Math Game Monday: Odd–Even–Prime Race

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game challenges upper-elementary and middle school students to practice strategy and mental math as they race across a number chart.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Odd–Even–Prime Race

Math Concepts: addition, subtraction, multiplication, odd and even, prime and composite numbers, strategic thinking.

Players: two or more.

Equipment: printed hundred chart of your choice, 2 six-sided dice, small toy or token for each player.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Odd–Even–Prime Race

Math Game Monday: Blockout

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

In this game, players practice multiplication facts and use strategic planning as they build 2-D shapes to block their opponent.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Blockout

Math Concepts: multiplication, area, 2-D shapes.

Players: two players.

Equipment: square graph paper (lined or dotty).

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Blockout

Math Game Monday: Domino Fraction War

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game offers upper-elementary and middle school students plenty of practice doing estimation and mental math with fractions.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Domino Fraction War

Math Concepts: proper fractions, comparing fractions.

Players: two or more.

Equipment: one set of double-six or double-nine dominoes.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Domino Fraction War

Math Game Monday: Nine Cards

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game helps young children build mental math skills. And it’s fun for older kids or adults to play along!

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Nine Cards

Math Concepts: addition, number bonds for ten.

Players: two or more.

Equipment: one deck of playing cards, face cards and jokers removed.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Nine Cards

Math Game Monday: Hidden Hexagon

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game offers a fun twist on the old classic Battleship. Can you discover your opponent’s secret shape before they find yours?

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Hidden Hexagon

Math Concepts: coordinate graphing (first quadrant), simple linear equations, irregular polygons.

Players: two players or two teams.

Equipment: printed gameboard or square grid paper for each player, pencils, ruler or other straightedge.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Hidden Hexagon

Math Game Monday: Dollar Derby

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This simple counting game helps children grow comfortable with 2-digit numbers and learn the value of coins.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Dollar Derby

Math Concepts: counting, addition, coin value.

Players: two or more.

Equipment: printed hundred charts, six-sided dice, and a large pile of assorted coins.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Dollar Derby

Math Game Monday: Ben Orlin’s Row Call

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game is simple to learn, allowing kids to focus on their strategic thinking. Then ask your students to invent their own tic-tac-toe variation.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Ben Orlin’s Row Call

Math Concepts: Logic and strategic thinking.

Players: only two.

Equipment: pen and paper.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Ben Orlin’s Row Call

Math Game Monday: Cross-Twenties

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
Learn a new math game every week, for free

This game gives young children practice adding numbers within twenty. And it’s great strategic fun for all ages!

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children.

And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

Cross-Twenties

Math Concepts: addition to twenty, thinking ahead.

Players: two or more.

Equipment: two decks of playing cards (face cards removed), six tokens per player.

Continue reading Math Game Monday: Cross-Twenties

Playing to Learn

Posted on by Denise Gaskins
quotation from Dan Finkel

“Play and rigor support each other.

    “When students are invited to play with math, they learn more deeply, more robustly, and remember more consistently.

      “Play is promoted as something that can engage kids and give them a more positive attitude about school, but it’s easy to assume that it’s not useful for learning, when in reality the opposite is true:

        “The student who is playing tends to be the student who is learning most deeply.”

        —Dan Finkel, Math for Love newsletter

        Playful Math for the Summer

        Posted on by Denise Gaskins
        playful dog at the beach

        I continue to dig myself out of the avalanche of tasks that built up during the years that I spent mostly down south with my mom as she was weakening.

        But here are two tidbits of mathy fun that came across my desk recently, which I think you’ll enjoy…

        Numberhive Place Value

        I think I’ve mentioned before how much I love the Numberhive game. They recently posted a series of print-and-play freebies for their new place value variation.

        DiceCulus Core Game — Mini PnP

        This cool-looking game is in prelaunch on the crowdfunding site Gamefound, but the creator has posted a free Mini Print & Play version you can download now, suitable for prealgebra and up. (The full game will have multiple variations, including a preschool level.)

        Math Journaling and Games

        Finally, the Math Journaling Adventures books and kids’ gear are now live in my store, and all my math game books are still on sale through the month of June.

        Have fun playing math with your kids!

         
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        Are you looking for more creative ways to play math with your kids? Join my free email newsletter.

        This blog is reader-supported. If you’d like to help fund the blog on an on-going basis, then please join me on Patreon for mathy inspiration, tips, and an ever-growing archive of printable activities.

        “Playful Math for the Summer” copyright © 2025 by Denise Gaskins. Image at the top of the post copyright © damedeeso / Depositphotos.