Easy Math Games for Kids to Play at Home

An Overview of Elementary Geometry

In kindergarten, your child will begin learning basic geometry as he is introduced to shapes. Throughout the lower elementary grades, your child will build upon her knowledge of shapes as she learns to divide shapes into equal parts and also how to identify more complex figures. In upper elementary, geometry begins to be more focused on types of lines and angles, lines of symmetry and how to graph points on a coordinate plane.

Lower Elementary (Grades K-2)

Can You Find These Shapes?

Before beginning this geometric scavenger hunt in your backyard, divide a piece of paper into four sections, and label them circle, square, oval and rectangle. Challenge your child to locate items in your yard that fit into the four categories. As your child locates an item, have him record the item in the appropriate section. For instance, if your child recognizes that the windows are rectangles, he would write 'windows' in the rectangle section of the paper.

Roll a Shape

To prepare for this game, you need to draw a variety of shapes on several pieces of construction paper. Spread the pieces of construction paper out flat on the floor or a table. Have your child roll a dice onto the construction paper. Ask her to describe the shape the dice landed on. For instance, your child could name of the shape or the number of sides it has.

Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Match that Shape

Before beginning this game, draw a variety of shapes on 12 index cards. Using additional index cards, write the characteristics of the shapes you drew. Mix up the cards and turn them face down on the table.

Players will take turns flipping over two cards. If the characteristic applies to the shape, the player takes possession of the two cards. If a player turns over two shapes or two characteristic cards, the cards are returned to play. For example, if a player turns over a square and a card that says 'has four equal sides' then he would collect those two cards. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins!