“Every time a student makes a mistake in math, they grow a synapse.”

― Jo Boaler, Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students’ Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching

Games allow us to make mistakes without fear. Below are some of our favorite games to introduce new skills and review skills already covered. Be sure to check back as our living lists continue to grow.

Time Telling Game

This Time Telling Game is essentially a prepared exercise in setting and telling time. There are points awarded for correct answers, but you are paying for the prompts. That said, if you have a child who likes quick exercises or if you have a child who is struggling with telling time, this gets the job done.

Addition/Subtraction

Sleeping Queens

Though this game was created by a 6-year-old, it is nothing to scoff at. Sleeping Queens was at the top of our list for many years! A simple card game, it is a perfect to toss in your bag. The queens have fallen under a sleeping spell and players need to “wake up” the most queens. Kings wake the queens, jesters are chance cards, potions put queens back to sleep, wands protect the queens from potions, and knight cards allow you to steal a queen from another player (but only if they don’t have a dragon guarding them!) Fast to learn, with a playtime of about 10-15 minutes, this game is perfect for kids just learning to add. Once my kids were comfortable with adding, we adjusted the game to include subtraction as well.

Rat-A-Tat Cat

Practice addition skills while also building memory and focus. Players try to get the lowest card total. There are ability cards that allow you to take a peek at other players’ cards and swap to build a better hand. A strategy game with the need for some memory skills, this game is a step-up from Sleeping Queens.

Clumsy Thief : In The Candy Shop

Make stacks that add to 20. Thief cards steal stacks and jail cards stop the thief. All players work at the same time to make and steal stacks. A great game if you have kids that don’t get too emotional in a fast paced, competitive game environment.

Zeus on the Loose

Place a card down in the center (Mount Olympus). Number cards add to the card total of Mount Olympus. When you put down a card that is a multiple of 10, match a card placed right before your turn, or put down a Greek God that states “Steal Zeus”, you gain control of Zeus. Whoever has control of Zeus when Mount Olympus passes 100 wins the round.

Sushi Go

A pick-and-pass card game that includes trying to create the best combination of sushi items. Score points by fulfilling different combinations of sushi items. This game engages planning and mathematic skills as each person chooses what to pick and what to pass on for each round. The person with the most points at the end of 3 rounds wins!

A fast-paced and competitive game that is quick to play and easy to learn.

Money Bags

Race around the board and collect money as you go. A spinner challenges students to form their total in a variety of ways by limiting what coins are permitted. Special spaces allow students to exchange coins for those of a higher value to collect interest. This game was an amazing resource for my kids as they learned coin values and counting. If your kids are comfortable with adding, they can jump into learning about money.

Play Store

This one seemed too obvious, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to add to the list because if you are here, you are looking for ways to make learning fun. Not exactly a game, but something that I think we all enjoyed when we were little- pretend play. I have my kids set up a cardboard box or table with some items I can buy, I have some pretend money to play with, and they work the register and tell me how much everything costs. I pay for the items I am buying and have them give me the correct amount of change. Sometimes I will short them money to see if they notice (which always gets a laugh). They like it when they can correct my math skills. 😉 Simple, silly, but very effective. When learning doesn’t feel like learning, you know you are winning.

Secret Code 13+4

If you are looking for a mixed math review, Secret Code 13+4 is a great place to start. Quick to learn and play, this game is a good transition piece between lessons. Students roll dice and use any combination of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to make equations to move. Now our Go-to (ages 8 & 10) for Friday Fun Day.

Pizza Fraction Fun

There are a ton of fraction games for students, but how fun is pizza?! An excellent visual way to teach students the relationship between fractions. There is also a magnetic set that can be used on your whiteboardrd if you are teaching a large class.

Prime Club

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