Math Games with Dice and Cards

Do you want your child to practice math at home with you? Why not make it fun and play some games that practice their math skills at the same time?! These games would be great for kids ages 5-9 depending on how you adapt the game - practicing addition or greater than/less than with younger children and multiplication and division with the older ones.

Here are a few games that you can try:

1. War: I'm sure we're all familiar with the game, War. You and another player split the deck in half. Each player flips their card into the middle to see which card is bigger. The player with the bigger card gets both cards. You play until one person has ALL of the cards. This game is great for young children who are learning which numbers are bigger or smaller. Parents/caregivers can use the terms “less than” or “more than” to add in the math language.

2. Dice War: Similar to war, the aim of this two player game is to roll the larger number and get all the counters (rocks, pennies, goldfish, etc.). The players start with 2 dice and 5 counters. The players roll their own dice and add them together and then see which player has more. The player with the larger number on their two dice gets to take a counter from the other player. Play until one player has all the counters! (If you want to make this game more challenging, you can subtract the dice or even multiple the dice.)

3. Roll to 100: All you need is a hundred chart and 1-2 dice. The first player to 100 wins! You can play with either one or two die. If you play with one you are simply rolling and adding to the previous number you marked on the hundred chart. If you want to add a little more difficulty, roll two dice, add them together and then add that number to the number you have on the hundred chart.

4. Dice Multiplication: Roll two dice and multiple them together. I like to scaffold this game by using the groups of strategy. Roll the first dice, if you rolled a 5, draw five circles. Roll the second dice, if you rolled a 3, draw 3 dots in each circle. This gives your child the visual of 5 groups of 3 equals 15. (This game can easily be adapted for addition practice instead of multiplication!)

I hope these games will help you and your littles practice a little math while having some fun!