Pi day is almost here. Pie day is 3.14.15 and it is a very fun day for math nerds everywhere. Finding games for our kids that encourage thinking is possible. I have compiled several ideas to encourage your child to think critically about math. These products range from counting manipulatives to fun games. I recommend each of these products. They are ones that I would buy for my own kids or already own. You see, when my then six-year-old added “Math” to her Christmas wish list my wheels started turning. Math gifts for kids are fun for everyone!
Do you see anything that your kids will like?
Froggy Feeding Fun
Squeeze the frog to open its mouth, pick up flies and strengthen fine motor muscles. Roll a cube to determine which flies to munch. Includes 2 durable rubber frogs, 60 flies, 1 number cube, 1 color cube and Activity Guide. Frogs measure 2½” in diameter. For grades Pre K+.
Unifix Cubes
Box of 100 includes 10 cubes each of 10 colors. Have fun counting by 10’s, 5’s, 2’s, and 1’s
Double Shutter Game (Ages 8 and up)
- Roll the dice inside the tin and add up the dots to shut the tiles of your choice
- The tile total must match the dot total in any combination you want
- Play solitarily or with friends, Double Shutter is very addictive so always remember to play in moderation
- Players develop strategies, figure probabilities and use arithmetic to attempt to shut the Super Box
- Blue Orange plants two trees for every tree used to produce their games
Think Fun Math Dice
In this captivating 3D math game, players try to get closest to the target number by creating different equations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, even powers. You won’t believe how much fun math can be.
Learning Resources Math-a-Magician – Activity Set
Math-a-Magician Activity Set. Pull rabbits out of this hat to learn probability! Also teaches numbers and operations, early algebra, estimation and measurement.
Penguins on Ice – Math Activity Set
Cool penguin set goes the extra mile—so versatile! Ice bars hold 10 penguins each and connect 2 ways—horizontally (number line) or vertically (hundred grid). Reinforces numbers, counting, patterning, sorting, operations, hundreds and base ten.
Sum Swamp Addition and Subtraction Game
Kids will have a terrific time learning math skills as they avoid the hilarious pitfalls of the Sum Swamp. Designed for two to four players, this game is sure to develop and sharpen beginning math skills, because the only way to escape the mire is to roll the dice and add and subtract your way around the board. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to take the Crocodile Short Cut, although sooner or later everyone gets caught in the Endless Loop.
Make 7
Try to get your number tiles to add up to 7 in any direction to win
Mindware Flip 4 Strategic Game
Great exercise of basic math and strategy skills: kids roll the dice and add, subtract or multiply the numbers to land on board squares. The real fun starts when you strategically “flip” an opponent out of the game!
Mastering Math Facts: Addition & Subtraction
Packed with surefire learning strategies and dozens of practice pages to sharpen computational fluency, this book provides teachers with everything they need to help students master the 200 addition and subtraction facts that lay the groundwork for building proficiency and speed in problem solving.
** I just started this with my six-year-old and she LOVES it! She has asked me, scratch that, BEGGED me, to do math since we started. This is one of the best books you can have in your collection. There is also a multiplication/division one as well **
Have you tried any of these math games? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more