Mathematics

For children, play is the most natural way to learn. When it comes to Mathematics, a subject that can sometimes feel abstract or intimidating, integrating games into the learning process is transformative.

Mathematical games shift the focus from rigid rote memorisation to active, joyful exploration. They provide a low-stakes environment where making mistakes is just part of the game, helping to reduce math anxiety and build cognitive resilience.

Mathematical games help to:

Deepen Conceptual Understanding: Instead of just learning that $2 + $3 = $5, games allow children to visually and physically manipulate numbers, turning abstract formulas into concrete concepts.
Foster Strategic Thinking: Board games, puzzles, and logic games require children to plan ahead, spot patterns and solve problems on the fly; skills that are foundational for higher-level mathematics and logic.
Encourage Positive Association: By framing math as a challenge to be enjoyed rather than a chore to be completed, games cultivate a lifelong curiosity and a growth mindset toward STEM subjects.
Develop Social-Emotional Skills: Multiplayer math games teach essential life skills like cooperation, taking turns and handling both winning and losing with grace.

Mathematical games don't just teach kids how to count; they teach them to love the way mathematics makes them think. Here are some easily adaptable mathematics games you can play at home:

Count Down

This is a simple at home version of the TV favourite and can be played with any number of players.

What you need to play:

4 ‘large number’ cards with 25, 50, 75 and 100 on one card each
A set of cards with the digits 1-10 on them, with at least two cards for each digit

How to play:

Set out 4 large number cards (25, 50, 75 and 100) face down and mixed up.
Do the same with the 1 – 10 cards, making sure you have at least 2 cards for each digit.
Players take it in turns to select one of the big number cards or one of the small number cards, until there are 6 cards laid out all together.
Someone who is playing needs to generate a 3-digit number. You could throw a dice, or select cards from a pile each with a digit from 0 to 9.
Once the number has been generated, turn over the six cards and players have to try and make that total using any of the six number cards and any of the four operations.

Each card can only be used once and the winner is the first person to reach the total, or the player who is closest after a set length of time.

Adapt count down for younger children, by choosing the numbers on the cards carefully and have them aim to make a 2-digit number, rather than a 3-digit number.

Salute

This simple game is all about encouraging maths talk and vocabulary.

What you need to play:

Two willing participants
Cards numbered 1-10 (these can be made from a sheet of paper)

How to play:

Start with the two players facing each other. Each person selects a card and sticks it on their forehead so the other player can see.
The person leading the game gives a statement, such as what the sum of the two numbers is, the difference between the two or the product of the two etc.
Each player has to work out what number is on their own card based on what is written on the other person’s head and the rule given.

Adapt Salute for older or more able players and use numbers up to 20.

Multiplication Bingo

Bingo is a fun game enjoyed by people of all ages. This version puts a mathematical twist on the classic as a way to boost multiplication skills.

What you need to play:

Paper to write numbers down on

How to play:

All players write down 5 numbers which are multiples of a given times table. For example: for the 5 times table, players might write 10, 35, 45, 50 and 60.
A third person can lead the game and call out multiplication questions from the chosen times table.
If a player has the correct answer to the question on their bingo board, they can cross it out. First person to cross out all their numbers is the winner.

Multiplication Bingo using the 5 times table.

To develop mental maths skills, challenge pupils with the times tables used for multiplication bingo.

Scavenger Hunt

All children enjoy a scavenger hunt, so why not make one based around maths?

What you need to play

Some creativity
A garden or home full of measurable objects!

How to play:

Give children a grid with some pre-set weights and lengths on. Challenge them to find something in the garden that is approximately 10cm long, or something in the house that weighs 300g, for example.
Gather all of the items they think match the weights and lengths on the card, and check how well they have done with some kitchen scales and a tape measure!

Games like these work best when children get individual attention and encouragement. If pupils need extra support building confidence with the maths behind these activities, 1:1 and/or small group work can help reinforce key skills in a low-pressure setting.

The Yes/No Game

This is a great way to practice 2D shapes and 3D shapes.

What you need to play:

A series of cards/pieces of paper

How to play:

Both players put a card on their head. It could have a number on it, a shape etc.
The first player asks a question which can have an answer of ‘yes’ or ‘no’. E.g. ‘Am I odd?’ ‘Am I under 20?’ ‘Do I have 4 sides?’
They keep asking questions until they get the correct answer or run out of turns. You can set this at the beginning.
Players switch over.

Five To One

This game tests children’s reasoning and problem solving skills while bringing an element of competition.

What you need to play:

Cards with maths statements written on them
Two players

How to play:

Player 1 picks a card containing five statements. Each of the five statements provide a clue to the final answer. Statements start with a vague clue and build to an easy clue for the fifth statement.
This player picks a card and reads out the first statement. E.g. ‘This shape has four sides’.
Player two can choose to give the answer and gain the maximum five points, if they are correct. But, they risk scoring zero if they are wrong.Alternatively, they can choose to hear the next statement for four points. They keep going until they get a question wrong. Or they choose to pass to hear the next question until they get to the final one point question.

24

This is a very simple game that will help children practice their arithmetic skills and develop their mental maths skills.

What you need to play:

A pack of playing cards (no picture cards)

How to play:

Each player picks 4 cards at random from the pile.
They then need to find a way to manipulate the 4 digits using any of the 4 operations (+, -, x, ÷) so the end result is 24 For example, if they chose 4, 7, 8, 8, they could do (7 – (8÷8) x 4 = 24)
If nobody can reach 24, you can make it closest wins!

5 Of A Kind

This is a tricky maths card game that will truly put children’s maths skills and knowledge to the test.

What you need to play:

5 sets of cards numbered 2-9

How to play:

The first player picks a card numbered from 2 – 9.
They then collect another 4 cards with the same number as the first, so they have 5 cards with the same number.
The aim is to use one or more of the five cards to make each digit between one and ten.

For example, the player chose a 5. They would then need to use one or more of the cards to find the answer 1, 2, 3…… To make 1, they could do 5 ÷ 5, to make 2 they could do (5 ÷ 5) + (5 ÷ 5) etc….

The great outdoors and maths go hand in hand. These outdoor activities should serve as inspiration about how you can help children learn maths while outdoors!

Life Size Board Games

Board games are a fun whether played online or in real life. But have you ever thought about becoming part of the board game?

For outside maths learning, you can make a life size board game and become the characters in the game.

What you need to play:

Paper plates (or even just sheets of paper will do)
A large dice (or a cube shaped box which can be made into a dice)
A dose of creativity!

How to play:

Use paper plates to make the board game squares. If you don’t have access to a large dice, a cube shaped box will do instead.
The board games you play will vary depending on children’s age. With younger children, number the plates to encourage counting or learning their number bonds. For older children, you could have times tables or harder maths questions to answer as they move round the board.

Multiplication Hopscotch

Everyone knows how to play hopscotch. Introducing maths into the mix can turn this traditional playground game into a quick fire questions for multiplication.

What you need to play:

Chalk

How to play:

Using chalk, draw out hopscotch squares on the ground and in each square, write either multiples or multiplication facts.
Each person then hops, skips and counts the multiples at the same time. This is a good way to help those multiplication tables stick.

Alternatively call out a quick fire question and ask pupils to land on the answer.

Adapt for upper primary levels by using prime numbers or square numbers.

Telling The Time Activity

Often, children find telling the time difficult. It’s an abstract concept. This game will help children tackle telling the time.

What you need to play:

Chalk

How to play:

Draw a clock on the ground with chalk.
Call out a time.
Children make the hands of the clock. They could show just the hour or minute hands by lying straight, or they could use their body to make the hour and the minute hands, with their legs as the minute hand and their torso as the hour hand.

I hope you enjoy playing some of these games as a family.

If you have any questions about Mathematics at St Cecilia's please contact:

Kate Sutherland, Mathematics Leader - ksutherland@scgleniris.catholic.edu.au