Fun Math Games For Kids

Is your kid struggling with math? If so, just the suggestion of practicing with flash cards or worksheets likely elicits a major eyeroll or tears. Instead of making math a punishment (for you as well), try math games.

We've rounded up some of our favourites. They include bingo, a game of 20 questions, and a creative math-themed scavenger hunt!

Why math games are important for child development

John Bianchette, vice president of education and training at Mathnasium, a network of math learning centers, emphasizes the importance of math skills in everyday life. He points out that these skills are crucial because they influence nearly every area we encounter.

He explains, “Being comfortable with numbers, patterns and logical thinking is beneficial in almost any profession, from technology and business to solving daily problems. Whether you’re budgeting, analyzing data trends or addressing complex engineering issues, math serves as the foundation.”

“When kids find math enjoyable and rewarding, they begin to see themselves as capable problem-solvers. This change in mindset during their early years equips them to handle more advanced concepts later on.”

Benefits of math games for children

Learning through play

"Playing creates a relaxed and engaging atmosphere where kids feel at ease to take risks and try new things," explains Bianchette. "This approach fosters a mindset that helps children enhance their math skills, transforming math from a tedious task into an enjoyable challenge."

Screen-free fun

Unlike digital games, Bianchette suggests that screen-free math games promote hands-on learning and boost cognitive development.

"Physical interaction with materials—like cards, dice or puzzles—helps reinforce memory, improve concentration and develop problem-solving skills," he says. "These activities also engage children in a way that screens can’t, encouraging active participation and critical thinking."

Sharpens thinking and problem-solving skills

"Math games help kids develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by presenting challenges that encourage them to plan, adapt and reflect," Bianchette notes. "Whether it’s estimating a move, spotting patterns, or troubleshooting an incorrect answer, these games foster flexible thinking and perseverance."

Reduces math anxiety

Math anxiety can be a significant barrier for many students, and Bianchette points out that it often begins early.

"Math games can help change that by removing the pressure of high-stakes testing and replacing it with curiosity and exploration," he explains. "Games offer multiple paths to success, encourage risk-taking, and normalize mistakes as part of the learning process."

Fun Math Games for Kids

Math Bingo

Combines Bingo with math problems.

• Age range:  Ages five and up.
• Materials: Bingo cards, markers (coins or chips) and a list of math questions.
• Instructions: Distribute cards to each player. The caller then presents math problems or rolls the dice. Players solve the problems and mark their answers on their cards. The first player to complete a line shouts "Bingo!" and wins.
• Modifications: Create customized boards or use more advanced math problems.

Domino Math

Teaches math concepts like addition, multiplication, and pattern recognition.

• Age Range: Ages three to eight.
• Materials: Standard or math domino set.
• Instructions: Start with one domino in the center. Players match dominoes by solving math problems (e.g., sum or product). If unable to move, draw a domino. Play ends when a player uses all their dominoes; the winner has the fewest left.
• Modifications: Use larger sets or add timed turns.

Math Dice Games

Uses dice to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

• Age Range: Ages six to 12.
• Materials: Dice, scoreboards, and pencils.
• Instructions: Roll the dice to create target numbers. Use math operations on rolled numbers to match or get close to targets. Score points for correct equations. Take turns until a set goal is reached; the highest score wins.
• Modifications: Add more dice or try timed challenges.

Online Math Games

Online games reinforce math concepts and make learning math fun.

• Age Range: Pre-K and up
• Materials: Computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
• Instructions: Choose online math games from sources kike Prodigy, Khan Academy Kids or Coolmath Games.
• Modifications: Adjust game difficulty.

Math Scavenger Hunt

Hide prizes or objects around the house and have children solve math problems to find them.

• Age Range: Ages six and up.
• Materials: List of clues, prizes, pencils and paper for solving math problems.
• Instructions: Prepare math clues or tasks, hide them and have kids solve to collect answers or items. Check answers and award prizes.
• Modifications: Try team challenges, set a time limit, or play indoors or outdoors.

LEGO Math

Teaches counting, addition, subtraction and fractions.

• Age Range: Ages four and up.
• Materials: LEGO bricks.
• Instructions: Count individual bricks, add or subtract by combining or removing stacks and visualize fractions by comparing smaller bricks to a larger whole.
• Modifications: Use colour-coded bricks for extra challenges.

Sidewalk Chalk Math

Use sidewalk chalk to draw math problems and have children solve them.

• Age Range: Ages five and up.
• Materials: Sidewalk chalk.
• Instructions: Pick a math skill (addition, subtraction, etc.). Draw problems, numbers or shapes on the ground. Erase and add new problems as needed.
• Modifications: Try a variety of math skills and concepts.

Money Math

Use play money to teach counting, addition, subtraction, and making change.

• Age Range: Ages five and up.
• Materials: Play money and small items for purchasing. Or try classic money games like Monopoly or Monopoly Junior.
• Instructions: Introduce coins and bills, discussing their values. Practice counting totals with play money. Set up a play store to buy items, add prices and make change. Play money-themed games for extra practice.
• Modifications: Add challenges like making change or budgeting.

Math games to play on the go

Try any of these fun games while travelling or waiting (e.g., in the car or at the doctor's office). No materials needed.

• "I Spy" with Shapes: Identify shapes in the environment.

• License Plate Math: Use the numbers on license plates to create math problems.

• Number Sequencing: Have children count forward or backward from a given number.

• Mental Math Challenges: Pose simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems.

• 20 Questions (Math Version): Think of a number and have children guess it using yes/no questions.

Tips for making math games engaging

To make math games engaging, try these expert-backed tips:

Make it personal

To truly engage kids in math games, Caroline Farkas, the founder and CEO of Doodles and Digits—an educational company focused on making math enjoyable, visual and accessible for upper elementary students—recommends tying these games to your child's personal interests.

"Think about incorporating themes kids love—whether it's superheroes, animals, or even cooking," Farkas explains. "Math is in the world around us. So use your child’s interest, whether it's cooking, relating it to sports or counting money, etc."

Involve the whole family

"Making math a group activity can be a great way to encourage learning," says Jordan Conrad, PhD, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. "For example, you might have the family solve math puzzles to earn prizes, or create an at-home ‘escape room’ where each person gets a key after completing a problem. These activities can be a really fun way to get kids engaged.”

Keep it short and sweet

Farkas points out that kids generally have shorter attention spans, so it's beneficial to limit math games to just five to ten minutes.

"This helps them stay focused, prevents boredom, and lets them end the activity while they're still having fun," she explains. "That's so important for building a positive relationship with math. We want them to think, 'That was fun! Let's do it again!' not, 'Ugh, another math game.' Short, engaging bursts of math play are far more effective in the long run."

The bottom line

Using math games can make learning math more exciting and help your child hold onto new concepts better. These games also encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning, and can even reduce math-related anxiety.

To keep things enjoyable, keep the games brief and invite the whole family to join in. That way, math becomes a fun experience rather than a chore for your child.

Experts

• John Bianchette is the vice President of Education and Training at Mathnasium, a global network of math learning centers.
• Jordan Conrad, PhD, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist based in New York City.
• Caroline Farkas is the founder and CEO of Doodles and Digits, an educational company dedicated to making math fun, visual, and accessible for upper elementary students.