By Rameen Naviwala
Are you on the lookout for engaging math games to captivate your elementary school students? Fortunately, many math games promise enjoyment for your students and convey valuable math lessons. With these games, you can capture your students’ attention while delivering essential mathematical concepts. Here are four fun and interactive math games for elementary grades.
1. Addition and Subtraction Bingo
Begin by preparing bingo cards and jotting down answers to simple addition and subtraction problems. Distribute these cards to your students. When you call out a number during the game, read the corresponding math equation. For example, if you say “14 – 5,” whoever circles “9” on their bingo card earns a point. Continue until someone achieves bingo and wins the game. This game promotes quick thinking and enhances addition and subtraction skills.
2. Math Twister
Create a Twister mat and label each color with a number instead. Call out equations while your students locate the solution on the mat. For instance, instead of saying “right hand on the green,” you would say “left foot on 9 x 5,” and students would find the number 45. This game introduces the world of multiplication and division in a high-tension, enjoyable setting, challenging students to apply their skills.
3. Hot Potato
Take a plastic ball (or an actual potato) and tape various math questions onto it. Form a circle with your students and pass the “hot potato” while music plays. The student holding the ball must answer a question when the music stops. Correct answers keep them in the game, while incorrect answers result in elimination. This game encourages quick thinking and adds an element of fun to math challenges.
4. Math Jeopardy
Bring the classic game show “Jeopardy” into your classroom by creating your own Jeopardy board with categories and point values. Use diverse categories like multiplication, fractions, graphing, long division, and basic geometry. Split your class into two teams, allowing them to pick cards and earn or lose points based on their answers. This adaptation of a familiar game show makes learning math an engaging and competitive experience.
These are a few examples of the interactive math games your elementary school students can enjoy. These games enhance their mathematical skills and make learning a dynamic and enjoyable experience. For additional resources on fun and interactive math games for elementary students, explore NSTEM’s vast database, which provides thousands of STEM resources searchable by category, school level, and state.
Do you want more resources on the topic of math games for elementary students? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of searchable STEM resources by category, school level, and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
Grades 3-5 continue the STEM education journey, where students are interested in the natural world and in how things work, responding to stories told by teachers that give purpose and meaning to STEM disciplines, which molds them into thinkers, problem solvers, and creators. The National STEM Honor Society sees grades 3-5 as a critical point in the NSTEM journey. To start your grade 3-5 chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.
