Numeracy Learning Games
- Calculators can assist children who struggle with memorizing math facts.calculator #4 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
Numeracy is an important skill to build in young children. Teaching basic math skills, symbols and processes sets the foundation for children to understand higher levels of math and logic. Numeracy skills allow children to use their knowledge in everyday situations. Teaching children math concepts through games and activities helps them connect the concepts with real-life experience. - Counting games set the basis for learning numeracy skills and help children understand the concept of one-to-one correspondence.
Eggy-Steady (see Resources) is a game that asks children to count the eggs that a hen lays. This counting game teaches children one-to-one correspondence, because each egg is counted once.
In the game Seahorse Counting (see Resources), children help save seahorses by counting correctly and clicking on the right answer. This game reinforces counting skills, one-to-one correspondence and number recognition.
Fishy Count (see Resources) builds counting skills. Kids count fish and choose the shell that has the right number on it. It also helps children learn number recognition. - Simple addition and subtraction skills should be automatic for most kids after grade three. To build these skills and commit them to memory, play interactive games that drill math facts.
Math Fact Practice (see Resources) is a timed math fact drill game that will thrill kids with an edge of competitiveness. Children must answer math problems as quick as they can while racing against the clock. This game motivates kids to commit math facts to memory.
In Feed Fribbit Subtraction/Addition (see Resources), Fribbit, a friendly frog helps kids learn addition and subtraction facts and solve addition and subtraction problems. - Knowing your multiplication tables is key to understanding concepts in higher math. Try some games with kids who have a hard time committing them to memory using flash cards.
Crazy Taxi M-12 (see Resources) is a fast-paced game that will have kids reciting their times tables just so they can beat the game. To crash the taxi into the correct cars, children need to know their multiples. The game asks the taxi driver to crash into cars that have certain multiples on them and avoid others. This game reinforces multiplication facts, factoring skills and helps kids learn multiples.
Multiplication Tunnel Blaster (see Resources) has kids blasting through walls and steering their ships to safety all while learning their multiplication tables. Kids must solve the multiplication problem to get a chance to shoot through walls before their ships get crushed. Each wall has an answer on it, but they must shoot the correct answer to win. - Division is an important skill to develop and is the stepping stone to understanding more difficult math concepts. Reinforce division skills with games that motivate.
Division Calculator Quizzer (see Resources) is a simple quiz game that is fun for kids who like to beat their own scores. They are given division problems to solve, and they must answer them correctly before moving on to harder problems.
In Math Baseball (see Resources), children choose division problems, and answer them correctly to get a hit. This game motivates kids to learn division by having them solve problems to get a hit, a run and a then a home run. Each correct answer brings you closer to a home run. - Fractions can be fun when learning them while playing interactive games.
In Fraction Splat (see Resources), children click on the correct fraction as fast as they can and watch it splat. This game is fast-paced and motivational. It teaches kids about mixed numbers and the value of fractions.
In Fractone (see Resources), children pair fractions together that add up to a whole to win this game. This game teaches children to add fractions. The goal is to click two fractions that will add up to one. - Math games that apply math to real life allow children to learn through making connections. This is the best way to show children why math is important.
Lemonade Stand (see Resources) teaches kids that running a business means handling money and using numeracy skills. It teaches kids addition and subtraction as they run a cash register and order products. Real-life application makes this game a winner.
Measure It (see Resources) teaches measuring skills, using inches and centimeters. Children will learn English or metric measuring systems as they measure lines with a ruler.
Coffee Shop (see Resources) is another true-to-life business game that has children purchasing supplies, pricing items and using math skills. Children can brush up on addition and subtraction with whole numbers and decimals in this game.
