25 Math Skills Games for Kids

So, your child struggles with math?

They pay attention, they work hard, they do their homework and yet… those tricky math concepts simply refuse to sink in.

You bring in tutors, you practice flash cards, you spend hours going over worksheets, drilling your child in the car or at the breakfast table.

You tell yourself that if your kid just keeps at it, one day, it’ll “click.” But deep down, you’re worried that they’re falling further and further behind. Your child’s teacher is worried too.

And your child is starting to think they’re not smart. Worse, you’re starting to wonder if that might not be true.

Well, here’s the truth about mathematical ability

Actually, it’s two truths:

1. Your child’s intelligence has little to do with his math skills
2. Improving your child’s math skills is as simple as teaching them how to think logically and mathematically

Let me explain.

Truth #1: Intelligence is not about math

We have a tendency to think of intelligence as a thing that we all have in varying degrees. We figure out how intelligent our child is by measuring their performance in certain areas (like math) against his peers. We then realize that some children (not necessarily ours) are smarter than others.

But that’s wrong.

It is a mistake to think of intelligence as being a single thing, something we can measure on a spectrum of more or less based on how much we know about something. And it’s hurting your child to think this way.

In 1983, the developmental psychologist Howard Gardner outlined a theory that has virtually revolutionized the way we understand intelligence and our children’s ability to process information.

This theory explains that humans actually have eight intelligences (as opposed to one general intelligence): linguistic, spatial, musical, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, bodily-kinesthetic, and naturalistic. We all have all eight of these intelligences and we use them to varying degrees, creating an intelligence profile that is unique to us. 

Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about personality types, we’re not talking about behavior, we’re not talking about tendencies. We are talking about intelligence, your child’s intelligence.

So now, when we say a child is good at math, what we really mean is not that they are more intelligent but that they favor their logical-mathematical intelligence. In other words, they prefer to process information when it is presented in a logical and abstract manner; they tend to think critically and are naturally drawn to patterns and categorizations.

Here’s the big secret –> math is traditionally taught in a logical and abstract way, which means that children who favor their mathematical intelligence, will easily grasp those concepts. However, children who favor other intelligences will struggle.

In other words the problem isn’t your child, it’s the way they are being taught math.

Truth #2: Improving your child’s math skills is about teaching them to think mathematically.

What your child needs is two things:

1. To be exposed to math concepts in ways that resonate with his particular intelligence
2. To develop his logical-mathematical intelligence.

The first part is not an easy feat and one that most schools cannot afford as it requires a great deal of customization. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t step in and I have a lot of ideas for you to test out on Tot Thoughts.

The second part involves these 25 easy activities your child can do to improve your child’s logical-mathematical intelligence.

These activities are presented in levels of increasing complexity. The levels are in no way related to a child’s age or grade. They simply invite children to start at whatever level they prefer and to continue feeling engaged and motivated as they advance to the more challenging levels (and hey, as an added bonus, many of these activities also help develop your child’s other intelligences).

LEVEL 1

• Read a story and identify the key elements of the story. Then create an outline of the story.
• Collect a variety of leaves and classify them in five different ways.
• Practice adding, subtracting and dividing by making groups of raisins, buttons or other objects (don’t worry so much about your child being able to say “2+2 = 4” but rather just have him handle the groups of items in different ways).
• Sort a variety of household items into different colors or shapes.
• Create different sound patters (by clapping or stomping your feet) and have a friend imitate them.

LEVEL 2

• Make a puzzle.
• Create a maze or crossword puzzle for a friend.
• Listen to patterns in music.
• Gather random assortments of items from your house and arrange them in different pattern. Have your friends guess your patterns.
• Measure different things with your various body parts. Compare the lengths of different items in your house.
• Predict the ending of a book you are reading.
• Map out the main ideas and sub-points of each idea from a book you are reading. Think of a new story and map out the main ideas and sub-points of each main idea for your new story.
• Create new riddles and share them with your friends.
• Write directions for completing a task and then give them to someone else. Discuss how effective the directions were in helping the other person complete the tasks.
• Think of a problem you are currently facing and illustrate a machine that you would create to help you solve the problem.
• Create patterned number sequences and have someone else identify the pattern. Try creating patterns with shapes or words as well.

LEVEL 3

• Create a secret code and write it down in a code key format. Write letters using your code key. Share your code key with someone else and see if they can decipher your message.
• Choose one of your favorite books and write the next episode or continuation of the story.
• Pick a topic to discuss and find arguments to support both sides. Have a debate with someone else. Give each other feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments.
• Find examples of history “repeating itself” or think of a time when the same mistake has been made multiple times. Reflect upon why this is and how those mistakes could have been avoided.
• Follow a recipe to make a cake from scratch. Illustrate the recipe.
• Create a dance using ten different dance steps. Teach the dance to a friend.
• Create a paint-by-numbers picture for someone else to color.
• Make a calendar and keep track of important events.
• Take a walk and notice patterns in nature.

So there you have them –> 25 easy ways to help your child improve his math skills.

If they seem like fun, that’s because they are designed to be entertaining and yet challenging. That doesn’t mean your child won’t be learning or developing their logical-mathematical intelligence. In fact, what you’ll be doing is instilling in your child a love of learning.

Because let’s face it, deep down, you know your child is intelligent. Now help them realize that too!

Let’s make it easy: pick five activities that you think you’re child will enjoy and give it a try.

 Karla Valenti writes Tot Thoughts where you can get other tips and ideas on on raising intelligent, creative and empowered tots. Get more on Facebook, Twitter, G+, or Pinterest.