7 Activities to Make Math Fun

Math. Some of us love teaching it. Some of us hate it. The same is true for our students. But no matter how we feel about it, we have to teach math. And we all know that it's easier and more enjoyable for everyone if we can get our students excited about what they're learning. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to make math fun for even your toughest students. Today, I'm sharing some of my students' favorite math activities.

1. Prodigy

Prodigy is a free adaptive math game that your students will LOVE! Common Core math skills (grades 1-7) are integrated into a role-playing game that will remind your students of Pokemon-style and wizarding games they might play at home. Students level up and become more powerful by completing math activities in their quest to defeat Crios, Prodigy's villain.

The game includes hundreds of math skills, broken down by grade level. Teachers can allow the game to run itself, covering a variety of skills at the chosen grade level, or assign specific skills based on what you're currently teaching. A premium version is available, but it only offers additional level-ups, pets, etc. All of the educational content is accessible through the free version.

2. Kahoot!

Kahoot! is a free site where your students can play highly engaging trivia-style games for any subject area, topic, or skill. You can play on any device with an internet connection using their website or apps, and setup is quick and easy. Students use a game pin to join your game, so they don't need to log in. Play can be individual or team-based. There are three ways to play:

• Ready-made Public Kahoot!s that other teachers have created
• Duplicate a public Kahoot! and customize it to your content
• Create your own

Kahoot! is great for anything, but this year, my students need lots of help with their multiplication facts, so a few times a week, we practice with Kahoot! It's their favorite way to do math fact practice so far. Here's the multiplication facts game we're using to reinforce the 6s through 9s. You can click on the link to play without even creating an account. I've also written a blog post on my blog, Chalk & Apples, that will help you get started. You can check it out by clicking the image above. 

3. Playing Card Games

Math is so much more fun when you pull out a deck of playing cards! A few years back, I created a set of differentiated playing card games that covers lots of math topics. We use different games throughout the year, but the favorites are always the "war" style games, Target Number (which might remind you a little of blackjack!) and Flip Out.

Since they're no prep games, these are great for centers or early finishers. I've also used them as homework games since many families have decks of cards at home. This is a great way to get parents and other family members involved! If you'd like this set of card games, you can grab it by clicking the image.

4. YouTube

Kids love YouTube videos, so I try to take advantage by finding educational videos that will stick with them even after they leave class. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Mr. DeMaio has some really great multiplication fact songs that are parodies of current pop songs. (He also has videos on a host of science & social studies topics.)
• Flocabulary is a paid subscription service with loads of great videos on all subjects, but they also have a YouTube channel with lots of free videos that my class loves. 
• Multiplication.com has their own YouTube channel as well with animated math videos.

If you're a GoNoodle user, chances are, your class already loves it. What you may not know is that GoNoodle Plus has brain break activities for educational content. If you're fortunate enough to be able to get your PTO to buy a GoNoodle Plus subscription (or, like me, a large corporation in your area has donated it to your district!), you have to check out Mega Math Marathon! You can select from a variety of skills based on your grade level or make up your own questions. Students run a marathon while answering questions. (And let's face it, this is perfect for those no PE, no outdoor recess kind of days, when they need to get some energy out!)

6. Dominoes

Domino games are fun, and can work for most math concepts. Whether you're doing basic facts, matching geometric shapes to their names, or practicing math vocabulary, a domino game can work.

Because the rules stay the same, you'll only need to teach them once, and can change the content by swapping in a new deck. These are perfect for centers, early finishers, and even homework games. My class loves domino games so much, I've started making more of them. Right now, we're playing with the multiplication facts deck, but I'll be swapping in division facts soon for some of my students.  It's pretty easy to make your own set with index cards, but if you'd rather print & go, you can grab the ones I use in my TPT shop by clicking the image above.

7. Technology

You know they love any chance to get on a computer, iPad, or tablet, so use it to your advantage! Here are some of my favorite math game sites (a couple of these have games for multiple subjects):

• Sheppard Software
• Adapted Mind
• Math Playground
• Math Game Time
• Splash Math

Can you add to this list? Leave your ideas in the comments. I'd love to hear how you make math fun in your classroom! For more math ideas, visit my blog, Chalk & Apples, or check out my Pinterest board.