fun games at home with your child not only builds their math skills; but playing a math game with loved ones will also help build your child's love for math.
Have you tried playing any of these games at home with your child? If so, how did it go? If you tried more than one game, what was your child’s favorite math game to play?
If you would like to build your child’s fundamental math skills, we have passionate and experienced tutors offering in-person and virtual help. Visit our website or give us a call at 813-336-2458.
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