Fun Games To Teach Math Concepts

Looking for some fun math related games for your kiddos?  Here are a few:

  

Percent Shopping

URL mathplayground.com/percent_shopping.html
Levels
Grades 4-6
Skills
Percentage, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
Description
Description: Learn and practice real-life calculations while shopping. Add up the total cost, apply the percentage discount and calculate the amount saved.

Spiro Math Art

URL mathplayground.com/Spiromath.html
Levels
Grades K-6
Skills
Reflection, Angle, Symmetry, Spiro graph
Description
Explore angles, symmetry and art. Experiment by changing the radius of different parts, and separate them using colors to design your own Spiro graph. Predict different shapes and then try making them using only the radius knowledge.

Part Part Whole

URL mathplayground.com/PartPartWhole.html
Levels
Grades 3-6
Skills
Creating whole numbers from fractions and decimals.
Description
Test your math skills and race against the clock by aiming at the number that completes the "whole" number in the air. This game requires knowledge of addition, subtraction, decimals and fractions.

Alien Angles

URL mathplayground.com/alienangles.html
Levels
Grades 4-6
Skills
Solving estimating angles.
Description
Friendly aliens are traveling to a new space colony on Planet Geometry. Sadly, some aliens have lost their way. Students have been put in charge of the rescue mission and must set the correct angle on the rescue launcher. The computer will generate the launch angle, but the students must estimate the angle on the launcher to within 5 degrees.

Making Change

URL mathplayground.com/making_change.html
Levels
Grades 2-5
Skills
Money and making change.
Description
Harvey has been hired to work as a cashier at Perfect Pets. Sadly, he's not very good at his job. The students' task is to show Harvey how to make change. They are given the total cost of the customers' purchases and the amount the customers pay. Drag the fewest possible coins and bills to the counter to make the change.

Escape From Fraction Manor

URL
mathplayground.com/HauntedFractions/HFGameLoader.html
Levels
Grades 3-5
Skills
Solving basic math and fraction problems.
Description
Cleo the Cat has wandered into Fraction Manor, and the resident scientist, Dr. Fractionstein, sees this as an opportunity to test his new puzzles. Cleo is trapped, and students must use their fraction skills to solve the puzzles and help free her. Encounter obstacles, villains and plenty of math problems.

Free Printable Summer Reading Chart

I love this freebie from Busy Mommy Media! This free printable summer reading chart is a great way to motivate your kiddos to read.  Not only do they get the incentive of earning a reward for reading, but there is a great sense of satisfaction in completing the task of reading as many books as they can.  Print one out for each child and be ready to reap the rewards of amazing readers! 

You might want to laminate it to use for future years as well.

Free Printable Summer Reading Chart

Fun Games to Teach Science Concepts

 

 

The Food Chain Game

URL:  sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/games/foodchaingame.swf

Levels:  Grades 2-6
Description:  In this fun science activity, students learn about food chains and the circle of life. Presented with several elements of a particular food chain, players must put them in the proper order. When correctly placed, the food chain comes to life.

A Touch of Class

URL:  sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/class.html

Levels:  Grades K-6
Description: Faced with a selection of uncategorized plants and animals, students must decide how to classify each one. Points are awarded for correct classifications, with the highest scorer being named the winner.

Squish the Fish

URL: sea.sheddaquarium.org/sea/squish/flash.html

Levels:  Grades K-3
Description:  Students must help hide Squish the Fish from his natural enemy. In the process they will learn about various marine life and how an ecosystem works. Students win the game by successfully hiding Squish in each of the levels.

Solar Energy Defenders

URL:  Wonderville.ca/asset/solarenergydefenders
Levels:  Grades 3-6
Description:  Use what you learn about solar energy to save the school dance from vampires in this super-cool solar energy game. Last time a dance was held, the vampires came in and busted a move on the dance floor. We won’t let that happen again! Collect energy during the day to ward off the vampires at night. Consider sun angle, tilt, shadows and time of year to maximize your energy collection.

Wild Weather Adventure

URL:  spaceplace.nasa.gov/wild-weather-adventure/
Levels:  Grades 3-6
Description: Play the Wild Weather Adventure game and your weather research blimp will explore Earth and its weather. With luck, skill, and strategy, you will race other weather research blimps to be first to travel all the way around the world and win the game. You can play with your friends or by yourself with a computer opponent.

9 Amazing Ways To Keep Your Brain Active This Summer

Although most people think of summer as a time for rest and relaxation, it’s also important for kids to find ways to keep their brains sharp throughout those off-school days. Check out this fun info-toon with nine fine ways to “exercise your noodle” this summer!

To download and print it, click the image below, or click here.

Multiplying Decimals Practice Using Dice

Is your kiddo struggling to master multiplication with decimals?  I love this idea from The Mailbox to use a pair of dice to practice. Essentially, you take a pair of dice, roll them, and then use those numbers to write a decimal putting the digits wherever you would like.  Then you multiply the two numbers.  Easy, and super motivating.  I don't know about your kiddos, but mine love just about anything to do with rolling dice - it makes it a game.

You could modify this idea in so many different ways for different ages and skill levels!  Here are a few I thought of:

1. Add the digits
2. Multiply the digits
3. Divide the digits
4. Add, subtract, or divide decimals
5. Use each digit to make a fraction, roll again for a second fraction then add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

Can you think of any other ways to use this idea?

Gardening With Your Kids

I will be the first person to admit, I was not born with a green thumb!  But.. that has not stopped my boys from begging to garden!  They have asked to plant just about anything they can think of and surprisingly enough, they are great little gardeners! Here are a few tips for teaching your child how to garden:

• Start Slow - Focus on only one or two types of plants when you first start out.  That way you aren't overwhelmed and you can work out the mistakes with less risk.
• Choose Fast Growing Plants - Kids are not known for their patience!  If you grow something that takes a long time to grow, your child might lose interest.  We have been successful with bean plants, lettuce, and spinach.
• Plant Things Your Child Likes - One of my boys' favorite garden items were pumpkins for Halloween!  If your child enjoys what is growing, they will want to help out.
• Let Them Be In Charge - If you aren't ready to hand over the whole garden, you might want to give your child a section of the garden that they are responsible for. 

May Highlights Hidden Pictures

Highlight's Hidden Pictures are a great way to have fun with your child—and help develop their concentration and attention to detail. Work together to find the objects in May's Hidden Pictures puzzle.