In your whole academic life, have you ever been bored of the content that you have been taught, simply because of the way it was being taught? Have you ever wished to learn subjects like math in an interactive manner via games or other engaging ways?
Well, it may not have been possible about 20 years back, but since then, technology has advanced quite a lot and math games are a thing now! Luckily, apart from being fun to play, they’re also a great way for kids to learn mathematical concepts. There are many fun games available for kids ranging from primary school to high school. However, not all math games need to be played online and some can even be played offline for instance in the form of a puzzle or setting up a lemonade stand.
Here are 10 fun and engaging math games for kids which can boost the enjoyment as well as learning for students:
- Lemonade stand: This is an offline game where students can pretend to have their own lemonade stand. The tasks of the stand can be divided among students where some students are responsible for determining the price of the lemonade, others are in charge of calculating and giving back change to the customers, and some students are responsible for calculating the cost and profit of the stand. This way, all students are involved in some mathematical concept related to the lemonade stand and it is an excellent way for them to polish their skills. This game can also be played in different ways. For instance, students are in charge of a coffee shop instead of a lemonade stand.
- Race to 100: In this game, students roll the dice and they add each number they get when they roll the dice. The first student who reaches the number 100, wins. This game is beneficial for students because it teaches them to be attentive and responsible as they have to keep count of their scores. Moreover, it polishes their counting and mathematical skills because they add their scores which takes them closer to their goal.
- Math bingo: This is a mathematical variation of the game bingo. In this game, students can create their own bingo cards which contain mathematical equations. Then, students could play amongst each other to see who gets bingo first. For instance, if the equation is 4 x3 and the player has no. 12 in their bingo card, the student will cover the no. 12 with a chip and so on. Whoever has covered all their bingo cards with a chip, wins. This game polishes the mathematical skills of students and makes them more attentive as well which can be beneficial for them.
- Shape Scavenger Hunt: In this game, geometrical shapes are hidden somewhere in school or in the houses of students, and students are required to find the shapes. Once students find the shape, they are required to correctly identify the shapes and attributes before they are considered a winner. This is an engaging way for students to learn about geometrical shapes and their properties.
- Fraction Pizza: In this game, students are given paper pizzas which have been cut into slices and students are required to join those slices in a way where they can form a whole pizza. This game is beneficial as it teaches students about fractions and how they are added together or how they form something new.
- Number sequence puzzle: In this game, students are provided with a sequence of numbers with some missing numbers and they have to fill in the blanks. For instance, the sequence is 2,4,_,8. Now, students have to identify the missing number to complete the puzzle. This game is an engaging way of teaching students about multiples of certain numbers, for instance, the multiples of 2.
- Online math games: There are many websites online which have online math games for students as well. These games range from topics like geometry, fractions, logic games, decimals, and algebra. They are also beneficial for kids because they provide audio and visual engagement to the student when they get a correct answer, and also teach students about a mathematical concept in an engaging way.
- 24 Game: In this game, students are provided with a set of 4 numbers and the players are required to add, subtract, divide, or multiply those 4 numbers to get a result of 24. This is an engaging game for students and it also aids in their understanding of the functions of addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division.
- Math maze game: In this game, students are in a maze and they are given a set of equations. If they solve the equation correctly, they are provided with correct directions to walk towards the exit of the maze. This teaches students to solve mathematical equations in a manner which makes them carefully ponder the answer but in a shorter time as they want to exit the maze as soon as possible.
- Math hangman: In this game, students are required to solve a mathematical equation to guess a letter of a hidden word. The first team to get the most words is the winning team. This is an exciting and engaging game for students which not only involves healthy competition but also makes students solve mathematical equations which can be beneficial for them.
Overall, math games are an engaging way for students to learn various mathematical concepts. These games can either be played in a real-time setting with students playing amongst each other in a playground or classroom, or they can be played online in the comfort of the homes of the students.
FAQs:
- Why are math games important for kids?
Math games are an excellent way for kids to develop important math skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and arithmetic. They can also make learning math more engaging and fun for kids and thus, increase the interest of students in mathematics.
- What age group are these math games suitable for?
The age range for these math games varies, but most of them are suitable for kids between the ages of 5 and 12. Some games may be more challenging for younger kids, while others may be too easy for older kids. Thus, the games which students play should be according to their understanding level so it is engaging and beneficial for them.
- Are these math games only for students who enjoy math?
No, these math games can be enjoyed by students who may not necessarily enjoy math, as they offer a fun and engaging way to learn and practice math skills. In fact, some kids who may struggle with math may benefit from playing games as a way to build their confidence and make learning math more enjoyable.
- I know students who struggle with mathematics but I do not know how to help them. What should I do?
If you know someone who is struggling with mathematics, you can always provide them with additional help. For instance, various websites offer online tuitions to kids for a variety of subjects. The websites have many different math courses based on the age of those students. Thus, online tutoring is a way for students to gain additional knowledge about mathematics and give them extra attention as well.
- Are math games sufficient for students who struggle with math?
Students who struggle with math may do so because they have a weak understanding of the basics of mathematics. Thus, along with trying to get students to practice math by engaging in these games, it is important that students are receiving extra help to combat the challenges they face regarding math. For instance, by providing them with extra help by enrolling them in tuitions offered by expert tutors.
