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Cool Math Games

Cool math games are a fun way to enhance comprehension of math concepts and develop new math skills. We show you step by step how to use hands-on activities and math manipulatives. Be sure to see our information at the bottom of the page on how to make math stations and play competitive games.

Check Out Our List of Cool Math Games and Activities

Hands-on activities improve math skills.

Our Addition Games

We have a list of over 20 ADDITION GAMES AND ACTIVITIES from simplest to more complex. Use hands-on objects and manipulatives to boost addition skills.

Our Subtraction Games

Here are over a dozen SUBTRACTION GAMES AND ACTIVITIES from simplest to more complex. Subtraction makes more sense when different problems can be seen with different manipulatives.

Our Multiplication Games

Here are over a dozen MULTIPLICATION GAMES AND ACTIVITIES from simplest to more complex. A variety of hands-on activities and manipulatives demonstrate different aspects of multiplication.

Commercially Made Games

We have chosen some of the best cool math games you can buy to practice and reinforce math skills.

Coming Soon
Check back for activities with division.

Best On-Line Math Games

I'm not a big fan of electronic sounds and computer games, but this game made it onto our computer screen and definitely caught our son's attention. Timez Attack has a little creature running around a castle dungeon solving multiplication problems. For some reason, our son found it a little more exciting than having mom quiz him with flashcards. We have to put on the timer to tell him to stop playing the game. What I particularly like is the free version is - well - free. I will admit after a few weeks I forked over the money for the upgrade so we could go to the lava land. Now, I am happy to recommend them as an affiliate. Timez Attack Math Game.

Using Math Activities As A Game

On these pages I have listed numerous hands-on activities to demonstrate math concepts. All of these can be done as non-competitive activites to visualize the concept. They can also be modified as a competitive game.

What is the value of competition?

Some children find it motivates them to "study" their math facts so they can win.
Competitive games are fun for many students.
They provide a change of pace.
Allows two or more students to work together.

Some children seem to be inherently more competitive than others. Be aware that some students find competition de-motivating and intimidating. Obviously, for these students you would want to do the activities in a non-competitive manner.

How to Make A Game

There are several variations, but the basic strategy is a right answer earns a "point." At the end, the player with the most points wins.

Variations

Time the game. For each point, mark a tally mark on a sheet of paper. At the end of the time, the one with the most points wins.
Or, whoever gets to five or ten points first wins.
You can give tokens instead of tally marks. Tokens can include: pennies, beads, build a tower with blocks, etc.
You can make a game board, and each correct answer allows you to move your marker one space.

I like to use Math Stations (below) as a non-competitive way of reviewing old math concepts and learning new ones with hands-on manipulatives.

Math Stations: The Best Way To Use Cool Math Games and Activities

We recommend using math stations as a hands-on way to learn and reinforce math. It takes a little time to set up, and about 10 - 20 minutes a day for the student to complete. But the investment in time is worth it.

Why Math Stations?
Elementary aged children are learning multiple concepts at one time. For instance, a 1st grade child may be at the following level:

Counting by 5's
Learning to add two digit numbers without regrouping (ie 12 + 3; 24 + 5 etc.)
Subtacting one digit numbers (9 - 5; 8 - 3; etc)
Telling time on the hour and half hour

Math stations provides hands-on practice introducing new concepts and reinforcing old ones in only a few minutes a day.

How Does It Work?
Picture a kitchen table with a set of math manipulatives and activities at five different places.

The child goes to the first station, does a simple activity that introduces or reinforces a concept. They will repeat the activity a few times. Then they move to the next activity.

The stations may contain commercially prepared manipulatives and games. Most of them you can make yourself.

How many games and activities are there for each child?
You may have 10 to 20 different activities in your current repertoire for your child. On a given day, you may use only three to five of these.

Variety is the spice of life. Using multiple cool math games will increase comprehension and retention of facts.

Teaching Money Skills

Trying to teach children the value of money? Debbie has provided some ideas on money activities on her www.Teaching-Money-Skills.com website. Forget the plastic stuff and let children manipulate the real coins.

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