Maths Games to Engage your kids at home

Some parents experience an uphill battle when it comes to encouraging their child to improve their maths skills and understanding. You may need to engage your children at home by playing some active maths games, and I don’t mean apps or games on their mobile devices.

In fact, your kids will enjoy these games without even realising that they are learning some important concepts along the way. You may also customise most of these games based on what skills you want your kids to learn, so it wouldn’t hurt to pick a few to try. Your kids will beg for more once they try some of these maths games.

• Roll the dice to count and move

This game will require you to write several activities on a board or a small wooden block. Your kids must roll the dice and add the two numbers shown on it, then they need to do the actions listed on the board like clap, jump or stomp based on the total number they got on the dice.

• Math facts practice

Lay out a grid on the floor with several answers on it, then two players face off on each side of the board. You will then show the flashcard and let your kids race by jumping to the correct square with both feet inside the line. The player with the more correct answers wins.

• Run a flashcard race

Using a masking tape, stick a series of flashcards on the ground and let your kids race their way from start to finish. The main rule of this game is to allow players to call out the answers to the questions on the flashcards, but they can only move on if they get it right. So, kids can race by side by side, or you can let them work independently to beat the fastest time on your record.

• Giant clock

A giant clock face must be drawn on the ground with hours and minutes. Choose two players to be the minute and hour hands, then you’ll need to shout out a time and let your kids replicate the time on the giant clock face. You can also make it more complicated by adding or subtracting from the initial time like calling out “25 minutes later.”

• Plot the graph scavenger hunt

This game will require you to create a map of your house or backyard using a graph paper. You then choose plot points on the map that your kids need to visit to get clues or small prizes. They will surely enjoy this game because they will feel like real treasure hunters.

• Number dance

If your kids love to play “Dance Dance Revolution” on their gaming console, then they will surely enjoy this game. To play this game, you’ll need to make a number mat for each of your children, then show them an equation using a flashcard with an answer between 10 and 99. Your kids must figure out the solution by jumping their left foot on the correct tens place, and their right foot on the ones. Your kids will be dancing and spinning as they answer each equation you give them.

Overall, these games are engaging and fun and will teach your children some valuable maths concepts that they can use to improve their skills. Even though onsite learning has now resumed, experts are predicting that many students may have fallen behind with the events of 2020 lockdowns in Victoria, so extra practice at home will surely help your children get to the expected level.