Fun math activities: 35 Active Math Games and Activities for Kids Who Love To Move

Опубликовано: October 21, 2023 в 10:55 am

Автор: alexxlab

Категории: Miscellaneous

35 Active Math Games and Activities for Kids Who Love To Move

Tired of hearing groans when you announce it’s time for math? These active math games and activities will spice up your learning game. They get kids up and moving, using their whole bodies to learn facts and skills. Lots of these ideas can be adapted to suit a variety of math concepts, so choose a few to try out with your own math students.

1. Throw snowballs inside or out

Clip flash cards to plastic tubs, then challenge kids to throw the correct number of large white pom-poms (“snowballs”) in from a distance. If there’s snow on the ground, bundle up and take this one outside to use real snowballs!

Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

2. Stack sticks to practice tally marks

Small sticks are perfect for practicing tally marks. Kids will have fun checking the ground under trees for twigs, then breaking them into pieces and creating tally piles.

Learn more: @amysam623

3.

Fish for numbers

It’s so easy to make your own magnet fishing pole. Float some numbered foam fish with paper clips attached, then try to catch the numbers in the right order! (Don’t want to get wet? Just lay the fish on the ground instead.)

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Fishing Math

4. Draw and measure shapes on the sidewalk

First, give kids some sidewalk chalk and let them draw a variety of shapes, as big or small as they like. Then, arm them with measuring tapes and have them practice taking measurements.

Learn more: @playexploregrow

5. Stomp and smash on a number line

Grab some paper bags and number them, then shake them out and lay them in a number line. Now, call out an addition or subtraction problem, like 3 + 2. Have a student stomp on the bag labeled three, then on the next two to arrive at an answer of five. (Feeling brave? Try this one with balloons!)

Learn more: Schooltime Snippets

6.

Grow fact-family flowers

Pick up colorful fall leaves and write math facts on them. Gather them around a numbered rock to make pretty flowers.

Learn more: @discoverwildlearning

7. Toss beanbags to learn place value

Label bins with place values like ones, tens, and hundreds. Kids toss beanbags into the bins, then count them and see what number they’ve created.

Learn more: Saddle Up for Second Grade/Place Value Toss

8. Form paper-plate number bonds

Pass out numbered paper plates, then have students mix and mingle to see how many number bonds they can form.

Learn more: The Schroeder Page

9. Create a life-size number line

Number lines are wonderful for all sorts of math games and activities. Make one big enough for kids to stand and jump around on using sidewalk chalk (or painter’s tape indoors). You’ll use it over and over again.

Learn more: Childhood Beckons

10. Hit the target and graph

You can teach graphing in lots of ways, so why not make it active? Students throw balls onto a target, graphing and analyzing their throws as they go.

Learn more: Amy Lemons

11. Head out on a plot graph scavenger hunt

Create a map of your school, playground, or other area using graph paper (or even better, have kids help you do it). Then choose plot points for them to visit to find notes or small prizes. They’ll feel like real treasure hunters!

Learn more: Edventures With Kids

12. Roll the dice to count and move

Get practice with low-number counting and addition using action dice. Write activities like “jump,” “clap,” or “stomp” on a small wooden block, then roll it along with a pair of dice. Kids add them up (or subtract if you prefer) and complete the activity the number of times shown.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Math Dice

13. Whack a ball to subtract

You know your elementary math students are going to love this! Build your own whack-a-mole 10-frame with a shoebox and Ping-Pong balls. Then, have kids whack the balls to practice their subtraction facts. So fun!

Learn more: Planning Playtime

14. Make a splash with water balloons

You’re going to need to be willing to get a little wet for this one, but kids simply adore math games (or any games!) with water balloons. Fill and label balloons numbered 1 through 20 (or whatever numbers you’re working on). Draw the numbers in a big circle on the playground. Then, have a student choose a balloon, find the matching number, and head off to make a splash!

Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands

15. Tell time on a giant clock

Draw a giant clock face with hours and minutes on the playground with sidewalk chalk. Choose two students to be the hour and minute hands, then call out a time and send them out to become the clock. Add more complicated elements by having them add to or subtract from the initial time too. (“Now it’s 23 minutes later!”)

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Sidewalk Chalk Clock

16. Measure your frog jumps

Have your students hop like frogs, leap like gazelles, or jump like kangaroos. Then, pull out the ruler or measuring tape so they can measure the distances they’ve covered.

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

17. Jump to math facts practice

Lay out a grid like the one shown that has the answers to whatever set of math flash cards you’re currently working with. (This teacher used masking tape; you could also do sidewalk chalk on the playground.) Two players face off, one on each side of the board. Show the flash card, and kids race to be the first to jump to the correct square with both feet inside the lines. Get all the rules at the link below.

Learn more: Teaching and Tapas

18. Run a flash-card race

Tape a series of flash cards to the floor and challenge kids to see who can correctly make their way from start to finish the fastest. They can call out the answers or write them down, but they have to get it right before they move on. Kids can race side by side or work independently to beat their own best time.

Learn more: There’s Just One Mommy

19.

Catch a math beach ball

Beach balls are so much fun in the classroom. Scribble numbers all over one with a Sharpie, then toss it to a student. Wherever their thumbs land, they add (or subtract or multiply) those two numbers together before tossing the ball to the next student.

Learn more: Saddle Up for Second Grade/Beach Ball Math

20. Do a number dance

Kids who love “Dance Dance Revolution” will get into this one. Make a number mat for each student like the ones shown. Flash an equation with an answer between 10 and 99 on the screen. Kids figure out the answer and jump to put their left foot on the correct tens place, right foot on the ones. They’ll be dancing and spinning as they learn!

Learn more: Number Loving

21. Groove with angles

Teach kids about transversals and the angles they create with some fun dance moves! Get the details for “Dance Dance Transversal” at the link below.

Learn more: Communicating Mathematically

22.

Add and subtract by stacking cups

We’re not sure why, but kids simply love stacking cups. Label yours with math problems and answers, then have kids build pyramids and towers galore!

Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard

23. Measure the height of a tree (no ladder needed)

Kids will be amazed to learn they can measure the tallest tree while keeping their feet on the ground. The link below walks you through the steps with a free printable.

Learn more: From ABCs to ACTs

24. Count and learn on a nature walk

Take an outdoor stroll and practice basic math along the way. This works indoors too—walk the school hallways (quietly) and count doors, windows, posters, and more.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Math Walk

25. Hunt for shapes in the world around you

Looking for super-simple and fun active math games? Give students a sheet with shapes to find as you walk around the school or playground. Each time they find the shape, have them trace it on their worksheet and then make a mark to keep track of how many times they’ve seen it.

Learn more: Hands-On Teaching Ideas

26. Steal the balls with addition robbery

Kids compete to see whose basket of balls will add up to the highest amount. The trick? They don’t know at the beginning which balls are worth the most. Learn how to play at the link below.

Learn more: That After School Life

27. Puddle-jump from number to number

Lay out a series of construction paper puddles labeled with numbers. You can call out numbers and have kids jump to the correct one, or have them jump from one to the next in order forward or backward, or even try some skip counting.

Learn more: NurtureStore

28. Paint and hide number rocks

Painted rocks are always a big hit! Have your class help you make these, then hide them around the playground and send kids off to find and answer equations.

Learn more: The OT Toolbox

29. Skip-count along a hopscotch board

A hopscotch board can be used for a lot of fun and active math games. Try it for skip counting: Kids hop along counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, or whatever you’re currently working on. Learn more at the link below.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama/Skip-Counting Hopscotch

30. Aim and throw to practice math skills

Pick up a set of Sticky Darts and draw two dartboards side by side. You can label the rings with any numbers you like. Kids throw the darts and then add, subtract, multiply, or divide the numbers—your choice!

Learn more: Inspiration Labs

31. Design an outdoor board game

Draw a winding path and fill the spaces with math equations. Kids roll the dice and move from space to space (have them jump, skip, or twirl to mix things up). If they get the answer right, they move to the new space. If not, their turn is over. Customizable math games like this can be used at any level.

Learn more: Look! We’re Learning!

32. Turn UNO into an active math game

Grab your UNO deck and get ready to move! Assign each color a movement (hop, touch toes, etc.). As kids draw the cards, everyone completes the movement the correct number of times. Skip and Reverse work as usual, but anyone who gets Draw Two has to draw two more cards and complete the actions on their own while others cheer them on. See more at the link below.

Learn more: Still Playing School

33. Bowl them over while learning math facts

Active math games using recycled materials are economical and good for the environment. Set up empty plastic bottles labeled 1 through 10, then roll the ball to see how many you can knock down. Add up the numbers of the knocked-over bottles to get your score.

Learn more: Learn With Play at Home

34. Compete to win at putt-putt math

Pick up a few dollar-store supplies and make your own putt-putt course. This can be a simple game where kids simply shoot for the highest (or lowest) number. But you can also drive up the complexity by putting equations on the cups that kids have to solve first to determine which is the best cup to aim for.

Learn more: My Catch a Star Classroom!

35. Give a classic game a math twist

Create active math games that give new life to existing resources. For example, add numbers to Twister! For more advanced players, instead of saying “Right hand 5,” try saying “Right hand 14 – 9” to make them think.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama/Twister Math

If you like these active math games and are looking for more ways to move in the classroom, try these 21 Kinesthetic Reading Activities for your most active learners.

Plus, sign up for our free newsletters to get all the best teaching tips and ideas!

25 Fun & Creative Math Activities | Middle & High School Students

By: Virginia

| Feb 19, 2021 12:15 PM

If math is your student’s least favorite subject, everything from classes to homework to studying for quizzes and tests can be like pulling teeth.

But with an extra dose of creativity and fun, dread can turn to delight!

Like any challenging (and important) skill, mastering key math concepts takes practice; unfortunately, that can often look like a worksheet or some other list of tasks that feels more like a mental laundry list than a puzzle kids would be eager to solve.

This genre of practice can be necessary, don’t get me wrong, but if you could use a little help in giving math practice a makeover, we’ll need to step outside that box. The good news is: making math fun to learn for kids isn’t a mystery, and these ideas are simple to implement at home with elementary, middle, or high school students.

Here are 25 fun activities that will spice up your child’s learning routine and can help build community in the classroom, plus students will reap the benefits of “gamified” learning: increased motivation, engagement, and pure enjoyment of learning just for the sake of it.

More good news: reluctant and enthusiastic mathematicians alike will get a kick out of gamified learning. Take a look with your student, and pick out a few to try this week at home, in math club, and among friends.

Fun Math Activities for Elementary and Middle School Students

1. Play Math Tic-Tac-Toe

This handy resource adapts the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game for a range of skills and grade levels. Best for elementary and middle school students, this activity can be a quick brain break or an all-out challenge with a prize at stake.

2. Try the Exponent Battle Card Game

As the website cleverly describes this game, it “raises math fun to a higher power”! Kids will enjoy playing against parents, siblings, or friends, and they’ll have an extra incentive to master the exponents they’ll need for science and math class.

3. Explore math with Minecraft

Yes, you read that correctly! Minecraft has an incredible math educator’s guide that’s guaranteed to intrigue young gamers who could use an extra incentive to bolster their math skills. Learn more about the incredible educational applications of Minecraft.

4. Tackle Fantasy Football Equations

Though football season may be over, this activity is a creative one to stash away for the next draft. Algebraic equations can be challenging for many middle school students, and this sporting twist will not only make the practice more bearable, kids will get to see the (sometimes elusive) real-world application of what they’re learning.

And here is an expert tutorial if your student could use some extra help solving for x.

5. Roll Into a Subtraction Dice Game

This foundational skill becomes a lot more enjoyable in game form, and students will strengthen their mental math muscles as they play.

6. Slice Some Sandwich Fractions

Ideal for lunch time, kids will be extra-motivated to master proportions and fractions. Converting fractions into decimals, or vice versa? These tutorials will help your student convert the numbers in a trice.

7. Play Math Jeopardy

From averages to exponents to algebra, these pre-designed Jeopardy games will elevate study time and make review something to look forward to. Kids can compete with siblings or virtually with friends!

8. Pull Off an Order of Operations Heist

To crack the safe in this online game, students must correctly use the order of operations. Kids will need to know this to solve math problems, but as they master the skill, a reward like pulling off a heist is a useful motivator.

9. Have a Math Board Game Night

If you’re looking to revamp your family’s board game collection, why not infuse some fun with math? Proof!, Prime Climb, and Real World Math were each created by teachers and boast hundreds of rave reviews from parents.

10. Bring Math to the Grocery Store

Discounts, fractions, budgeting—there are so many mathematical applications when it comes to shopping for kids’ favorite foods. This activity can easily be done virtually through grocery delivery services or online shopping.

11. Battle in a Multiplication “War” Card Game

The game that has entertained kids for countless hours gets mathematical in this rapid fire edition of “War”.

12. Hit the Negative Number Piñata

Learning to add and subtract negative numbers can be tricky. So, to stave off student frustration, this game is a fun way to practice. Plus, this platform offers quick tutorial videos as well, just in case your student could use a refresher.

13. Chart a Graphed Scavenger Hunt

Who doesn’t love a great scavenger hunt? Not only would this make a great at-home (and outdoor) activity, kids will practice graphing coordinates and slopes in a hands-on way.

14. Shop for Algebraic Reasoning Sweets

A sweet introduction to algebraic thinking, this is one of many colorful games Math Playground offers. Players solve for the value of each candy in this online “sweet shop.”

15. Jump into Multiplication Hopscotch

Kinesthetic learning, or learning through movement, is a creative way to increase students’ engagement (and energy levels). If your student is learning to memorize multiplication tables and could use a break from paper and pencil, take a break outdoors with some chalk, and get moving!

16. Place Value with LEGO

Young learners mastering place value will benefit from the visual and kinesthetic aspects of exploring the concept with LEGO. This activity will work with just about any LEGO set you have on hand.

Fun Math Activities for High School Students

17. Launch into Space with Math & NASA

STEM worlds collide in NASA’s math series! This website offers activities for algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus paired with the innermost workings of space exploration.

18. Explore Statistics with Real-World Scenarios

This probably sounds familiar: when will I need to know this in real life? This range of expertly-designed activities provides valuable connections to practical scenarios that will satisfy even the most skeptical students.

19. Dance With a Transversal Geometry Game

Think of this fun activity as the antidote to the geometry doldrums. Kids can pick a soundtrack (or use one of the pre-made options), clear the room, and dance their way to knowing all about transversals.

Fun Math Activities for all Ages

20. Embark on an Interdisciplinary Project

Connecting new (and potentially dull) subject matter to an area of students’ interest is a well-known best practice in education. This resource provides some excellent interdisciplinary projects that blend math skills with art, history, fascinating places around the world, and more.

21. Set Sail with a Quadratic Equation Shipwreck

If your student is just getting the hang of quadratic equations (or perhaps brushing up for a quiz), this game is a creative way to practice.

22. Plan a Pi Day Extravaganza

Pi Day, March 14th, is just around the corner, so why not make it a celebration of this all-important number! Check out these elementary and middle school activities, fun games and puzzles for all ages, high school activities, and pi card race to make the day memorable and bring smiles back into the equation.

23. Solve a KenKen Puzzle

This game was called “the most addictive math game since Sudoku” by New York Times games editor, a winning testimonial if ever we’ve heard one. KenKen puzzles are a great way to practice mental math or do a warm up before tackling more complex problems.

24. Play Trigonometry Mini Golf

Upper middle school and high school students will enjoy seeing trigonometry in action in a familiar pastime and in other real-world applications of math concepts. Each activity is interactive and includes short videos and tutorials to give each game context.

25. Learn How to Locate People Lost at Sea

This investigation answers the question: how does the Coast Guard find and rescue those lost in the vast ocean? Turns out, statistical skills are key to these missions. Kids can learn about how they work and have another great answer to the question “why is math important”?

Have Fun with Math Today!

Let us know how your explorations turn out. Looking for a little extra help? iD Tech offers live online math tutoring to help your student succeed and thrive in the classroom.

Options include:

Pre-algebra tutoring

Algebra I tutoring

Algebra II tutoring

Online geometry tutoring

Precalc tutoring

Calculus tutoring

Trigonometry tutoring

Plus, our math tips & resources page offers tutorials and more to level up your child’s math game.

interesting math problems and assignments

Ideas for parents and teachers, examples of fun math activities. fun tasks,
puzzles, exercises and tests with answers and solutions.

Try classes on the LogicLike website!

Choose an age to start

4-5 years

6-7 years

1-2 class

3-5 class

6-9 grade

15+ for myself

The benefits of studying logic and mathematics

Elementary mathematical representations help to form in kindergarten. Basic
Mathematical abilities are developed at school.

And so that the child learns to reason logically, to think outside the box – ordinary
arithmetic and geometric problems are not enough.

Already at preschool age, it is desirable to develop the habit of daily tasks and
exercises for the development of logical thinking.

Thanks to regular training:

the child learns to reason, analyze and do the right things.
conclusions;
develops intelligence, memory, attention and intelligence;
success increases self-esteem, interest in learning at school,
inspire to win in mathematical olympiads and competitions.

Math problems by age

It is easiest to interest preschoolers 5-7 years old, primary school students. Main –
offer a variety of entertaining tasks, make the process of solving problems exciting, with
elements of the game, and provide a moderate difficulty of the tasks.

Examples of tasks by age

Logic for
children 5-6 years old
Logic for
children 6-7 years old
Mathematics for
preschoolers
1st class
2 class
3 class
4
class

ALL LOGIC IN GAME FORM!

Flexible mind
and confidence When children decide
tasks and puzzles on LogicLike, they develop ingenuity and
Confidence in your strength.
Foundation
for IT
We teach how to work with information competently, develop
logical and mathematical intelligence, memory and thinking.
Sip
“fresh air”
You can spend 20-30 minutes on yourself while the child develops.
By the way, doing LogicLike is also interesting for adults.

Start classes!

Children aged 5-12 enjoy going
LogicLike course in game form. In the meantime, they learn to reason
develop logic, ability to mathematics and cognitive interest.

By grades 3-4, a student’s motivation often decreases. It is important for parents not to miss this moment and
explain to the child why to do it at all
mathematics and learn to solve problems.

Logic and Math Examples

for
preschoolers
for
first graders
examples for 2
class
for class 3
for class 4
examples for 5
class

Logic-mathematical and other educational games by age

45 years

Entertaining tasks by type

In terms of regular training at any age, there should be at least 5-7 types of tasks.
This will help the complex development of the child’s logic, cognitive, creative and mathematical skills.
abilities.

Among the most interesting and popular categories of tasks for logic and ingenuity:

Classic logic problems. Teaching children
analyze the text, highlight the main thing, reason and draw conclusions.
Arithmetic puzzles. Excellent performance of key
mental operations: abstraction, analysis and synthesis, comparison and others.
Tasks on regularities, sequences.
Helps develop analytical skills and creative thinking.

Examples of tasks by type

Logic tasks

Math puzzles

Search tasks
patterns

Truth and lie

Find the extra in each
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magic squares

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for beginners

Riddles for logic

Puzzles with matches,
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Puzzles with letters
and numbers

Connect to LogicLike!

More than 150,000 children from all over the world are already
doing logic online. 3500+ tasks with answers and explanations

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Scenario of mathematical entertainment “Merry Math!” for the middle group | Plan-summary of the lesson in mathematics (middle group):

As part of the Week of Mind Games, the entertainment “Merry Math” was held in the middle group. In an interesting game form, the children consolidated mathematical concepts.

Mathematical entertainment scenario “Merry Math!” for the middle group

The goal of is to give children joy and pleasure from entertainment . To develop an interest in intellectual activity, a desire to play games with mathematical content , to cultivate a sense of mutual assistance.

Presenter : Hello guys! How nice to see you so smart and cheerful. Our holiday is called “Merry Math!” . I wonder why it’s called that?

Children’s answers (Because we learned numbers and numbers up to 5)

Presenter : Well done! You are absolutely right, the holiday is called so because we learned numbers and numbers up to 5, we can count objects , put the numbers in order.

Fizminutka “We count ”

Once – we got up, straightened up.

Two – bent over, bent over.

Three – three hands claps.

And four – under the sides.

Five – wave your hands.

We love counting very much!

King Mathematicians : Hello! You were waiting for me? I am the King Mathematicians . I come to kind guys, cheerful, and also to those who love mathematics . Do you love? Well, now let’s test your knowledge.

Leader. But to start our quiz you must split into two teams. And game “Find your house” will help us with this.

Each participant takes one of the figures from the tray – a triangle or a circle. To the music they move freely at group , and at the end of the music they need to take their place next to the identification mark corresponding to their figure

1 task “Geometric shapes” .

– Oh, guys, look, we have guests, and who they are, we will find out if we guess riddles.

A wheel has rolled,

After all, it is similar,

Like a visual nature

Only for a round figure.

Guessed, dear friend?

Well, of course it is … (circle)

***

Look at the figure

And draw in the album

Three corners. Three sides

Interconnect.

The result is not a square,

But a beautiful … (triangle)

***

I am a figure – no matter where,

Always very even,

All angles in me are 900 03

And four sides.

Cube is my favorite brother,

Because I…. (square)

***

We stretched the square

And presented at a glance,

Who did he look like

Or with something very similar?

Not a brick, not a triangle –

Became a square … (rectangle) .

2. Game . This game is called Living Numbers . To the music, the children line up in the correct number row. On the table you need to take sheets with numbers. Children choose numbers for themselves from 1 to 5. And you need to line up in a row in order. If, for example, there are two units, you need to become side by side with them.

3 Job.

Please guess mathematical riddles :

1. How many suns are there in the sky? (One)

2. How many eyes does an elephant have? (Two)

3. How many days are there in a week? (Seven)

4. What is lighter than a bag of cotton wool or a bag of sugar? (A bag of cotton wool)

5. How many colors does the rainbow have? (Seven)

6. How many seasons are there? (Four)

7. How many eyes does a traffic light have? (Three)

4. Game “Finish the sentence”

-I will start, and you will finish the sentences :

-We have breakfast in the morning, and we have dinner. (evening) .

We sleep at night and do exercises. (morning) .

The sun shines during the day, but the moon. (at night) .

We have supper in the evening and lunch. (daytime) .

– All parts of the day follow each other in order. How many parts are there in a day? (four) .

Presenter : I will now check how attentive you are . I will

ask you questions, and you will answer in chorus : “I” , just be

very attentive and smart .

– Who loves marmalade?

– Who loves chocolate?

– Who likes pears?

– Who eats sushi?

– Who doesn’t wash their ears?

– Who likes kvass?

– Who loves pineapple?

– Who is not afraid of mice?

– Who has a pack of pencils?

– Who likes to make things?

– Who likes to talk?

– Who loves an orange?

Who drinks gasoline?