Preschoolers and kindergartners can have fun playing counting games with file folders. For this game, draw or paint pictures of flowers, pizza slices and watermelons all over the file folder. Students will have to count how many petals are on the flowers, how many pepperonis are on the pizza slices and how many seeds are in the watermelon. Make sure to leave room underneath each picture for students to write down the answer. Or, if you wish to reuse the file folder game, apply Velcro beneath the images, create cut-out numbers and apply the corresponding strip of Velcro to the back of the numbers. Kids can then attach the number to the correct image without writing on the file folder.
You can create addition math games on file folders for students who are still learning basic math skills. Create rows or columns of boxes, and within each box write a number. Leave the last box in the column or row blank. Kids will have to fill in the last box by adding the other numbers in the column or row together to get the final answer. If you wish to allow students to check their answers, create an answer key on the back of the file folder so that students can make sure they are on track.
Number sequence games help kids learn how to identify patterns in numerical relationships, which can help them take on more advanced math concepts. Similar to the addition game, create a row of boxes with numbers that make up a particular pattern. Leave a few boxes blank and have students see if they can fill in the blank with the correct numbers in the sequence.
You can teach kids basic math concepts through games that allow kids to sort, count, add or subtract money. For younger kids, start out with change, such as pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. You can go up to large bills for kids that are a little older. Use the file folder to draw images of money, leaving room beneath the images for kids to write down the total number of change. You can also create pictorial equations for kids to solve, such as one penny plus one nickel equals six cents. Kids will have to write in the answer.