Best Educational Math Games for Kids
Top Activities Improve Geometry, Computation, and Logic Skills
There are many reasons to get children to try these popular classic games. Whether the goal is to entice the kids away from the TV, ward off boredom, or spend more quality time together, these top board games are interactive as well as educational. Play one of these fun classic kids’ games that are readily available at local toy stores or online.
Preschool Math Games
Chutes and Ladders (For ages 3 - 6). Teach youngsters how to count with this fun numbered board game that also shows children about cause and effect. This classic game that has been around for many years is a great first game for preschoolers who can count to at least six. Players use a spinner and move their pieces along the board. The first to reach 100 wins!
Bingo (For ages 4 and up). Another game that teaches number and letter recognition as well as simple grid structure, bingo is usually a crowd pleaser and preschoolers will delight in picking the balls and calling out the letter-number combinations. It is a great game for large groups of children.
Thomas & Friends Number Game (For ages 3 - 7). This is a multi-award winning preschool game based on the popular children’s character and stories. Beginners can learn their numbers, and more advanced players can also use the spinner and enhance their addition abilities.
Kindergarten and Elementary Math Games
Cadaco 4-Way Countdown (For ages 5 and up). Younger children can use this game to count and older kids can multiply and divide. In all cases, players will actually enjoy themselves while doing math! Two dice are rolled and the numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided. Once a numerical answer is chosen, a matching lever is turned over. The first player to turn over all their numbered levers wins. Two exceptions to the simple rules keep the game exciting throughout.
Blokus (For ages 5 and up). Individual players place geometric shapes of different colors on a large grid in this award winning and very popular game that is entertaining for kids and adults alike. The goal is to use as many pieces as possible before becoming blocked by the other opponents. Each piece is worth a certain number of points, which are tallied up at the end of the game to determine a winner.
Rush Hour Jr. and Rush Hour (For ages 6 - 8 and ages 8 to adult, respectively). Follow patterned cards and try to rescue the ice cream truck from a maze by moving the other vehicles around accordingly. Rush Hour Jr. has easier patterns than the classic Rush Hour. This is the perfect game for puzzle lovers.
Battleship (For ages 7 and up). Battleship teaches the concept of grids and patterns. A game for only two players, Battleship is fast-paced. Players place five ships in a pattern on their own grids that are hidden from view. Then, each tries to guess where his/her opponent’s ships are by announcing grid coordinates until all ships are found.
It is worth keeping educational games on hand for bad weather days, teacher workshops, and school vacations. The kids won’t even know that their math skills are improving while they are enjoying valuable and interactive family (or friend) time. Any of these popular classics can turn difficult math concepts into a game!
Need more math game ideas? Read the following articles for additional creative math game tips: Fun Math Activities for Preschoolers, Spooky Halloween Math Games, and Holiday Math Ideas for Young Children.
Battleship Game for Elementary Kids
|
Chutes and Ladders Classic Preschool Board Game
|
Blokus Board Game for Geometry Skills
|
Bingo Game Great Preschool Math Skill Activity
|
What do you think about this article?
Comments
More in Partners & Parents
Latest Articles