At Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, we’re big fans of “learning disguised as fun.” That is, offering activities that kids actually enjoy but that also help them develop new skills and reinforce emerging competencies. Having fun while learning also helps students retain information better because the process is enjoyable and memorable.
With the current health environment, and schools going back to online distance learning for students, we’ve compiled a list of fun math activities you can do at home to help build your child’s math skills. Math enables children to better understand the world around them. Through little activities, such as the ones listed below, you can build fun memories with your child, as well as help reinforce math skills he or she is learning in school. These activities are fun, simple, and inexpensive. Most of the materials listed can be found at your local dollar store.
Here are some fun, at-home activities you can do with your child to promote early math literacy.
Snowball Math Games
Materials needed: Plastic bowls or buckets, pom-poms or foam balls, and index cards.
This game is perfect for the active child. In this game, players drop the correct number of “snowballs” into the bucket to answer an addition or subtraction equation. Can you beat the clock? Click here to learn more.
How Many Am I Hiding?
Materials needed: Anything you can count and hide under your hand! Some of our favorites include rice, fake bugs, candy, and fruit snacks.
“How Many Am I Hiding” is a great game to help students practice simple subtraction. Start by showing your child a certain number of items. Hide one item under your hand and ask, “What if I hide one under my hand? How many can you see?” Repeat this until all of the objects are hidden under your hand. Click here to learn more.
Geometric Shape Games
Materials needed: Paper or foam, Popsicle sticks, paper or foam numbers, and glue.
These games are great for introducing students to shapes. Some examples include naming the shape and counting the number of sides, and discovering where these shapes exist in your home, neighborhood, or local stores. Click here to learn more.
Sweet Math
Materials needed: A bag of Hershey Kisses and a pen or marker.
This activity is great for counting, and there’s a little reward at the end. Number the bottom of the Hershey Kisses 1-100, and hide them throughout the room or house. Once they have all been found, have your child put them in numerical order. Click here to learn more.
3rd Grade Fractions
Materials needed: Markers, paper, scissors, and glue.
Fractions are fun with lessons like “Fraction Sundae.” Click this link to peruse a collection of fraction themed activities.
3rd Grade Multiplication
Materials needed: A Computer or Tablet.
Click here to access online multiplication games with a variety of themes.
2nd Grade Race To Make A Dollar
Materials needed: Assorted coins.
In pairs, players take turns collecting and trading coins in a race to make a dollar. Click here to learn more.
1st Grade Race To Fill The Cup
Materials needed: Cups, marbles or faux stones, and a die.
In this game, 2 to 4 players are in a race to fill their cups with marbles after rolling a die. Click here to learn more.
Fun Multiplication Games
Materials needed: Paper and pencil.
Click here for a printable bundle that is a fun and effective way to master multiplication. Lessons include “Multiplication Watches” and “Spin, Solve, and Color.”
In addition to these programs, the internet is a great resource for additional educational games to play at home with your children. We hope you enjoy these activities! Let us know which ones you try or if there are any other math games you enjoy.