Reducing Fractions: Games for Kids

How to Incorporate Reducing Fractions into Games

Reducing fractions can be challenging for many children, because the concept of equivalent fractions can be hard for them to visualize. Kids who don't have a good grasp of multiplication and division math facts may also have trouble with reducing fractions since this process uses factoring. Your kids can practice reducing fractions by completing worksheets, but you may want to incorporate a few reducing fractions games into your after-school activities because games are usually more fun than worksheets.

Games usually work well to review fractions after your child learns the topic in school. Repetition can help kids internalize the information, so use games as a way to go over the process multiple times in a row.

Four Fraction Games

Bingo

Create a reducing fractions bingo game by writing a reduced fraction (e.g., 1/2) in each bingo square and calling out an equivalent fraction (e.g., 31/62) during the game. Kids have to reduce each fraction successfully in order to win.

Memory

Create a reducing fractions memory game; begin by making sets of cards. One card should have a reduced fraction and the other should have an equivalent fraction. Once several sets are made, the game is ready. Your son plays by spreading out the cards face down and turning over two at a time. If he has a match, he keeps the cards. If not, he has to turn them over and try again.

Buzz In

For this group activity, divide the children into teams. Write an unreduced fraction, like 6/10, on the board and whichever team answers 3/5 first gets a point. To manage the group, you may want to have players 'buzz in' by raising their hands. Also, choose one child who'll act as the representative for the team to cut down on the number of kids who are calling out answers.

Paint by Fractions

Using a paint-by-numbers template, substitute the numbers for fractions. Create a key indicating which fraction represents which color, for instance 1/2 = blue. Then, on the picture, include fractions like 2/4 and 3/6 so your daughter will have to reduce them in order to know which color to use.