The Secret of the Pharaoh’s Treasure

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
caravan in Egyptian desert

“I am inclined to believe that one of the origins of mathematics is man’s playful nature, and for this reason mathematics is not only a Science, but to at least the same extent also an Art.”

—Rózsa Péter

This week, we have the first mathematical adventure of Alexandria Jones, which takes place in the early days of her father’s archaeological expedition mentioned in the introduction post.

Herein we meet the one major character who is not named after a mathematician from history: Alex’s nemesis, Simon Skulk.

While my fiction doesn’t rise close to the level of “art,” I hope it offers a glimpse into the playful nature of mathematics for you and your children.

Continue reading The Secret of the Pharaoh’s Treasure

Make Your Own Nim Games

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
tower of rocks on a beach

Nim is a pure strategy game for two players. On each turn, players remove an option until finally no choice remains.

Game options might include:

  • How many stones to take from a pile.
  • Which position to claim on a gameboard.
  • How far to count in a given sequence.

The rules can vary at the players’ whim (as long as both players agree). How many possibilities do you start with, what are the rules for removing options, and how do you win or lose the game? Everything is open to change. And with every tweak, players must reanalyze their strategy.

Continue reading Make Your Own Nim Games

Math Journal: Three Quick Number Games

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
photo of family playing a dice game

Math Journaling Adventures Kickstarter projectHere are three quick math games you can fit in whenever you have a few minutes’ free time. Have fun playing math with your kids!

And if you enjoy these games, check out my Math Journaling Adventures project to discover how similar playful writing activities can help your students learn mathematics. Preorder your books today!

Continue reading Math Journal: Three Quick Number Games

Puzzle: Henry Dudeney’s Pebble Game

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
photo of girl playing with pebbles on the beach

English mathematician and puzzle-meister Henry Ernest Dudeney once wrote:

“It may be said generally that a game is a contest of skill for two or more persons, into which we enter either for amusement or to win a prize. A puzzle is something to be done or solved by the individual.

    “The example that I give here is apparently a game, but, as in every case one player may win if he only play correctly, it is in reality a puzzle. The interest, therefore, lies in attempting to discover the leading method of play.”

    Below is the puzzle game as Dudeney explained it.

    Play it for fun at first, then see if you can solve the puzzle.

    Continue reading Puzzle: Henry Dudeney’s Pebble Game

    Gratis Games and Playful Math News

    Posted on by Denise Gaskins

    Get your free copy today!
    Do you want to help your children learn math?

    Teach them to play.

    Grab a free copy of my Let’s Play Math Sampler: 10 Family-Favorite Games for Learning Math Through Play, which contains short excerpts from my most popular titles. It’s a great way to get started with playful math. 😍

    As a bonus, I’ll add you to my Playful Math News email subscription and send you monthly tips and activity ideas for playing math with your kids.

    From time to time, I’ll even throw in a free sample of whatever I’ve been working on — an early draft of something that will eventually show up in one of my books or printable activity guides.

    For example, check out this fun freebie I sent last April:

    Don’t miss out on all this mathy goodness. Sign up today!

    Get the Games Book Now

    Math Games Kickstarter: It Keeps Getting Better

    Posted on by Denise Gaskins
    Friends playing math games

    Did you know that, with our recent stretch goals, the Tabletop Math Games Kickstarter now features more than 90 amazing ways to play math with your kids?

    And every pledge pushes us closer to the next new bonus, which means more new games and playful math goodies for every backer.

    Don’t miss out on the excitement. Order your copy today:

    Visit the Math Games Kickstarter ❱

    How Are These Books Different?

    I love how the challenge of a well-fought math game pushes players of all ages to think more creatively and build fluency.

    So my Tabletop Math Games Collection is designed to make it easier than ever for busy families and over-stressed teachers to play with math.

    All you need are common household supplies like cards, dice, and scratch paper. Children can open a Tabletop Math Games Collection book to any page and start playing right away, and the digital files make great classroom handouts or learning center games.

    Continue reading Math Games Kickstarter: It Keeps Getting Better

    What’s So Special About Math Games?

    Posted on by Denise Gaskins
    Family playing math game with dominoes

    To everyone who has supported my Tabletop Math Games Collection Kickstarter project: thank you ever so much! We’ve blown past our funding target and made it into Stretch Goal territory.

    Now every pledge just makes the project better, earning new games and bonuses for every backer at the $5 level and above.

    If you haven’t backed the project yet, check out what you’re missing:

    Visit the Kickstarter ❯

    Math games build mental flexibility and strategic reasoning in players of all ages. And even people who hated math in school can enjoy the friendly challenge of a game.

    I love how the challenge of a well-fought math game pushes players of all ages to think more creatively and build fluency.

    Continue reading What’s So Special About Math Games?