Maths and fun are two words that many of us have trouble associating with one another. In reality, people more typically link math with being challenging and far from enjoyable.
However, parents and educators significantly influence this perception through the way they introduce math and mathematical concepts to children.
Increasingly, there is a greater focus on introducing maths earlier to children and the importance of making it fun.
Studies have linked this approach with greater retention of learning and more flexible thinking. Other observed outcomes include improved confidence and enhanced academic success in childhood and beyond.
So how do parents make learning maths fun for their kids? One easily accessible and enjoyable option for the whole family is through board games.
How Do Board Games Support Mathematical Learning?
If you’re someone who has never enjoyed maths but loves board games, you may be wondering how this connection works.
Simple actions can support math development, such as counting spaces to move on the board. Even scoring points support the development of mathematical understanding and skills.
Even if not specifically a math board game, research shows that children can improve mathematical knowledge through playing board games. This includes number recognition, counting, basic operations, and number comprehension.
Additional Benefits Of Board Games
Because board games are fun, children are more likely to engage in the activity compared to simply suggesting practicing math.
This encourages an enthusiasm for learning and provides opportunities to stimulate curiosity and creativity regarding maths in a relaxed setting.
Board games not only benefit learning math but also contribute to the development of critical thinking skills. Other skills developed include problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication as activities that promote strategic thinking.
6 Engaging & Fun Math Board Games For Kids
While not always recognisable as math board games, most board games incorporate mathematical concepts in one form or another.
Before you rush out to find math board games for kids, look at any you may have in the cupboard. Many well-known board games can be adapted to fit a particular maths objective you want to introduce or practice. Most board games can also be adjusted to suit the age of the children playing.
The following are just a few suggestions for math board games for kids that can make for engaged, fun learning.
1. Qwirkle
A hands-on game that uses strategic tile placement, in Qwirkle, players are required to create lines of tiles with matching colours or shapes such as circles, squares, clovers, and stars.
As it involves the use of pattern recognition and spatial reasoning skills, it is ideal for teaching mathematical concepts like geometry, logic, and critical thinking.
Well suited to a variety of ages, it can be adapted to be easier or harder by adjusting the complexity of the patterns.
2. Yahtzee
In Yahtzee, the sole object of the game is to roll five dice and reveal a combination that gives the highest total score. Simple to engage in, players take turns throwing the dice, trying to get the best combination of numbers in one of 13 categories.
As per the rules of the game, different combinations give different scores and each player can roll the dice up to three times per turn.
This is an excellent game for primary-aged children. It promotes a deeper understanding of basic maths operations such as addition, gives practice in fluency with number combinations and helps develop better subitising skills.
3. Monopoly
A classic board game that is familiar in most households, Monopoly creates opportunities to practise basic maths operations such as addition and subtraction. Practice in counting, recognising number relationships and subitising are also offered through this game.
It also introduces how these concepts can be practically applied in everyday life through lessons on money handling and budgeting.
At times a longer game and one that may be too complex for younger children, opting for Monopoly Jr. or Monopoly deal instead can make this more accessible and time-friendly.
4. Scrabble
Most often thought of as a word game, Scrabble is not just about finding the best or longest words to play.
Having a way with words is just one component of winning Scrabble, with maths also playing a key role in terms of strategic thinking and in adding up potential scores to ensure you make the best move.
Just as with Monopoly, Scrabble Jnr. can make this easier to play with younger children, playing in pairs can also be effective and adds to the fun.
5. Connect 4
Connect 4 is a great way to introduce counting, sequencing, strategy and prediction to children. Quick and simple, this game is ideal for younger children who may not yet know more complex mathematical concepts.
However, it can also be easily modified to incorporate more advanced concepts such as addition by using numbered tokens and setting a target number that players must reach to win.
6. Snakes & Ladders
A game even most of our grandparents are familiar with, snakes and ladders involves simple addition and counting, but it is also great for practising number recognition, subitising and spatial sense.
The latter is supported through the snakes moving up and down or images on the board being bigger and smaller. Developing a good spatial sense is essential to mathematical concepts such as geometry and helps to promote flexibility in thinking and problem-solving.
Are There Alternatives To Board Games?
Yes, supporting children to enjoy learning maths is not confined to playing board games. There are several other types of games, including card and tabletop games that can be just as effective.
UNO
Many teachers recommended playing UNO with kids as part of learning math, no matter their age! It is easily adapted to suit different age groups and to allow the teaching of different mathematical concepts.
UNO is a valuable tool for reinforcing mathematical concepts such as number recognition, sequencing, and strategy. It is also a fun way to introduce colours, and numbers and for teaching game rules and good sportsmanship at a very young age.
Dominos
Number recognition, subitising and counting among other skills can all be benefited through playing with dominos, even in very young children.
Whether it’s counting the number of dominos, creating sequences or adding up different number combinations, they make for a great maths manipulative for engaging hands-on learning.
As Dominos provides visual representations of numbers, this can help young children learn to recognise the different ways in which numbers are presented. For older children, playing Dominoes helps to improve thinking and calculative skills.
Other Games We Recommend
At Shichida, we love to incorporate games into every lesson we teach.
Carefully selected to enhance cognitive development, memory skills and mathematical understanding in children, these games can also be played at home, adding opportunities for family bonding and enjoyment.
Some of the other games that we play and recommend include:
– Monkey Scale and many more.
Ways To Enhance Learning During Gameplay
As we’ve talked about previously in our guide about developing an early number sense in children, supporting your children to have fun and learn to love maths doesn’t have to be complicated.
As the above indicates, simply making time to play a board game together as a family can have a lasting and positive impact.
However, should you wish to enhance the focus on a particular mathematical concept and increase your child’s understanding of it through play, there are fun, positive ways to do this too.
We recommend asking guiding questions that promote the learning objective and avoiding giving the answers out where possible. This encourages your child to find the solution themselves while also helping them to feel supported as they do so.
Examples of questions you may like to ask as you play include:
- What do you think the answer might be?
- Can you count the spaces out?
- How might we work the answer out?
- How do you know that’s the answer, can you explain it to me?
- What is your strategy?
- Can you see a pattern?
Talking through how you are playing and how you decide on what move to make can also be very beneficial, children can absorb a lot through just listening and watching.
Shichida Australia – Making Math Fun
At Shichida Australia, we foster holistic development in children by nurturing various skills, including cognitive, emotional, and social through a fun and engaging educational program.
After all, the more we can engage children in enjoyable learning experiences that stimulate their curiosity and creativity, the better!
One way in which we achieve this is to incorporate 20 to 25 age-appropriate, brain-boosting activities and games into every class we teach. An approach that perfectly aligns with the principles and methodologies of Shichida education.
With a range of programs not only in numeracy but also literacy, memory training, critical thinking, problem-solving and more, we help children unlock their full potential and discover a lifelong love of learning.
To learn more about fun ways to engage your children in maths or to experience one of our classes, call 1800 801 699 today.
