Math games for kids

Math games for kids cover a wide range of topics and concepts, and you can start teaching these to your child from a very early age.

Nothing too complicated, here, however, so worry not!

You'll no doubt find that you're getting your child involved in all kinds of number related concepts just by chatting to them on an every day basis.

Talking about the time, sorting clothes, tidying toys, playing pretend telephone calls or just tapping out numbers on a keyboard all expose your child to the fact that numbers exist and can be used to do tons of very useful stuff!

On this page we're going to look at basic math games for kids, starting off with toddlers. Once you've got going with these games, you can extend them for older children, or add new, more demanding activities!

Math games for very young children

Math games for toddlers are ever so practical! It's all about introducing mathematical concepts and relationships to infants - which really isn't so difficult, even if you're not the world's greatest math genius!

You're probably already chatting away to your little one about all the different things that are happening during the day. Which no doubt includes the following:

• things that are bigger and smaller...
• heavier and lighter
• less and more
• tall and short
• big and little

- and this is probably the most important point: if you're involving your child in day-to-day activities and explaining what you're doing, there's almost no way you can avoid comparing things or describing things. Underneath it all, you're pointing out differences - which at a later age can be measured :)

Other math games for kids at this stage involve sorting activities. Grouping things together, separating them, pairing them up... think socks, fruit, toys, or candy!

• Sort out the toys together - cars in that box, blocks in the block box, cuddly toys on the bed
• Pair up the socks from the laundry basket - what a chore!
• Sort those blocks into colors - then muddle them all up again! Then sort... then muddle... fun!
• Point out shapes during the day. Find square things and round things.

How about some matching fun? Matching shapes using household items or toy shapes, or shape/play dough cut outs can develop into a fun game.

Or match numbers - use a mini whiteboard or chalkboard, and write a number - now your child has to copy it. Or draw a wiggly line or a straight line - and your child copies that. And so on. Then swap roles. See if your child notices if you draw it wrong!

Counting games

Count around the house
Count apples, blocks, plastic cups, bottles, books - or flower petals, twigs, stones in the garden, trees! Of course, counting your nose, ears, eyes, fingers and toes is always fun, too!

Recognizing numbers
Use picturebooks, write out telephone numbers for the toy phone and "call" someone, look at numbers on coins, books, tv controls - you'll be amazed when you take a look around your home how many numbers there are all over the place!

Order! Order!
Ordering things is a pretty important skill... but kids love this concept, because they know they're pretty smart when they get the order right!

Start introducing this idea by talking about the order of your day. First we'll have breakfast, then we'll get dressed, then we are going to see Grandma... and as you do these things, say what you're doing and what you'll be doing next.

It's nice to have a big calendar on the wall somewhere - so you can say what day of the week it is today. Recite the days of the week, then repeat what day it is today. Eventually you'll be building up to asking what day it is tomorrow.

How many?
You might still be at the "one or two" counting stage, but it's where you need to start! How many fingers, how many bananas - and for food, you can also ask your child if they would like one cookie or two. That usually teaches 'em pretty quick which one's which!

Keyboard fun
You can use number keys on a keyboard for a variety of math games for kids... you might just be able to show your child the numbers before they fight you off the keyboard to type their own novel... but if you prepare a Word document, for example, with some big numbers already typed onto it - say, numbers 1,2,3, then your child can try and type them in any order - or even the correct order!

Playing with money

Money is a fascinating concept... not only is it coins and notes, but it also gives an idea of value. Not easy for a toddler! But you can begin to get into the swing of things by playing some shopping games, using play money (if your child isn't going to try eating it) and putting some money in a piggy bank - then taking it out again!

Kids love to look in a wallet or purse, and find "real money"... put bigger coins together in piles, count out some notes, then put it all away very carefully.

Telling the time

Teach kids time concepts by describing where you are in the day, as mentioned above for ordering things. A big toy clock with moveable hands is a must once your child is able to manipulate it, and you'll also need to introduce digital clock times at some stage too. Just start with the hour - 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock - at first, then on the half hour, then the quarter hour and so on.

You can also emphasize routines with the time - lunchtime is at twelve o'clock, bedtime is seven o'clock, and so forth.

Measuring games

Height, weight, length, volume... dealing with these concepts was never my strongest skill, but the following math games for kids involving measurement are easy to play!

• Measure your child against a height chart on the wall - then again, a little later when they've grown
• Use a tape measure or ruler to measure things around the house - get your little one to come with you on a measuring adventure!
• Step on the scales - who is heavier? Who is lighter? No need to get too technical here!
• Hot and cold - what's the temperature outside? Your child won't understand degrees of heat - but they'll see that this is something you measure, too
• Use bathtime to measure volumes of water. How many little buckets of water will fill the big bucket?

Math games for kids - more ideas

1. Tic tac toe - or noughts and crosses as we call it in the UK - is a great little game for kids that teaches the use of symbols - plus a little strategy too!

2. Heads and tails - fun money game, where you pop some coins in a cup, juggle them about, tip them onto the table and count the "heads" and "tails"

3. Sort the numbers - another pencil and paper game, simply write a set of numbers in any order. Your child then has to point to number one, then two, and so on

4. Dice counting - for beginners, throw the dice and count the dots! Then take it in turns to see who gets more. Make it fun by jiggling the dice in a beaker then tossing the dice out. Progress to my next idea...

5. Board games - using dice and counters, spinning arrows, counting spaces, moving up or down, collecting items or having them get taken away, matching colors and shapes ... board games can be a great way to give your kids tons of fun while using their math skills! Some fun math-skill board games I've found are
   • Hi Ho Cherry-O
   • Candy Land board games
   • Chutes and Ladders
   • The Ladybug Game
   • Lucky Ducks
   • Snail's Pace Race
   • Trouble (our UK version is called Frustration)

   Do watch out for small parts on these games with the little ones!

6. Dot to dots - kid activity books or online printouts can keep kids nicely busy for a while!

Hope you enjoyed this selection of math game ideas for kids. Want to check out what's online? Play these recommended online math games for kids.