7 Game Ideas to Make Math Fun
Most find math intimidating and confusing, making learning math challenging for them. However, math can be fun, too. Teachers and tutors only need to make their math learning sessions more engaging and worthy of looking-forward-to. Here are seven game ideas to make math fun and exciting.
For Kinder
1. Fish-for-Numbers
Here’s an excellent introductory math for kindergarten. This game develops preschoolers’ number recognition. You can improvise several fishing poles with magnets attached to the end of the line. Cut out colorful fish shapes from foam and add paper clips for the magnet to stick to. Add numbers in the foam fish and let them float in a makeshift pond. If you worry about getting youngsters wet, you can skip the watery vessel.
2. Subtraction Bowling
Young kids love rolling a ball and knocking things down. This modified bowling game for tots solidifies subtraction concepts. You have ten improvised bowling pins (i.e., plastic bottles or used tissue roll boards). Give kids a plastic bowling ball and let them knock as many pins as they can. Ask them how many pins remain with each throw.
For Elementary to Middle School
3. Action Math
Combining physical activity with math is always fun. You will need two ordinary dies and an improvised “action” die. Write “actions” (i.e., jump, hop, turn around, and more) on the die. Have your learners take turns throwing the dice. You can ask them to subtract or add the numbered dice and perform the required action. For example, suppose a child rolled “2,” “3,” and “jump.” In that case, the learner must “jump five times (2+3) or once (3-2).
4. Math Bingo
Preparing for this game can be tedious, but the joy in your learners’ eyes will be worth it. Create as many simple math problems as you can and make as many Bingo cards as possible. Place the math problems in a fish bowl and draw one. For example, two plus three is? Your learners will have to cross out the answer in their Bingo card if it is there. The first student to accomplish a pattern wins.
5. One-Meter Dash
This game is excellent for strengthening students’ understanding and appreciation of measurements. Group your learners into threes and ask them to look for up to four objects in the classroom that will be one meter long when put together. Give them two minutes for this. Next, ask them to lay their chosen items on their desks and measure the overall length with a meter stick. The group with objects closest to a meter wins.
For Senior High School
6. Math and NASA
You can login to NASA’s Exploring Space Through Math Portal and use the resources to complement your students’ pre-calculus, geometry, and algebra topics. Although it is not as fun as the others in this list, introducing your learners to these concepts will help them appreciate the value of space exploration.
7. Real-world Statistical Scenarios
Statistics can be challenging to teach. You can make it more fun by developing learning activities grounded on real-life scenarios. The government, health care industry, educational institutions, commercial establishments, and the scientific community can offer many opportunities for statistics applications. Your learners can even apply their statistical knowledge on social media.
Although most find it intimidating, math exists in everyday life. Teachers and tutors can make this subject less “overwhelming” by introducing concepts in a fun, interactive, and engaging manner.
References
https://happynumbers.com/blog/16-Classroom-Math-Games-for-Learning-and-Fun/
https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/classroom-math-games-for-kids/
https://www.weareteachers.com/active-math-games/
https://www.weareteachers.com/kindergarten-math-games/
https://www.idtech.com/blog/ways-to-make-math-more-fun-engaging
