Engaging Math Games for Kindergarten Printable Free File Activity TOO!
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We love playing kindergarten math games so students can practice number recognition and basic math facts in a fun way. You will also find a link to free math games at the end of this blog post.
What are Some Printable Math Games to Play?
Kindergarten students love playing with a game board. Young learners respond much better to a game format to help build number sense.
I used to think math fluency was just memorization. Insert mental image of endless flash cards with boring drill activities. Yes, we want students to master basic math concepts, but it is more than just that. We want to teach young children automaticity.
ean? It means I want students to find and use an efficient strategy by using the known to find out the unknown… WHAT on EARTH are you talking about DEEDEE!!! I can hear you screaming at me right now!
Let’s look at this math problem [4-3]. I want students to take the known, “Well, if I had 4 and I took 4 away, I would have nothing left. So if I took one less than 4, it would leave me with one.” NOTE: Students might actually think of this strategy visually, especially if they have been using math journals all year long.
At first, when students are given a problem like 4-3 I don’t want students to memorize the facts; I want them to have useful strategies for problem solving. Are you with me? These are strategies I have taught during math workshop or during our small group math time. However, students need to practice. I want to create a ton of opportunities for them to employ these strategies. Over time, these strategies become automatic and happen in the background. BUT you have to give students LOTS of practice and opportunities to use them.
Fun Math Games to the rescue!
Hello, basic math skills games!
Whenever I make a game for my classroom, I don’t just make one version. I made a BUNCH of versions. Here is why:
- I don’t want to teach new types of games all year long. I don’t have the time. When my students are these playing interactive games during math centers, I am meeting with students. I can not be in two places at once. I can not be interrupted. I do not have a team of adults in my room to keep students independent… it is just ME! So the simple game has to stay the same. The. End!
- BUT playing the same game over and over, all year long is a snooze-fest. Your students will get bored. Solution: new theme. New clipart=A BRAND NEW GAME!!!. “Yes, sunshine! It is a new game!” (psst… it is the same exact game)!
Quick Tip: Teach a fun activity once… play it all year for math fun
We start in September with this fun math activity, Apple Day Math Fluency Game. In September, I don’t even use the addition equation cards or subtraction game cards. Just numerals, number words, subitizing cards, and ten frames.
Then at Halloween time, we have a “brand new game.” Regardless of the grade level students love these fun math activities. I created this game as a two player game, but if you more students working together during center time, you could have three students. You can learn more about how I manage center time by clicking on this blog post:
Naturally, Thanksgiving math game follows right behind with Halloween. Now we have a “brand new interactive math game” for fall! Your little learners will have lots of fun!
Then shortly after Thanksgiving, we have Christmas Themed Baking Cookies Math Game. Time for a “brand new game.” You see, this math board game remains the same, but you can have students practice basic skills in different ways.
In January, we unveiled our math game for Winter! Novelty is a great way to keep kindergarten and first grade students engaged. You may even want to add different game tokens. For example, you could use thematic erasers to hook younger students.
Don’t forget! We need a Spring math game too!
How about a Summer math game?
NOTE: This is your free file printable math game. Look towards the end of this blog post to get your free download.
This game stays fun and exciting all year long because we change up the theme. Students get multiple opportunities to practice those strategies while playing their favorite math games. This is the best way to help the learning process and build a solid foundation towards fluency. AND they are so much fun! WIN!
To differentiate the math games, you can have some students playing with the basic addition cards while others are playing subtraction games. Add manipulatives so students have a variety of ways to solve the problem.
Find all of these math games for kindergarten printable versions below:
Read more about center activities and center management with these blog posts:
- 10 Simple Literacy Stations That Will Last You ALL YEAR!
- 15 Kindergarten Math Centers That Will Engage Your Class ALL Year! (Free File)
FREE Printable Math Game File
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Deedee Wills
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
Hi, I'm DeedeE.
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
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2 Responses
Hi, Deedee, Do you make multiple game boards and spinners for each month? One for each set of cards? Thank you, Cindy Cornwell
I just made one game board for each theme. Students can play together but with different cards depending on their skill level. 🙂