Two of the most sought after skills that parents and educators want games to develop is math skills and social skills. This shows two things for me.
Firstly, they are familiar with the characteristics of games and board games, understanding that there are solutions in these areas.
Secondly, we can easily identify issues related to these aspects. And to all this, the fun factor of playing adds up; it doesn't take an expert to know that learning is more enjoyable through play.
In the past ten years, during the more than a hundred lectures, workshops, and training sessions I've had the privilege to conduct, I don't recall a single instance where mathematics didn't come up as a highlighted developmental area.
Of course, each case is unique, but in this article, I aim to compile my most important responses, primarily focusing on the titles of specific games.
Quick jump to sections:
Educational math board games:
Game of Six, Math Dice, Mastermind, Pentomino, Smath, Mammoth Maths, Prime Climb.
Modern Board games that impact math skills:
Ganz Schon Clever, Richochet Robots, Mahe, Schnapp den Sack, Patchwork, Qwirkle, Splendor.
What board game helps with math?
Based on my experience there can be two different responses to this based on what the people mean:
The educational math board games route
They want to discover games created with the specific purpose of developing a mathematical area during play.
Focus is on knowledge transfer.
The general board game route
They are interested in board games that, while educational, do not primarily focus on the direct impact on mathematical areas.
Focus is on motivation.
Which answer you need will be something only you will know, so in this article, I aim to cater to both directions.
In general, whether you are a teacher or a parent, you certainly know your children better than I do. Some prefer knowing that they are learning because focus is important to them, but we also know many children who need learning to be hidden as the mere fact of having to perform blocks them. I also cannot know whether you are looking for math games because something is challenging, or because something is going well. Catching up and talent development can both be excellent goals.
Let's start with so-called edutainment games, where education is more emphasized. Then, we'll take a look into the world of modern board games. What won't be covered are the classic abstract smart games like Chess or Go, as they quite clearly have a beneficial impact on numerous mathematical areas and are frequently discussed.
Educational math board games
You will find three types of games here:
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Games that can be played and made with few tools. While they might not be as colorful and fragrant as boxed board games, they do offer developmental goals for children.
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Games that you probably know but might not come to mind when thinking about mathematical development.
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Board games created specifically for direct mathematical development.
Game of Six
Multiplication practice with dice
Tools
Six-sided die, score sheet
Skills Developed
Multiplication, addition
Math Dice
Target number calculation game
Tools
Two 12-sided dice, three 6-sided dice
Skills Developed
Calculation, addition and subtraction, number system, logical thinking
Mastermind
Codeknacker-Logikspiel
Tools
Mastermind-Spielset mit farbigen Steckern
Skills Developed
Logisches Denken, Kombinations- und Permutationsfähigkeiten, Mustererkennung
Pentomino
Räumliches Puzzle mit geometrischen Formen
Tools
12 Pentomino-Teile, 8x8-Spielbrett
Skills Developed
Räumliches Denken, Geometrie, Problemlösung
Smath
Mathe-Kreuzworträtsel-Spiel
Tools
Smath-Spielbrett und Plättchen
Skills Developed
Rechnen, Addition und Subtraktion, Multiplikation und Division, logisches Denken, Mustererkennung
Mammoth Maths
Simple addition and subtraction game
Tools
Game board, dice, stone rings
Skills Developed
Addition, subtraction
Prime Climb
Primzahlen-Strategiespiel
Tools
Prime Climb Spielbrett und Spielsteine
Skills Developed
Primzahlen und zusammengesetzte Zahlen, Multiplikation und Teilbarkeit, Rechnen und Grundoperationen, Strategie und Logik
Modern Board games that impact math skills
These games are not explicitly "math games," but they all involve mathematical thinking and strategy to some degree:
Ganz Schön Clever
Dice rolling strategy game
Tools
Six dice, score sheet
Skills Developed
Combinations and permutations, addition, multiplication, strategy and decision making, mathematical logic
Ricochet Robots
Räumliches Programmier-Puzzle
Tools
Spielbrett, Roboterfiguren, Wände
Skills Developed
Räumliches Bewusstsein, logisches Denken, Koordination und Planung, mathematisches Denken, Arbeitsgedächtnis, Programmierdenken
Mahé
Stapel- und Wettlaufspiel
Tools
Spielbrett, Würfel, Spielfiguren
Skills Developed
Zählen, Multiplikation, Addition
Schnapp den Sack
Schnelles Zähl- und Greifspiel
Tools
Karten, Sack
Skills Developed
Addition, strategisches Denken, Zahlensortierung und -vergleich, Zählen und Vergleichen
Patchwork
Patchwork ist ein Zwei-Spieler-Spiel, das die beruhigende Kunst des Quiltens mit strategischem Gameplay vereint – ein interessanter Gegensatz, der es besonders macht.
Zwei Spieler wählen abwechselnd Stoffflicken und platzieren sie auf ihrem persönlichen Spielbrett, um möglichst viel Fläche abzudecken und dabei ihre Knöpfe (die Spielwährung) zu verwalten. Auch die Zeit ist ein Faktor, da jeder Flicken eine bestimmte Nähzeit benötigt. Das Spiel endet, wenn beide Spieler das Ende der Zeitleiste erreichen – der Spieler mit den meisten Knöpfen nach Abzügen gewinnt.
Tools
1 Zeitleiste, 2 Spielertableaus, 33 Stoffflicken, 5 Sonderflicken, 1 Neutralstein, 50 Knopf-Plättchen und ein Regelheft.
Skills Developed
Das Spiel fördert räumliches Denken, Ressourcenmanagement, strategische Planung und Entscheidungsfindung, da die Spieler Flicken effizient platzieren und ihre Knopf-Wirtschaft verwalten müssen.
Qwirkle
Nehmen oder liegenlassen? Das ist alles – und trotzdem bringt dich jede Entscheidung ins Schwitzen.
Die Spieler legen abwechselnd Steine in ein gemeinsames Raster und ordnen sie nach Farbe oder Form in Reihen oder Spalten. Je mehr Steine in einer Sequenz liegen, desto höher die Punktzahl. Ein Qwirkle (ein vollständiges Set von sechs passenden Steinen) bringt Bonuspunkte. Der Spieler mit der höchsten Punktzahl gewinnt.
Tools
108 Holzsteine mit sechs verschiedenen Formen in sechs verschiedenen Farben.
Skills Developed
Dieses Spiel fördert Mustererkennung, strategisches Denken, räumliches Bewusstsein und Planungsfähigkeiten.
Splendor
Edelstein-Handels- und Engine-Building-Spiel
Tools
Edelsteinchips, Entwicklungskarten, Adelsplättchen
Skills Developed
Ressourcenmanagement, Arithmetik, wirtschaftliche Grundbegriffe
A possible journey
With the listed games, I have a lot of good experiences, but there are surely other excellent choices as well. If you've gone through the above list, it's possible that something on your shelf also came to mind, which could be good for developing mathematical skills.
With a bit of exaggeration, every board game involves some level of math. If nothing else, you need to add up the points. The key is to try out many things and pay attention because if a particular direction works with the kids, that's the path to follow.
Have a great journey! And most importantly: have fun playing!
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