Practical aspects when it comes to doing math games in the classroom
To make sure every student is involved and engaged you need games that either allow all students to participate simultaneously in one game or are affordable enough to be used in smaller groups parallel. Having said that you want games that are short to play and are either:
Scalable
Work with 20+ people if everyone is participating in the same game
Cheap
If you give the same game to 8 groups in your class simultaneously you are surely better off with ones that require only one dice for each group than something that costs much
And guess what? The ones we'll talk about here are just like this.
Two type of situations in the school
Beyond the above mentioned stuff, it's worth taking into consideration when the math game activity is done in the school setting:
Games During Class
Games that align closely with the curriculum, focusing on reinforcing math concepts and skills. These games should encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of mathematical principles in a fun, interactive setting. Examples include math puzzles, strategy games that require mathematical reasoning, and games incorporating arithmetic operations. Average play time can usually be 20-30 minutes as it's also necessary to talk about the instructions.
Games in Recess
We suggest games designed to relax and unite students, emphasizing group cohesion and fun over direct educational content. These games should be easy to set up and play, fostering social interaction and teamwork, while subtly reinforcing mathematical thinking. Examples could include pattern recognition games, simple probability games, or activities that require students to estimate and measure.
43 Classroom Math Games
Here's our comprehensive list of math games perfect for classroom use, organized with detailed information about gameplay, skills developed, and player counts.
1. Absolute Zero
Gameplay Instruction: Players aim to combine their cards to get as close to zero as possible. They can add, subtract, multiply, or divide using the cards in their hand, playing either competitively or cooperatively to reach zero.
Tools Required: Card game in a box.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-6 players.
Math Skills: Arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), strategy, and understanding of positive and negative numbers.
2. Balance Beans
Gameplay Instruction: Players place beans on the seesaw in such a way that it balances. It starts with a set-up card that shows where to place some of the beans, and players figure out where to place the remaining beans to balance the seesaw.
Tools Required: Balance Beans game set including a balance tray and bean pieces.
Ideal Number of Players: Solo play or can be solved in groups for discussion.
Math Skills: Basic algebra, understanding of balance and weight, problem-solving.
3. Blokus
Gameplay Instruction: Players take turns placing their colored pieces on the board, starting from their corner. Each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same color, but only at the corners. The goal is to place as many pieces on the board as possible while blocking others from doing so.
Tools Required: Blokus board game set.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players.
Math Skills: Spatial reasoning, geometric concepts, strategy, and planning.
4. Chocolate Fix
Gameplay Instruction: Using clues, players arrange various pieces of chocolates (by shape and color) into a specified pattern on the tray. It requires logical deduction to solve the puzzles provided in the challenge booklet.
Tools Required: Chocolate Fix game set including a game tray, colored chocolate pieces, and challenge booklet.
Ideal Number of Players: Solo play.
Math Skills: Logic, pattern recognition, sequencing, and problem-solving.
5. City of Zombies
Gameplay Instruction: Players work together to defend their city from a zombie invasion, using math to defeat zombies. Each zombie has a number, and players must use math operations to match that number with dice rolls to defeat them.
Tools Required: City of Zombies board game set including dice, game board, and zombie cards.
Ideal Number of Players: 1-6 players.
Math Skills: Arithmetic, critical thinking, cooperative strategy.
6. Dino Math Tracks
Gameplay Instruction: Players race their dinosaurs around the track by solving math problems. Questions adjust in difficulty, involving counting, addition, subtraction, and place value.
Tools Required: Dino Math Tracks game set including game board, dinosaur pieces, and dice.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players.
Math Skills: Counting, addition, subtraction, place value understanding.
7. Equate: The Equation Thinking Game
Gameplay Instruction: Similar to Scrabble but with numbers and symbols. Players build equations on the board horizontally or vertically, aiming to score high by using complex equations or placing tiles on premium squares.
Tools Required: Equate game set including tiles with numbers and mathematical symbols, and the game board.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players.
Math Skills: Arithmetic, algebra, strategic planning.
8. Fraction Formula
Gameplay Instruction: Players draw a card and find fraction tiles to add to their cylinder to match the fraction on the card. The goal is to get as close to 1 whole without going over.
Tools Required: Fraction Formula game set including fraction tiles, cylinders, and cards.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players.
Math Skills: Understanding of fractions, addition of fractions, estimation.
9. Ganz Schön Clever
Gameplay Instruction: Players roll dice and choose which to use to mark off spaces on their scoring track, with different sections of the track providing various ways to score points. The goal is to strategize the use of dice rolls to maximize points.
Tools Required: Dice game in a box including score sheets and dice.
Ideal Number of Players: 1-4 players.
Math Skills: Probability, strategic planning, addition.
10. Head Full of Numbers
Gameplay Instruction: Players shake the dice cup filled with dice then flip the timer to write as many math equations as possible using the numbers shown. Equations can include any math operations.
Tools Required: Head Full of Numbers game set including dice, a timer, and dice cup.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-6 players.
Math Skills: Arithmetic operations, speed, and creative mathematical thinking.
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11. Logic Roots Addition and Subtraction Games
Gameplay Instruction: These games often involve solving addition and subtraction problems to progress in a board game format. Specific rules can vary based on the particular game chosen from the Logic Roots series, but generally, players answer math questions to move forward.
Tools Required: Specific game set from the Logic Roots series, including game board, cards, and/or dice, depending on the game.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players, though some games may allow for individual play.
Math Skills: Addition and subtraction, number sense, and problem-solving.
12. Make 7
Gameplay Instruction: Players take turns dropping colored discs into a grid, aiming to be the first to align three pieces that sum up to seven either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
Tools Required: Make 7 game set including the grid and colored discs.
Ideal Number of Players: 2 players.
Math Skills: Addition, strategy, spatial awareness.
13. Mammoth Maths
Gameplay Instruction: Players answer math questions across various categories to earn pieces of a mammoth puzzle. The first to complete their mammoth wins. The game can include questions on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more.
Tools Required: Mammoth Maths game set, including cards with math questions and mammoth puzzle pieces.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players.
Math Skills: Broad arithmetic skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
14. Mastermind
Gameplay Instruction: One player sets a secret code of colored pegs, and the other player(s) have a set number of turns to guess the code. After each guess, the code setter gives feedback indicating the number of correct color pegs in the correct and incorrect positions.
Tools Required: Mastermind game set including the game board, colored pegs for setting and guessing the code, and pegs for feedback.
Ideal Number of Players: 2 players.
Math Skills: Logic, pattern recognition, deductive reasoning.
15. Math Bingo
Gameplay Instruction: Similar to traditional Bingo, but players solve math problems to determine which numbers to cover on their Bingo card. The first player to form a specified pattern (line, full card, etc.) wins.
Tools Required: Math Bingo game set or homemade Bingo cards with math problems, markers/chips to cover numbers.
Ideal Number of Players: Any number of players can participate.
Math Skills: Arithmetic operations, quick thinking, and concentration.
16. Math Dice Chase
Gameplay Instruction: Players are in teams and roll pairs of 12-sided dice. They quickly multiply the numbers rolled and pass the dice. If a team gets caught with both pairs of dice, they're out. The game continues until one team remains.
Tools Required: Two pairs of 12-sided dice.
Ideal Number of Players: 4+ players (in teams).
Math Skills: Multiplication speed and accuracy, quick reflexes.
17. Math Fluxx
Gameplay Instruction: A card game where the rules and goals change based on the cards played. Players use number and action cards to manipulate their hand and the play area to meet the current goal, which involves solving math problems or creating specific number combinations.
Tools Required: Math Fluxx card game set.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-6 players.
Math Skills: Arithmetic, flexibility in thinking, strategic planning.
18. Math for Love Multiplication by Heart
Gameplay Instruction: A card-based game designed to help students memorize multiplication tables through patterns and visual representations rather than rote memorization.
Tools Required: Multiplication by Heart card set.
Ideal Number of Players: Solo play or small groups for collaborative learning.
Math Skills: Multiplication tables, pattern recognition.
19. Math Rush
Gameplay Instruction: A cooperative card game where players work against a timer to solve math problems together. Cards represent different math operations and numbers, and players must sequence cards in ascending or descending order based on the operation shown.
Tools Required: Math Rush game set including cards and timer.
Ideal Number of Players: 1-5 players.
Math Skills: Basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), teamwork, and time management.
20. Math Warriors
Gameplay Instruction: Players use math problems to battle opponents on a game board. Each player has warrior pieces with different strengths, and solving math problems successfully powers up the warriors for attack or defense.
Tools Required: Math Warriors game set including game board, warrior pieces, and math problem cards.
Ideal Number of Players: 2-4 players.
Math Skills: Arithmetic, strategic thinking, problem-solving.
Games 21-43: Quick Reference
21. Mathable
Create equations on a board like Scrabble. Players: 2-4. Skills: Arithmetic, strategy, equation building.
22. Mobi
Crossword-style math equations. Players: 1-6. Skills: Arithmetic, speed, pattern recognition.
23. Möbi Numerical Tile Game
Create networks of equations. Players: 1-4. Skills: Arithmetic, spatial thinking.
24. Monster Math Scale
Balance equations with weighted monsters. Players: 1-4. Skills: Equations, addition, subtraction.
25. Money Bags Coin Value Game
Collect and count money to the finish. Players: 2-4. Skills: Coin recognition, counting money.
26. Multiplication Bingo
Bingo with multiplication problems. Players: Any number. Skills: Multiplication tables.
27. Number Ninjas
Navigate math challenges to collect coins. Players: 2-4. Skills: Varied arithmetic, problem-solving.
28. Numbers League
Superheroes battle villains using math. Players: 2-4. Skills: Addition, subtraction, multiplication.
29. Pizza Fraction Fun Game
Match pizza fractions to orders. Players: 2-6. Skills: Fraction recognition, equivalence.
30. Prime Climb
Colorful board exploring prime numbers. Players: 2-4. Skills: Prime numbers, multiplication, division.
31. Proof! Math Game
Race to create equations with cards. Players: 2-6. Skills: Mental math, quick thinking.
32. Qwirkle Numbers
Match tiles by color or number. Players: 2-4. Skills: Pattern recognition, sequencing.
33. Race to Infinity
Navigate board with math challenges. Players: 2-6. Skills: Arithmetic operations.
34. Sequence Numbers
Form sequences of five chips. Players: 2-6. Skills: Number sequencing, strategy.
35. Smath
Create crosswords of math equations. Players: 2-4. Skills: Arithmetic, equation construction.
36. Sudoku Board Game
Fill grid with numbers 1-9. Players: 1-4. Skills: Logic, problem-solving.
37. Sum Swamp
Navigate swamp by solving problems. Players: 2-4. Skills: Addition, subtraction.
38. Sums in Space
Outer space arithmetic adventure. Players: 2-4. Skills: Arithmetic operations.
39. The Genius Square
Fill grid with geometric blocks. Players: 1-2. Skills: Spatial awareness, geometry.
40. The Magic Labyrinth
Navigate invisible maze. Players: 2-4. Skills: Memory, spatial reasoning.
41. Tipover
Tip crates to create paths. Players: Solo. Skills: Critical thinking, spatial reasoning.
42. Tiny Polka Dot
Mini-games with polka-dotted cards. Players: 1-6. Skills: Counting, number recognition.
43. Zeus on the Loose
Count to 100 to capture Zeus. Players: 2-5. Skills: Addition, counting to 100.
📚 Need More Details?
We've listed 43 fantastic math games for your classroom. For detailed gameplay instructions, tools required, and in-depth math skill breakdowns for any of these games, please reach out to us or check individual game resources.
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