Math Games to Get AND Keep Them Engaged

Updated July 2015

It's that time of year when children just can't wait for summer vacation to begin, and parents are more than a little anxious about plans for keeping them busy---all summer long.

As we mentioned in last week's article, Reading Games to Get AND Keep Their Attention, it's important to help children avoid the dreaded Summer Slide, the loss of learning and developed skills during the three-month break before the new school year. In that same article, we served up a collection of literacy games for children of all ages to play, to help retain those skills and to be ready for the next academic year.

This week, however, we wanted to provide you with a similar list of math game resources to appeal to the budding mathematicians in your families or the math wizards in your classroom. Even if a child you know is not interested in developing better math skills (or doesn't like math at all!), these games just might turn the tide and entertain that same child while teaching some much-needed math skills, too.

We think you'll discover that these math games will get AND keep them engaged---all summer long!

Online Games Math Games

playKidsgames---A collection of online math games for all ages (FREE)
http://www.playkidsgames.com/mathGames.htm

Math Games---from PBS
A large group of math games to make math learning fun for children K-6! (FREE)
http://pbskids.org/games/math/

Kids' Math Games---Enjoy a wide range of free, online math games, interactive learning activities and "fun" educational resources that will engage students while they learn mathematics. Find cool math games, interesting facts, printable worksheets, quizzes, videos and so much more! (FREE)
http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/

IXL Learning---Online math practice games that seem like play! IXL Learning provides comprehensive, standards-aligned math (and language arts practice) for K–12. (FREE but with some promotional elements)
http://www.ixl.com/promo?partner=bing&campaign=1420&adGroup=math+games+%2F+kids&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search+-+General+-+Exact+-+Global&utm_term=math%20games%20for%20kids

Offline Games Math Games

Tally Mark Dominoes & Speed Racer Math Games---by A. McDonald, No Time for Flashcards
Learning after school at Ms. McDonald's house has to be fast-paced and fun. These math games are both. They are also a cinch to make and inexpensive, too.
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/10/tally-mark-dominoes-and-speed-racer-math-games.html

LEGO Math Games---by Cathy James
Do you have a child who just loves to play with LEGOs? LEGOs are a classic, open-ended toy that can be used in so many different ways by creative kids---even with MATH!
http://nurturestore.co.uk/lego-math-games

Secret Code For Kids---by A. McDonald, No Time for Flashcards
This math game can especially appeal to children interested in secret codes and spies!(K-3)
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2013/06/secret-code-for-kids-math-activity.html

Make Your Own Math Games---from TeachMama
No matter what you need to practice, a make-your-own math game is the ticket to practice that's FUN!
http://teachmama.com/math-writing-stem-apps-for-kids-tabletop-surprises/#_a5y_p=1245165

Unschooling Tools: Games---from Stephanie, Ordinary Life Magic
Lists of boxed games available to help teach specific math concepts.
http://www.ordinarylifemagic.com/2012/03/unschooling-tools-games.html

Other Helpful Math Resources

Tools for Math Games at Home---by Erica MomandKiddo, What Do We Do All Day?
Ten, handy tools you can use with math games! You probably have most of them in a nearby closet or drawer!
http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2012/02/tools-for-math-games-at-home.html

40+ Resources Involving Dice---from KB...Connected
Math games, printable dice, virtual dice, math centers, ancient dice games, create your own dice and much more!
http://kbkonnected.tumblr.com/post/12928926198/40-resources-for-dice-and-everything-dice

SPECIAL NOTE: To access the companion article to the above post, just click on its title here: Reading Games to Get AND Keep Their Attention (K-12)

For more information on customizable reading tools for better focus & improved attention, please visit:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of:
Pixabay.com at http://pixabay.com/en/cube-number-cube-color-play-205289/ and
Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com

Marvelous Math Morsels for Young Mathematicians

Do you have a child or teen who prefers to work with numbers rather than read stories? Is your child self-motivated to learn math above her grade level? Would you like a ready list of FREE yet excellent math links at the ready for the next rainy day?

Well, here is just the list for you. You will find almost any grade/math level needed, too. Several will allow your child to work independently from his current grade level in math to any level he chooses (even through college calculus!)

If you need help encouraging your child to brush up on her math skills over the summer, you might suggest links #6 or #8 below here. You will see her
become excited about math in no time because these links will provide some great online math games to enjoy!

So, try a few of these links and please let us know which one(s) work best with your child(ren) and why. We would love to hear from you!

1. www.brightstorm.com/math 2,000+ FREE Math Videos – Every Topic in Algebra through Calculus! Excellent site.

2. www.mathforum.org/mathmagic/ A “bountiful” offering of math resources is listed here by grade level.

3. www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/ Please visit this site for explanations and examples covering decimals, percents, integers, probability, and much more. (Very good for 6th-8th grade math)

4. www.mathmammoth.com/worksheets/free.php Free sample math worksheet downloads (for Grades 1-9)

5. www.freemathhelp.com/ Here there are many math help resources available, including math lessons, math games, and a math help message board.

6. www.cut-the-knot.org/games.shtml Link to many MATH GAMES for ALL grade levels---Great site for practice AND fun!

7. www.algebrahelp.com/index.jsp This is another great website for those times when a student needs help with solving algebra problems.

8. www.learn-with-math-games.com/index.html Various math games for K through Middle School. Includes interactive as well as printable math games.

9. www.dadsworksheets.com/v1/Timer.html Use this free, web-based countdown timer to time math worksheets, quizzes, tests, projects, games, or other classroom activities. 100% JavaScript... Nothing to download, no software installation. This timer is perfect for math practice, writing assignments or any other school work activity that has a time limit. Enjoy!

10. step.nn.k12.va.us/math/middlemath/ppt/mid_math_ppt.htm Try these math PowerPoint presentations all ready to go for middle school students!

11. www.math.com Choose the appropriate level from the left sidebar. Then begin to answer the math problems presented at that level. You will receive immediate feedback about your answers. Investigate the "1-2-3-4 Step" feature where you can find explanations, examples, etc. for the math problems presented. How many problems will you answer correctly?

12. www.khanacademy.org/ Math tutorial videos and practice on any level---FREE! (YouTube videos)---Also, many other tutorials for various content areas (over 2,100 lessons online)

13. http://empowerkidz.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/math-made-fun/ An article by Anupma Sethi that includes a GREAT list of interesting, educational math activities and resources for kids to do themselves!

For more information:
www.FocusandRead.com For ADHD focusing tools that work!
www.BrennanInnovators.com For ADHD info and support
314-892-3897

Graphic courtesy of: http://www.school-clip-art.com/