When you are searching for printable math games to use in your classroom as a fun way to reinforce math skills, there are certain types of games that the students seem to respond positively to. Some of simply variations of old favorites and others are adaptations of newer games and some are unique to math. Making math more fun for your students can easily be accomplished if you find good resources for these kinds of games.
Here is a list of ten games for teachers to play with their math students
Customized Board Game Template
- Teachers will write relevant problems in the blank spaces.
- Students roll the dice or spin the spinner and solve the problems as they land on spaces.
- A blank game, laminated, allows the spaces to be changed by using a acetate pen.
- Print out one copy, then customize it and run off however many copies you need.
Sudoko like puzzles
- These are popular and a powerful higher level thinking skill activity.
- I cannot imagine what it takes to create one on your own, the placement of the numbers needs to be just right!
Pencil and Paper Two Player Games
- Sadly most students have never played some of these old favorites.
- Battleship can be adapted to math.
- Tic Tac Toe with templates that have math problems in the squares are always fun.
- Math Hangman is not one normally thought of in mathematical form, but can be done.
Bingo
- Use pre-filled boards with answers and call out specific problems.
- Having some blank templates allow individualization to student’s needs.
Dominoes
- Using dominoes is so easily adapted to all operations and functions.
- This game also builds some strategy practice.
Solving Codes
- Students love to play detective!
- This is another great higher level thinking activity mixed in with basic skills reinforcement.
Card Games
- Snap! Is still a popular card game and easy to adapt to math.
- Go Fish! and Memory are standards and adaptations are found everywhere.
- Printable custom designed cards make this easy to create for your students.
Game Show Adaptations
- Jeopardy is already popular in many classroom and students love it.
- There are other Game Show based games that can be used as well.
Twenty Questions
- This game teaches how to use process of elimination while solving math problems.
- It also reinforces language skills by the careful wording of the questions.
Nim
- This ancient game is still relevant today.
- It also uses creative problem solving skills.
These are just a quick sample of the types of games for teachers to play with their students. They can look to see if they are included when purchasing printable math games. Many of the old standards the children will never have played at home, so these will be like a brand new game for them. Using games is one of the tools available to help teachers with making math more fun for their students.
It is absolutely possible for a teacher to make the material and activities they use challenging and still have fun in their classroom. Keeping the students interested, active and engaged makes the biggest difference in their overall learning experience.
