Fraction Games for Kids: Fun Math Games

An Overview of Elementary Fractions

In third grade, your child will learn skills such as recognizing equivalent fractions and comparing fractions that have like numerators or denominators. At this grade level, it is also important for your child to understand that whole numbers can be divided into fractions, and that fractional parts can be combined to create whole numbers. Manipulatives and activities that allow children to visualize fractional amounts can improve their understanding of fractions.

Number Line Activity

For this activity, draw a number line that's labeled with whole numbers on each end. Divide it into fractional amounts like fourths, eighths or tenths, but don't label them. On index cards, write the fractions that correspond to the intervals you've marked on the number line, and place the cards in a bowl. Have your child draw out one card at a time and place it in the correct spot on the number line.

You can make this activity a little more challenging by including index cards with reduced fractions. For instance, if you've divided your number line into eighths, you can have your child find the marks that correspond to 1/2 and 1/4.

Road Trip Fraction Game

On your next road trip, have your child use tally marks to record the different types of vehicles you pass (cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and 18-wheelers). After you reach your destination, have your child calculate the fraction for each type of vehicle. Remember, the denominators (bottom numbers) will be the total number of vehicles, and the numerators (top numbers) will be the number of vehicles in each category. For instance, if you passed 15 vehicles, and two of them were vans, the fraction for vans would be 2/15.

Fractional Fruit Activity

For this activity, you will need an apple (or similar object) that you can cut into fractional amounts. Begin by explaining that the apple represents a whole number. Cut the apple in half, and ask your child to write the fraction that represents each piece (1/2). Then, cut the pieces in half again, and repeat the process. This time, each piece will represent 1/4 of the apple.

Explain that when you combine all of the fractional pieces of the apple, they will always be equal to the whole. You can also have your child write fractions to represent several pieces of the apple. For example, if the apple is cut into four pieces, then three pieces will be equal to 3/4.