Math Games

In math, we are learning many fun games. Among our favorites that can be played at home:

DOMINO TOP IT: 2-4 players. Dominoes are placed face side down on a table. Each player drawers a domino and adds the total of the dots. Whoever has the highest total gets to keep the dominoes drawn that round by all players. When all the dominoes have been drawn, each player counts how many they have. The person with the most dominoes wins.

DIGIT GAME: 2 players. Materials: number cards for the numbers 0-9 (4 of each). Shuffle deck. Place the deck number-side down on table. Each player draws 2 cards from the deck and uses them to make the larger 2-digit number. The player with the larger number takes all 4 cards. The game is over when all of the cards have been used. The player with the most cards wins. To make the game more challenging, draw 3 cards and make 3-digit numbers.

HIGH ROLLER: 2-4 players. Materials: 2 dice, paper/pencil. When a player takes a turn, they roll both dice and write down the numbers on the dice. They then cross out the smaller of the two numbers and roll that die again, writing that number down. The player then adds the two numbers up. Whoever has the highest total wins the round.

COIN EXCHANGE: 2-4 players. Materials: 2 dice, real or play coins. On their turn, the player rolls the two dice, totals the numbers on the dice and collects that amount of money from the bank. They practice making exchanges for larger coins as they collect more money. You can play with a banker who handles the money, or have each player take care of their own. When we play at school, I assume the "banker" role, but have the students tell me at each of their turns what coins to give them to add up to the amount shown on their dice. I have found this is very good practice for them in adding coin amounts, and the children enjoy playing the game.