Maths game 1: Addition Quick Fire

Addition Quick Fire is a fun maths game that requires just 2 players. You can easily enjoy this game with just yourself and your child!

To prepare: Cut up some small pieces of paper to make ‘cards.’ On each ‘card’ write a number. You can write as many numbers as you like, as high or low as you wish. Remember the higher the number, the tougher the challenge.

How to play: Player 1 says, “FIRE” and both players turn over their top card and place it face up in the centre. Each player adds the two numbers that are showing and the first player to say the correct total out loud wins the two cards. After all cards have been used, the players count the number of cards that they have won. The winner is the player who has the most cards.

Maths game 2: Balloon Race

Balloon Race is a great maths game for practising number pairs that make 10.

To prepare: For this maths game you will need one baseball per child (you can also use a tennis ball), 14 counters per child and dice for 10.

How to play:

1. Each child takes a baseboard.
2. Child A throws dice and works out what must be added to make 10.
3. Place counter on that balloon.
4. Repeat for each child.
5. Winner is the first to complete baseboard or who has the most covered in set time

Maths game 3: Bingo Addition to 5

This fun maths game is a classic game of bingo! Admittedly the questions are most suited for children in Key Stage 1, but why not have a go at creating your own bingo board? This way, you can make the questions as challenging as you like!

To prepare: Getting ready for this maths game is easy. Print out the bingo board and questions below. You will need counters, but you can always use small change if you don’t have any!

Click here to print the addition to 5 bingo board

Click here to print the addition to 5 bingo questions

How to play: With as many players as you wish, start reading out the questions. Each child places a counter on the correct answer. Of course, the first to fill a line or full house shouts “BINGO!” – and they are the winner.

Maths game 4: Race to 27

This game is useful for adding the value of two numbers, it’s fun and easy and can include 2-5 players.

To prepare: Deal out all the cards to the players. Players put their cards into a pile in front of themselves with cards face down.

How to play: The first player turns over their top card and places it in the centre. The next player turns over their top card placing it on top of the first card. This player adds the value of the two cards and tells everyone the total. The next player does the same adding the value of their card to the previous total. Play continues until the total reaches 27 or over. The player that puts down the card that takes the total to 27 or overtakes all the cards in this pile. This player takes the cards and shuffles them it into their pile. Play continues for a set time or until one player has no cards left. The winner is the person with the most cards.

Maths game 5: Race to 50

This game essentially works as fun maths game number 4 and is effective for addition at primary school level.

To prepare: Shuffle cards and place face down in a pile in the centre of the players.

How to play: Each player takes two cards from the centre pile. (Or someone can deal two cards to each player.) Players add the two values together and tell everyone the total. The player with the highest total keeps their cards. The others return their cards to the pile which is shuffled and placed in the centre. Repeat. Each player keeps adding the value of the cards they have won until one player reaches 50 and becomes the winner.

5 fun maths games for practising primary school subtraction

Subtraction is taught at both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 levels. These maths games are great for helping your child develop and maintain sharp arithmetic skills.

Maths game 6: Bingo Subtraction to 5

This works the same way as maths game 3, only now each player needs to do calculate subtractions as they play bingo.

To Prepare: Print out the bingo board below, or if you have already printed it for maths game 3 then you can use the same board! However, you will need to print out a new set of bingo cards. Remember that you can use small change in place of counters if you need to.

Click here to print out the subtraction to 5 bingo board (it is the same as addition to 5)

Click here to print out the subtraction to 5 bingo questions

How to play: Once you have printed the materials, included as many players as you like and start reading the questions aloud. The first player to fill a line or a full house shouts “BINGO!” and wins.

Maths game 7:  Apple Pie Subtraction

This one is more of an activity than a game, so if you’re on the lookout for free maths activities then this one might just be for you! Thanks to madebyteachers.com for creating the free resource, it’s perfect for children in KS1 to practise subtraction. You can download the worksheet below.

Apple Pie Subtraction

Maths game 8: Halloween Subtraction

With Halloween right around the corner this one might help your child incorporate some light-hearted spookiness into maths! (Who would have thought?)

This resource contains both addition and subtraction, as well as pumpkins, ghosts and more for your little one to colour in!

Halloween Subtraction Colouring Worksheet

Maths game 9: Snowball Fight Subtraction

As things are beginning to become season themed in the subtraction section, we wanted to help you prepare for winter with this snowball fight subtraction activity. It’s a free maths printable and you can download it below.

Snowball Fight Subtraction Colouring Sheet

Maths game 10: Number Card Subtraction Fans

If arts and crafts is your thing, then prepare to unleash your creative flare with this fun activity.

How to prepare: You can get as creative as you want with this one. Start by cutting some card, so that each slice is about the width and length of two fingers. Make a small hole in the end of each card and write a number from 1-10 on each piece. Using chenille stems (coloured pipe cleaners, your child will know what these are from school), loop it through each hole to create a fan!

How to play: Now for the fun part! Depending on how many of these you made you can have 2 to unlimited players. Better yet, this works for primary school addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division! Call out a subtraction e.g. 12-3 and each child needs to hold up number card 9 from their fan! – It’s a great way to get crafty with maths.

How can I make maths games at home? – 10 maths games that involve arts and crafts

We can all agree that getting creative is fantastic when it comes to learning. Trying to do this with maths is a little more challenging. Nevertheless, as you saw with the previous activity it is certainly possible!

Maths game 11: Hopscotch Times Tables

All you need is an outdoor space and some chalk! Just like traditional hopscotch, draw squares and inside each write the numbers following any given multiplication table! It’s as easy and simple as that. Just don’t forget to clean the floor after – but since it’s chalk it’ll wash away with water. A great game for Year 4 pupils preparing for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check!

Read more: Year 4 Times Tables Test: What You Need to Know for 2021

Maths game 12: The Human Clock

This one is easy and perfect for a summer’s day in the garden or at the park with friends, or inside on a rainy day. To make the game more interesting, use any materials around your house to create the hands of the clock. One way you might try to do this is colouring and decorating some card that is cut into the shape of arrows. If you want to take a step further, why not try creating the numbers around the clock?

When it comes to playing the game, give each player a specific time. Then, they need to lay down on the floor and use their body to make the hands of the clock! – This is useful activity for teaching kids the time in Key Stage 1!

Maths game 13: The Twenty-Four Game

No doubt many of you are familiar with this game already, but it’s a great maths game to play with the kids. Now, you’ll need a pack of cards – but why not have your child make them! This is a great free resource that you’ll be able to recycle time and time again.

Remember that you only need the numbers, the other cards from the pack are not necessary for this game.

How to play: Once you have finished getting creative with your pack of cards, each player should pick four cards.

With the four numbers each player is dealt, the challenge is to use the four operations, that is addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to come to an end result of 24! It’s a fun maths game, but undeniably also a challenging one. Therefore, this game might be best suited for older Key Stage 2 pupils.

Maths game 14: Plasticine Multiplication

This one is easy; you just need plasticine or playdough. Provide each player with a huge lump of the colourful sticky stuff and call out some multiplications.

The challenge is for each player to create the answer using what they have in their hands! You can choose whether the winning factor comes down to who comes up with the answer fastest or how many players successfully create the answer before time runs out.

This fun maths game is guaranteed to fill the room with laughter!

Maths game 15: Pasta Shells!

You may have seen this in our blog on the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check, but using pasta pieces, whether it be penne, fusilli, or the many others; is a great way to make maths more tangible.

There aren’t so many rules to this game and you’re free to adapt it as you like. You can use it for simple counting, adding, and subtracting numbers – ultimately kids love it!

For multiplication, you can try grouping pasta together to help children visualise the times tables. This is especially effective for children who struggle with arithmetic.

Maths game 16: Multiplication Bingo

This is like the addition and subtraction bingo games that were highlighted above. However, why not make everything from scratch? This is easy for children to do, especially if you’re looking for an indoor activity at the weekend as we move into the winter months.

First you will need to give them the answers to the questions that you have prepared, but this needs to be in a random order. This way, they will choose where to place each number.

To play, read the multiplication questions and encourage them to mark the corresponding answers! So, there you have it, DIY Multiplication Bingo!

Maths game 17: The Number Line Game

When primary school children start school they quickly learn to count with their fingers. However, what happens when you need to go above 10? Many teachers encourage children to create number lines to reinforce counting patterns and understand place value. Thanks to education.com we have detailed instructions listed below so that you can prepare and start playing!

How to prepare: Number line (write the numbers 20 through 40)

18 Number cards (showing numbers 21 through 39)

Pencil and paper (optional)

How to play:

1. Shuffle the number cards and place them face down in a stack. Have your child pick up the first card.
2. After they’ve looked at the card, ask them to name the number that comes before it. Then have them name the number that comes after it. If your child hesitates, you can rephrase the question by asking which number is 1 less (or 1 more) than the card they are holding.
3. Using the number line, have your child check to see if they have named the numbers correctly. If so, they keep the card. They can start a “winnings” pile to keep all the cards they’ve won.
4. Continue in the same manner until your child has looked at all the cards. Ask them to count the cards in their “winnings” pile.

All done? Record the number of cards your child has won so that the next time you play the Number Line game, they can try to beat their score!

Maths game 18: Flip the Pancake Equations

Thanks to atlasmission.com for this awesome idea – and as they fortunately point out, no cooking is involved! You make the “pancakes” by cutting out circles of cardboard. Then you write addition and subtraction equations on them. On the opposite side, you write the answer.

How to play: Your little cook will pick a pancake and say the answer to the equation, then they will flip the pancake with the spatula. If they answered correctly, they get to keep the pancake. If not, the other player gets to keep the pancake. The player with the most pancakes at the end, wins.

This is one of the most fun homemade maths games for Key Stage 1 primary school students who enjoy cooking and flipping things.

Maths game 19: Popsicle Stick Match Game

Who doesn’t love cheap art supplies? Did you know that you can get like a thousand popsicle sticks for less than £1.00? These simple wonders can be utilised for maths games too. An easy early primary school level maths game with popsicle sticks is number matching.

Draw pictures of shapes on one popsicle stick. For example, you could draw four circles. Then write the number 4 on another popsicle stick. Lastly, put all the sticks on the floor and take turns matching them. This easy-to-do game entertains even better than toilet paper.

Maths game 20: Pizza Fractions and Flashcards

A maths lesson with dinner, cooking pizza and playing a fraction game. Here are the steps: Write basic fractions on flash cards then place them in a pile. Next, each player picks a fraction card and cuts that fraction into the food. Help you child cut each slice.

See how many cards you can complete in this fun maths game without fully destroying your food.

What are some fun maths games that do not require preparation?

At the start of this blog we promised you that some of these games and activities would be preparation free to save time. The following fun maths games do not require any preparation or support materials, so that you and your children can start playing and learning right now!

Maths game 21: Harry Potter Maths

Another fun maths game to help your children practice their multiplication tables and arithmetic. Two players need to stand back to back, equip them with pretend wands and then ask them to take 3 steps away from each other and then wait. Your role is to call out a multiplication problem. The first to shout “ZAP” and raise their hand must then give the answer. If they score correctly then they score a point, otherwise their opponent gets it.

Maths game 22: Simon Says

Everyone remembers Simon Says, and scholastic.com recommends using it for Geometry! See the instructions below.

How to play: Using just their arms, parallel and perpendicular lines; acute, right, and obtuse angles; and 0-, 90-, and 180-degree angles.

For added fun, why not increase the pace of commands, and see if your kids can keep up?

Maths game 23: Speed Circle

This fun maths game is ideal if you have a small group of children and want to encourage cooperative learning. There is limited preparation involved, simply sort them into two teams and give each a pen and a piece of paper.

Ask the children for a calculation to match the number of children in each team. So, if there are five people in a team, they create five calculations, e.g.

1. +10
2. -50
3. x 4
4. divide by 6
5. halve it

Try to get them to give a variety of operations and to include any we are particularly covering.

Then, give them a starting number and each member must apply their rule in turn round the circle until they are finished at which point the last person stands up. They gain a point if they are first finished and accurate.

More fun maths games and activities for primary students:

Maths game 24: Who Wants to be a Mathematician?

Based on the TV programme ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire?’ this fun maths game is ideal for practising KS1 and KS2 maths, particularly mental arithmetic. It is best played in groups.

Select a child to play the game by having a ‘fastest brain first’ maths question. The child who gives the correct answer quickest will be the player.

When in the hot seat, the player must answer three (or more) questions based on the learning objectives. These questions need to be answered as quickly as possible and only the first answer can be accepted. Encourage the other players to also work out the answer, if the contestant gets it wrong you will be picking another player who has the right answer to sit in the hot seat.

Whilst in the chair the contestant gets two ‘lifelines’ to help them. These are ‘ask the audience’ in which the majority of right answers from the other players could influence the answer, or ‘phone a friend’ where the contestant is allowed to ask one other player to join in.

Maths game 25: Countdown

Another TV inspired game, you only need 2 players, but you can include as many as you like!

1. Ask each player to give 4 numbers between 1 – 10
2. Ask for a multiple of 10 between 10 -100
3. Then, ask for a multiple of 25 between 25 – 100
4. Give the children a random(ish) number that they must use the other numbers and the four number operations to find
5. Differentiate by asking low ability to be within 100, mid within 50 and high within 10, of the target number
6. Differentiate by giving each ability group a different number to find (making the lower ability easier).

Maths game 26: Roll the Dice

You can play this one in your kitchen, it’s best played with more than one child. Roll the dice and use the numbers rolled (e.g. 2, 4 and 1) to create a question for the children to answer (e.g. “What is 2+4+1?”).

Each child puts up their hands if they know the answer and it’s your role to pick someone. If the child gets it correct, someone in their row can sit down. If they get the answer wrong, someone in the row has to stand up (if everyone is standing, everyone stays up).

The aim of the game is for the children to try and get everyone on their row sat down.

Maths game 27: The Price is Right

Continuing the theme of TV show inspired fun maths games, this is a mental activity that focuses on whole numbers between 1-100.

How to play: Write a number on a piece of paper and stick it on the wall, the number should be between 1-100 and Player A should be facing away from it.

Then they take turns in guessing the number, after each guess have their friends or siblings respond either ‘higher’ or ‘lower’. The game continues until they finally guess the correct number.

Maths game 28: Tell Me About a Number

This is recommended by a teacher; however, it is a fun maths game that you can play at home. To get the children thinking mathematically first thing on a morning on their way to school or before homework time, write a number on a piece of paper. It can be any number depending on the children’s abilities.

Then, ask them to tell you about the number e.g. if the number were 12, they could tell you that 6×2=12 or it has 1 ten and 2 units etc…

Continue until they have run out of ideas.

Maths game 29: Ping Pong

This game is ideal for mental / oral sessions practising number bonds. ‘Ping Pong’ is always popular and well-remembered by children. Start off saying ‘ping’ and your kids reply with ‘pong’.

Repeat/reverse, and then convert to numbers, i.e. say ‘2’ and they reply ‘8’ if doing number bonds to 10. – A great game for the morning car journey to school!

Maths game 30: Flashcard Races

Another creative one to finish off the list. Spend some time cutting out and colouring in number flashcards. Then, encourage your children to help you tape these to the floor.

Then, using the numbers on the floor come up with some questions for the kids, e.g. if they’re in Year 1 you might try a simple Key Stage 1 maths problem like “what’s 2×3?” and they need to run to 6. Kids can race together or work independently to beat a timer!

You may also like to read:

Are You Worried That Your Child Is Struggling with Maths? – How to Tell if Your Child Struggles with Maths at Primary School and What You Can Do to Help

Primary School Division: Step-by-Step Methods for Teaching Your Child Division in Years 1 – 6.

Primary School Maths Tutors – Tips for Parents: Here is how to Find the Right Tutor with the UK’s TOP 15 Online Maths Tutors!