Fun with maths activities

7 Classroom Math Activities That Will Make Math Engaging and Fun

Back to Articles

Fun, hands‑on math games are a great way to make early math concepts clear and keep your students engaged.

Introducing math games into the classroom is a great way to make learning fun, engaging and motivating for young learners.

And the best part about starting early (kindergarten to grade 2) is that it helps your students to develop a positive attitude toward math from an early age, setting them up for a successful academic future.

Here are some fun classroom math activities that will have your students begging to do more.

Math Bingo

This math game is sure to become a fast favorite with your students. You can choose whatever skill you want to review, such as addition, subtraction, or number sequencing. The game works just like regular bingo, except students have to solve math problems in order to know what number to mark off of their sheet.

To prepare, make a list of 25 math problems (e.g. 2+1, 3–0, or 2, 4, 6, _ ). Write the answers on the same sheet of paper.

Create your own 5x5 bingo cards or generate them online. At random, write the answers on the cards using the solutions from your list. There should be a bingo card for each student playing. You can laminate the cards to use for next time and have students place pennies or rocks to mark their answers.

Make a paper plate clock

Are your students learning to tell time this year? This hands‑on craft activity is a fantastic way to practice this important skill.

Start with a paper plate and make a small hole at the center. Students should write the numbers in the correct places. Using colored paper, they can then cut the clock hands to the right size and secure them using a split pin from the center. You can even use a second plate (different color) for students to write the minutes. Glue the second plate to the bottom of the first so that it creates a rim.

Guess the weight

Children love playing guessing games, and when it comes to whether something is heavy or light, there can certainly be a few surprises in store for them.

Gather several items and spread them across a table. One at a time, ask students to guess the weight of each item and write their predictions in one column on a page (you can create a simple template for this too). Using kitchen scales, invite individual students to weigh each item and record the correct answers in a second column. You can also add a column in between and pass each item around the class, so students can guess the weight after holding each in their hand.

Hopscotch math

This game is a great way to get your students outside on a nice sunny day. Using a piece of chalk, draw a hopscotch grid on the pavement mimicking a calculator layout. Ask students to form a line and one by one, give them a simple operation (e.g. 2+3, 5–0). Students should take turns hopping on each element of the equation in the correct order, landing finally on the answer.

In another game, you can call out a number and ask students to hop on any equation that equals to that number. For a fun twist, ask students to hop on one leg for odd numbers, and two legs for even numbers.

Hopscotch math is a fun activity which helps students to practice simple operations.

Pizza fractions

Fractions can be tricky, so this activity can really help students to visualize key concepts. Create an instruction sheet with five different fractions on each (you can create several so different students get a different set). Students should create a pizza (using construction paper, or even the inside of an empty pizza box) and decorate the toppings to represent each fraction.

For example, if they had a quarter (fourth), they should cover one-quarter of the pizza with a specific ingredient (e.g. mushrooms or pepperoni).

'Lengthy' scavenger hunt

Divide students into groups and give each group a list of measurements and a measuring tool (e.g. a ruler, tape, trundle wheel). Instruct students to find items that are exactly the length of what they have listed. For younger students who haven't yet been introduced to measurement, draw various lines on their sheet and ask them to find items that are exactly the same length.

Make sure you prepare items beforehand and place them in a safe and visible spot. This activity can be done outside or in the classroom.

Survey and graph

Ask each student to think of a question they’d like to survey their fellow classmates on. For example, they might like to ask their classmates what their favorite animal is out of a dog, monkey, pig, or chicken. Give students time to walk around the classroom quizzing each other and recording their data.

Once students have collected enough data, ask them to represent their results by building a bar graph using linking cubes, blocks, or Legos. They can use sticky notes or bits of paper to create labels above each bar. Take a photo of each student's graph, which you can later print out to create a class collage to display.

Looking for new ways to make elementary math fun? Mathseeds is a research-based online math program specifically designed for students in grades K–2. Created by a highly experienced team of elementary teachers, Mathseeds provides self-paced lessons, fun games, automated reporting, and a range of teaching tools to help your elementary math students succeed. Sign up for a free trial today.

35 Active Math Games and Activities for Kids Who Love To Move

Tired of hearing groans when you announce it’s time for math? These active math games and activities will spice up your learning game. They get kids up and moving, using their whole bodies to learn facts and skills. Lots of these ideas can be adapted to suit a variety of math concepts, so choose a few to try out with your own math students.

1. Throw snowballs inside or out

Clip flash cards to plastic tubs, then challenge kids to throw the correct number of large white pom-poms (“snowballs”) in from a distance. If there’s snow on the ground, bundle up and take this one outside to use real snowballs!

Learn more: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

2. Stack sticks to practice tally marks

Small sticks are perfect for practicing tally marks. Kids will have fun checking the ground under trees for twigs, then breaking them into pieces and creating tally piles.

Learn more: @amysam623

3. Fish for numbers

It’s so easy to make your own magnet fishing pole. Float some numbered foam fish with paper clips attached, then try to catch the numbers in the right order! (Don’t want to get wet? Just lay the fish on the ground instead.)

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Fishing Math

4. Draw and measure shapes on the sidewalk

First, give kids some sidewalk chalk and let them draw a variety of shapes, as big or small as they like. Then, arm them with measuring tapes and have them practice taking measurements.

Learn more: @playexploregrow

5. Stomp and smash on a number line

Grab some paper bags and number them, then shake them out and lay them in a number line. Now, call out an addition or subtraction problem, like 3 + 2. Have a student stomp on the bag labeled three, then on the next two to arrive at an answer of five. (Feeling brave? Try this one with balloons!)

Learn more: Schooltime Snippets

6. Grow fact-family flowers

Pick up colorful fall leaves and write math facts on them. Gather them around a numbered rock to make pretty flowers.

Learn more: @discoverwildlearning

7. Toss beanbags to learn place value

Label bins with place values like ones, tens, and hundreds. Kids toss beanbags into the bins, then count them and see what number they’ve created.

Learn more: Saddle Up for Second Grade/Place Value Toss

8. Form paper-plate number bonds

Pass out numbered paper plates, then have students mix and mingle to see how many number bonds they can form.

Learn more: The Schroeder Page

9. Create a life-size number line

Number lines are wonderful for all sorts of math games and activities. Make one big enough for kids to stand and jump around on using sidewalk chalk (or painter’s tape indoors). You’ll use it over and over again.

Learn more: Childhood Beckons

10. Hit the target and graph

You can teach graphing in lots of ways, so why not make it active? Students throw balls onto a target, graphing and analyzing their throws as they go.

Learn more: Amy Lemons

11. Head out on a plot graph scavenger hunt

Create a map of your school, playground, or other area using graph paper (or even better, have kids help you do it). Then choose plot points for them to visit to find notes or small prizes. They’ll feel like real treasure hunters!

Learn more: Edventures With Kids

12. Roll the dice to count and move

Get practice with low-number counting and addition using action dice. Write activities like “jump,” “clap,” or “stomp” on a small wooden block, then roll it along with a pair of dice. Kids add them up (or subtract if you prefer) and complete the activity the number of times shown.

Learn more: Buggy and Buddy/Math Dice

13. Whack a ball to subtract

You know your elementary math students are going to love this! Build your own whack-a-mole 10-frame with a shoebox and Ping-Pong balls. Then, have kids whack the balls to practice their subtraction facts. So fun!

Learn more: Planning Playtime

14. Make a splash with water balloons

You’re going to need to be willing to get a little wet for this one, but kids simply adore math games (or any games!) with water balloons. Fill and label balloons numbered 1 through 20 (or whatever numbers you’re working on). Draw the numbers in a big circle on the playground. Then, have a student choose a balloon, find the matching number, and head off to make a splash!

Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands

15.

Tell time on a giant clock

Draw a giant clock face with hours and minutes on the playground with sidewalk chalk. Choose two students to be the hour and minute hands, then call out a time and send them out to become the clock. Add more complicated elements by having them add to or subtract from the initial time too. (“Now it’s 23 minutes later!”)

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Sidewalk Chalk Clock

16. Measure your frog jumps

Have your students hop like frogs, leap like gazelles, or jump like kangaroos. Then, pull out the ruler or measuring tape so they can measure the distances they’ve covered.

Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons

17. Jump to math facts practice

Lay out a grid like the one shown that has the answers to whatever set of math flash cards you’re currently working with. (This teacher used masking tape; you could also do sidewalk chalk on the playground.) Two players face off, one on each side of the board. Show the flash card, and kids race to be the first to jump to the correct square with both feet inside the lines. Get all the rules at the link below.

Learn more: Teaching and Tapas

18. Run a flash-card race

Tape a series of flash cards to the floor and challenge kids to see who can correctly make their way from start to finish the fastest. They can call out the answers or write them down, but they have to get it right before they move on. Kids can race side by side or work independently to beat their own best time.

Learn more: There’s Just One Mommy

19. Catch a math beach ball

Beach balls are so much fun in the classroom. Scribble numbers all over one with a Sharpie, then toss it to a student. Wherever their thumbs land, they add (or subtract or multiply) those two numbers together before tossing the ball to the next student.

Learn more: Saddle Up for Second Grade/Beach Ball Math

20. Do a number dance

Kids who love “Dance Dance Revolution” will get into this one. Make a number mat for each student like the ones shown. Flash an equation with an answer between 10 and 99 on the screen. Kids figure out the answer and jump to put their left foot on the correct tens place, right foot on the ones. They’ll be dancing and spinning as they learn!

Learn more: Number Loving

21. Groove with angles

Teach kids about transversals and the angles they create with some fun dance moves! Get the details for “Dance Dance Transversal” at the link below.

Learn more: Communicating Mathematically

22. Add and subtract by stacking cups

We’re not sure why, but kids simply love stacking cups. Label yours with math problems and answers, then have kids build pyramids and towers galore!

Learn more: The Kindergarten Smorgasboard

23. Measure the height of a tree (no ladder needed)

Kids will be amazed to learn they can measure the tallest tree while keeping their feet on the ground. The link below walks you through the steps with a free printable.

Learn more: From ABCs to ACTs

24. Count and learn on a nature walk

Take an outdoor stroll and practice basic math along the way. This works indoors too—walk the school hallways (quietly) and count doors, windows, posters, and more.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Math Walk

25. Hunt for shapes in the world around you

Looking for super-simple and fun active math games? Give students a sheet with shapes to find as you walk around the school or playground. Each time they find the shape, have them trace it on their worksheet and then make a mark to keep track of how many times they’ve seen it.

Learn more: Hands-On Teaching Ideas

26. Steal the balls with addition robbery

Kids compete to see whose basket of balls will add up to the highest amount. The trick? They don’t know at the beginning which balls are worth the most. Learn how to play at the link below.

Learn more: That After School Life

27. Puddle-jump from number to number

Lay out a series of construction paper puddles labeled with numbers. You can call out numbers and have kids jump to the correct one, or have them jump from one to the next in order forward or backward, or even try some skip counting.

Learn more: NurtureStore

28. Paint and hide number rocks

Painted rocks are always a big hit! Have your class help you make these, then hide them around the playground and send kids off to find and answer equations.

Learn more: The OT Toolbox

29. Skip-count along a hopscotch board

A hopscotch board can be used for a lot of fun and active math games. Try it for skip counting: Kids hop along counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, or whatever you’re currently working on. Learn more at the link below.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama/Skip-Counting Hopscotch

30. Aim and throw to practice math skills

Pick up a set of Sticky Darts and draw two dartboards side by side. You can label the rings with any numbers you like. Kids throw the darts and then add, subtract, multiply, or divide the numbers—your choice!

Learn more: Inspiration Labs

31.

Design an outdoor board game

Draw a winding path and fill the spaces with math equations. Kids roll the dice and move from space to space (have them jump, skip, or twirl to mix things up). If they get the answer right, they move to the new space. If not, their turn is over. Customizable math games like this can be used at any level.

Learn more: Look! We’re Learning!

32. Turn UNO into an active math game

Grab your UNO deck and get ready to move! Assign each color a movement (hop, touch toes, etc.). As kids draw the cards, everyone completes the movement the correct number of times. Skip and Reverse work as usual, but anyone who gets Draw Two has to draw two more cards and complete the actions on their own while others cheer them on. See more at the link below.

Learn more: Still Playing School

33. Bowl them over while learning math facts

Active math games using recycled materials are economical and good for the environment. Set up empty plastic bottles labeled 1 through 10, then roll the ball to see how many you can knock down. Add up the numbers of the knocked-over bottles to get your score.

Learn more: Learn With Play at Home

34. Compete to win at putt-putt math

Pick up a few dollar-store supplies and make your own putt-putt course. This can be a simple game where kids simply shoot for the highest (or lowest) number. But you can also drive up the complexity by putting equations on the cups that kids have to solve first to determine which is the best cup to aim for.

Learn more: My Catch a Star Classroom!

35. Give a classic game a math twist

Create active math games that give new life to existing resources. For example, add numbers to Twister! For more advanced players, instead of saying “Right hand 5,” try saying “Right hand 14 – 9” to make them think.

Learn more: Math Geek Mama/Twister Math

If you like these active math games and are looking for more ways to move in the classroom, try these 21 Kinesthetic Reading Activities for your most active learners.

Plus, sign up for our free newsletters to get all the best teaching tips and ideas!

90,000 entertaining mathematics for preschoolers, mathematical games and tasks online

Home -forces of captivity

Mathematics

Course We study figures

View all

We study the figures (1)

Study figures (2)

We study the figures (3)

Studying figures (4)

Distinguishing figures (1)

Distinguishing figures (2)

Distinguishing figures (3)

Distinguishing figures (4)

Correlating a figure with an object (1)

View all

Course Learn numbers

View all

Number 1 (1)

Distinguish numbers from 0 to 9 (1)

Distinguish numbers from 0 to 9 (2)

Distinguish numbers from 9 (3)

Distinguish digits from 0 to 9 (4)

Number line up to 10 (1)

Digit 1 (2)

Digit 2 (1)

Digit 2 (2)

View all

Count up to 5

View all

Funny Numbers (1)

Funny numbers (2)

Funny count up to 3

Funny count up to 5

Where else? (1)

Where is more? (2)

Let's count!

Remove the numbers up to 3

We play and consider

View all

Consider up to 10

View all

Funny score up to 10 (1)

Funny score up to 10 (2)

Tasks to a numerical line up to 10 (1)

Number line problems up to 10 (2)

Play and count (1)

Play and count (2)

Which is in order up to 10?

Count down from 10 to 1 (1)

Count down from 10 to 1 (2)

View all

Count up to 20

View all order up to 20 (1)

Correlating objects and numbers up to 20 (1)

Composition of the number 12

Counting in pairs up to 20 (1)

Counting objects up to 20

Count items up to 20 (2)

Count items up to 20 (3)

Count items up to 20 (4)

View all

Count up to 100

View all

Estimated score

count like

Units of length. Millimeter

Approximate count (1)

Put in order to 100 (1)

Count to one hundred

View all

Composition of the number

View all 9Ol000

Add and subtract

View all

Learn to solve problems up to 10 (1)

Learn to solve problems up to 10 (2)

Examples in pictures

Subtract and add

Subtraction by tens (2)

Subtraction by tens (3)

Drag answer

Addition. Terms. Sum. (1)

Addition. Terms. Sum. (2)

View all

Compare numbers

View all

Longer, shorter, equal in length

Comparing numbers in pictures up to 10

Odd or even

Comparing expressions. Equalities and inequalities

Comparison of numbers within a million 9Ol000

Dividing a three-digit number by a single digit

Multiplication and division problems

Do you know the multiplication table? (1)

Do you know the multiplication table? (2)

written division with the remainder of

written multiplication by a two -digit number

View all

Solve problems and examples

View all

Learning to solve problems up to 10 (1)

Money accounts are loved by

diagrams 9000,

Consignment verification by adding subtraction

Multiplication and division problems

Examples with brackets

Add and subtract

Composition of a number

See all

We determine the time

View all

days of the week (1)

days of the week (2)

We remember the months (2)

Distinguish the seasons

Make months (1)

Determine the time by shooters

hours with arrows

Autumn riddles (1)

Seasons - spring (2)

View all

Why do we need mathematics?

Mathematics is a fundamental science that appeared at the moment when a person needed to calculate something. We can say that her age is not much different from the age of mankind. Mathematics helps, on the one hand, to develop abstract thinking, on the other hand, to solve applied problems in everyday life.

Mathematical thinking, or mathematical mindset, is based on logic, the ability to build cause-and-effect relationships, critical thinking, the desire to get to the bottom of a question or problem.

Mathematics forms skills that are relevant for any historical period, especially for the present.

What is entertaining mathematics?

Undoubtedly, mathematical abilities are developed by special efforts.

One option is to study mathematics by solving mathematical problems. For an easier and more exciting learning process, a special section is used - entertaining mathematics. In thoughtful game tasks, interesting plots, using humor, the science of mathematics appears in the most attractive form, which is especially important when teaching children. Children's curiosity and excitement allow you to get involved in the world of abstract calculations and go from entertaining puzzles to real complex mathematics.

Why does the child not understand mathematics?

There is no definite answer to this question. Perhaps the child has not yet fully mastered the skills of counting. Here, counting games from very simple to complicated options, for example, with dice (as an option, rpg board games) will help.

Very young children may still have unformed abstract thinking: it is easier for them to operate with visual objects. A parent or teacher always shows the application of mathematics, explaining why mathematics is needed in life.

If we are talking about an older age, then it is possible to structure abstract thinking in the form of diagrams on paper, helping not to keep all the data in mind, but to see the full picture visually.

If mathematics is difficult for a child, it may be worth paying additional attention to the development of imagination. It is not necessary to use the detailed solution of math problems; you can go through mazes, cut out patterns, collect various crafts according to the schemes. Creativity is welcome, because mathematics is not always about dry numbers.

Math in pictures for preschoolers online is now available to every child. The section includes tasks and games in arithmetic for children, exciting tasks that develop addition and subtraction lessons for children. The exercises in this section will help develop attention and concentration, form elementary mathematical concepts in children.

Playful activities

Your child will have a fun and productive time.

Children are engaged with pleasure, are completely immersed in the learning process and achieve results. For children under 6 who have not yet learned to read, we voiced each task.

Cups and medals for children

Awards that motivate children to achieve success.

Each child has his own “hall of awards and achievements”. If the tasks are completed correctly, children receive cups, medals and nominal diplomas. The awards can be shared on social networks, and the diploma can be printed.

Personal training

Fully controlled development of the child.

We save all the successes of the child and show you what you should pay special attention to. Make up your own training programs so that the child develops harmoniously in all the right directions.

Start studying with your child
today - it's free

Register and get 20 tasks for free. To remove restrictions and achieve great results in your studies - choose and pay for the tariff plan that suits you.

LAUGHTER, YES FUN! Mathematical folklore leisure for children of the group preparatory to school | Outline of a lesson in mathematics (preparatory group) on the topic:

Mathematical folklore leisure for children of the group preparatory to school

Program tasks: repeat ordinal and backward counting with children; to exercise children in solving problems, in solving labyrinths, in solving problems for logical thinking; report of items by a given number; measurements of loose bodies (flour, sugar), to fix the concept of dozens; remember with children proverbs, sayings, where the numbers 7. 3 are found. Create a joyful mood in children.

Materials and equipment: children's bucket, "math labyrinth" according to the number of teams, drawing with seven ducks, pencils, eye patch, cards with a certain number of drawn circles, fake balalaika, pie, sweets for treats.

Stroke.

The teacher invites the children:

Gather people!

A lot of interesting things are waiting for you!

Many games, many jokes

And funny jokes!

(Children enter the group to the soundtrack of a Russian folk melody)

Educator:

Along the street to the end

A daring fellow was walking,

Do not sell goods,

Show yourself to people.

Yes, he did not come alone. Look how many red girls and daring fellows came with them. And tell me, well done, how many red girls came with you? (children count and answer). How many good guys? (children count and answer). And how many of you came? (Children answer)

Oh, well done! Sit down please!

Children sit on chairs. The girl gets up, takes a bucket and goes out under the words of the teacher:

They sent a young woman under

A gorushka for water,

And the water is far away,

And the bucket is big!

Another girl comes to meet her. There is a conversation between them:

- Ulyana, Ulyana, where have you been?

- In the new village!

- What did you see?

- Cockerel in boots,

Chicken in earrings,

Drake in caftan,

A duck in a sundress.

And a cow in a skirt,

in a warm sheepskin coat!

Guys, let's help Ulyana count how many animals she saw.

Children count and answer.

Educator:

Ay, dudu, dudu, dudu!

The man lost his pipe,

Fumbled, fumbled - did not find

He cried and went.

Guys, let's help the peasant find the tune.

Children go to the tables and solve the maze.

Educator: Well done guys, they helped me find the pipe.

The teacher says, addressing the boy: Kum, kumanyok, where do you live? Why don't you come to visit me?

Boy: I live in a painted house. To you, gossip, I'm going to visit! I go, I go, I go, I sing a joke! Can I visit?

Educator: You can, but first answer the question, and you guys, help. Remember the proverbs, sayings, where the number 7 occurs.

Children list.

Seven troubles - one answer.

Seven do not wait for one.

Bow for seven ailments.

Beyond the seven seas.

Until the seventh sweat.

Measure seven times, cut once.

Seven nannies have a child without an eye.

Educator: Well done! And here's another task: seven ducklings swim in a pond and quarrel all the time. You need to draw three straight lines to separate them all.

(Children do the task)

Educator: Do you want to play now? Come out! And the game is called "Nose".

Children stand one next to the other and choose a rhyme to lead:

A minnow was swimming near the shore

Lost a balloon.

Help find him -

Count from 10.

(Count from 10 to 0)

The driver is blindfolded, he must count every third nose of the child. Whoever gets hit is given a flag. After the countdown, the teacher asks:

- How many flags are there? (Three).

And let's, guys, remember proverbs, sayings with this number.

Lost in three pines;

Do not recognize a friend in three days, but in three years;

Three inches from the pot;

Lied with three boxes;

The promised one has been waiting for three years;

Cry in three streams.

- Well done guys. And now we will ask our young women to bake us pies for tea.

Ti-ta-ta, ti-ta-ta,

Please, sieves,

Sow flour,

Make pies.

Pies with yeast,

You can't hold on to the reins.

And in order to bake delicious, fluffy pies, you need to measure out as many glasses of flour as there are circles on the 1st card, and as many glasses of sand as there are circles on the 2nd card.

(Two girls are kneading the dough and “setting it to bake”).

Educator: And while the pies are being prepared, we will play with you. Look at my peas. And who wants to praise my peas?

Children say a tongue twister:

Seven old men were walking,

The old men were talking about peas.

The first one says: “The peas are good!”

The second one says: "The peas are good!"

The third one says: “The peas are good!”

The fourth one says: “The peas are good!”

The fifth one says: "The peas are good!"

The sixth says: “The peas are good!”

The seventh says: "The peas are good!"

And peas are really good!

The boy comes to the bench, takes the balalaika and says:

-Oh, I'll take the balalaika in my hands,

Let me amuse my mistress!

Hey, Timokha, yes Demyan,

Nikolai, Semyon, Ivan…

Let's sit down, brothers. Everything is in order,

Let's sing ditties.

1. It doesn't look like a nickel,

It doesn't look like a donut,

It's round, but not a fool,

With a hole, but not a bagel.

2. I drew one.

It turned out - well, well!

Real Rocket

To fly to the moon.

3. I gave to write off on the control

All problems Kolechka,

And now we have in notebooks

Both have twos

4. He has colored eyes,

Not eyes, but three lights.

He takes turns with them

He looks at me from above.

5. And this is the number five!

It's easy to count to five.

Hold each finger,

Say a number to your finger.

6. In the dark sky on a starry night

I found seven bright points.

Found seven burning eyes,

It is called a ladle.

7. Marvelous spider:

Eight legs and eight arms.

If you need to run away -

Eight legs help out.

Educator: And now the cake is ripe.