In "Fishing for Math" children are to "fish" for answers to addition problems. This game is ideal for groups of two or three. Create fishing rods by taping or hot gluing a magnet on to a piece of yarn, and tying the other end onto a wooden dowel or a stick. Create the "fishes" by punching holes onto the corners of a couple of index cards and hooping a paperclip through the hole. Clearly write a number on each side of the index cards with a marker. Write an addition problem on a chalkboard and allow the children to "fish" for the answers. The first child to "catch" the answer wins a point. A child with the most points at the end of an allotted period of time, wins.
An important mathematical skill is the ability to measure. Take a stock card or computer paper and use a ruler to draw lines of varying lengths across it. On an inconspicuous corner, use the ruler to draw a line exactly 1 inch long and another line exactly 1 centimeter long. This game can be played with a single child or a group of children. Tell the children to use the 1 inch and 1 centimeter line as a reference and to guess the lengths of the lines in centimeters and inches. The child that has the closest measurements wins. Make it entertaining by incorporating candy for prizes for the winning child.
Cooking deals with careful measurements of ingredients. Many children will be intrigued and will enjoy helping their parents cook a delicious meal. Pick a favorite meal from a cook book and go to the kitchen with your little assistant. If the ingredients require a certain amount of eggs, then ask the child to open a carton of eggs and select the required amount of eggs. If the ingredients require cups of flour, then allow him to pour the flour into the cups, asking him to count the amount of cups out loud. This activity will help strengthen his ability to count, as well as potentially help improve his future culinary skills.
Go to the website for Primary Games. Check the "Resources" section for a link. This website specializes in math facts and trivia questions, as well as games that facilitate strategic thinking.
Visit the Prongo website. There will be a link in the "Resources" section. This website offers games that are catered to the 3- to 12-year-old demographic and has games that are suitable for many grade levels. It offers simple math games, as well as interesting games for older kids. Kids can play a game of tic-tac-toe against a computer or their friends. Puzzles and checker games help strengthen the child's ability to count, as well as help improve tact and strategic thinking.
Arcademic Skillbuilders' website offers interactive math games and lessons in basic math. It offers competition play, allowing children to play math games with their friends or the computer. The website helps promote memorization of basic math terms, as well as help facilitate speedy calculation of math problems.