Online Math Games for Area and Perimeter

PBS KIDS' Interactive Math Games

Games found at PBS KIDS use a lively combination of music, colors and cartoon images to engage children's imaginations. The 'Airlines Builder' game asks kids to create solid shapes out of line segments. In each round, players must make a new shape. This game can help kids sharpen their eyes for geometry by forcing them to think creatively about shapes and angles. You could challenge your child additionally by having him calculate the area and perimeter of the shapes he has created. Other games found on this site focus on pattern recognition ('Crack Hacker's Safe') and spatial awareness ('Jigsaw Puzzle Size Up').

Math Games from Math Playground

At Math Playground you can find online games that deal specifically with area and perimeter. One of the area and perimeter activities features cartoon characters named Amy and Ben who discuss how to build a fence in the backyard. The storyline will engage children and introduce math in a context they can understand. If your child has ever worked on a project in the garden, she will be able to identify with the characters, which will make the game much more interesting to her than a simple math problem.

The other area and perimeter game, called 'Design a Party', has players designing a room for a party. They must figure out the six different possible floor plans for placing furniture, cake and balloons around the room. All the games available here are fully online and require a fast Internet connection.

Practice Problems from Math Goodies

Have your child test his or her perimeter and area skills with these online practice questions. These problems can all be completed online, and the website will correct the answers. You won't find games here; however, if your child needs area and perimeter review, this site offers dozens of free problems.