Math Facts Games: Learn Math Facts the Fun Way

How Can I Make Learning Math Facts Fun?

Throughout elementary school, your child will be memorizing math facts for all four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). In the lower elementary grades, your child will be focusing on learning addition and subtraction facts. When your child enters the upper elementary grades, he or she will begin learning multiplication and division math facts.

Your child's overall math success will largely depend on his or her knowledge of the basic math facts for all four operations. For example, long division will be much easier for your upper elementary child if he or she knows the basic division facts. You can help to ensure your child's success by including fun, hands-on activities to help him or her retain math facts. Any type of activity or game that engages your child will likely make learning more successful and enjoyable for you and your child.

Basic Facts Tic-Tac-Toe

Before beginning this activity, write a variety of basic facts inside the squares on a tic-tac-toe board. Use the operations that your child has already learned or is currently learning. For example, if your child has not yet learned about multiplication and division, then only write addition and subtraction facts inside the squares. Before a player can place an 'X' or an 'O' inside a square, he or she must solve the equation. As with a normal tic-tac-toe game, the first player to get three in a row wins.

For more advanced students, consider using equations with a variable. For example, you could write 5 x ? = 30 inside a square. The player would then have to identify six as the missing number in the problem.

Match Up a Basic Fact

For this activity, write the symbols +, -, x and ÷ on index cards for each player. You will also need to write a variety of numbers on index cards. Give each player his or her symbol cards and turn the number cards face down on the table. Players will take turns flipping over two cards at a time and using one of their symbol cards to create an equation. The person to the player's right must then solve the equation.

For instance, if player one turns over a 12 and a three, then he could choose to multiply the numbers. If the person to the player's right, player two, answers correctly, then player two will take possession of the cards. If player two provides an incorrect answer, the cards will be returned to play.