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Online number games
Try counting sequences and making ten, with real game previews and tips for playing together.
Find a learning gameLittle games. Big discoveries.
Math games for kidsStart with a little play.
A handful of counters. A roll of the dice. An “I figured it out!” moment. Find a short math activity for kindergarten through grade 5.
Find your five-minute gameFree activities & printables · No signup
Where shall we start?
Pick a starting point
Grades are a guide. Choose the skill your child is ready to explore, and make it easier or harder together.
Would a skill be easier than a grade? Find an activity by skill.
The six games below use everyday materials away from the screen. For practice in your browser, try our math word problem generator.
Or start from a skill
Find an activity by skill
Every resource here, grouped by what it practises. Each says who it usually suits, how you use it, and what your child can already do when it fits. Grades are only a guide.
Counting
How many, and what comes next.
- Fill the treasure frame
Ready when: Counts up to 10 objects, touching each one.
- Number line games, up to 10
Ready when: Can count on from a number instead of starting again at 1.
- Counting and make-ten sample games
Ready when: Enjoys a short game with a grown-up nearby. The play site may ask for an account after several games.
Addition
Joining amounts, and finding the total.
- Roll, build, tell
Ready when: Counts two small groups to find how many altogether.
- Number line games
Ready when: Adds within 10 or 20 by counting on.
- Number lines, step by step
Ready when: Adds within 20 and is starting on two-digit numbers.
- Math word problem generator
Ready when: Can follow a short story read aloud.
Subtraction
Taking away, and finding the difference.
- Roll, build, tell: taking-away stories
Ready when: Can remove a group from a total and count what is left.
- Number line games: taking away
Ready when: Knows that taking away makes the number smaller.
- Count up to subtract
Ready when: Subtracts within 20 and is ready to find the gap between two numbers.
- Math word problem generator
Ready when: Can follow a short story read aloud.
Multiplication
Equal groups, rows and arrays.
- Roll an array
Ready when: Can skip count by 2s, 5s or 10s.
- Seven multiplication games
Ready when: Understands equal groups and is building up facts.
- Math word problem generator
Ready when: Recognises equal groups in a story.
Kindergarten
Count & compare · About 5 minutes
Fill the treasure frame
A little collection becomes a way to see how numbers fit together.
Gather: Paper, a pencil and 10 counters
- Draw two rows of five boxes. Take turns choosing a number from 1 to 10.
- Your partner fills that many boxes, starting along the top row. Touch each counter as you count.
- Guess how many empty spaces remain, then count them together. Swap roles and choose a new number.
Try it together
You have filled 7 spaces. How many more make 10?
See one way to explain it
3 more. The top row holds 5 and the bottom row has 2, leaving 3 empty spaces.
Make it yours. Start with one row of five. For a new challenge, briefly show the frame before covering it.
Next: count on along a number line to 10 Choose another gradeGrade 1
Add & subtract · About 5 minutes
Roll, build, tell
Let two rolls set the scene for a tiny number story.
Gather: Two dice and 12 counters
- Roll two dice and build a group of counters for each number.
- Tell a joining story: “Two birds are here. Five more arrive.” Your partner finds the total.
- Swap storytellers. For a taking-away story, start with the total and remove one of the groups.
Try it together
There are 2 birds, then 5 arrive. How many birds are there now?
See one way to explain it
7 birds. Join the groups: 2 + 5 = 7. You can start at 5 and count on 2.
Make it yours. Use counters throughout. When that feels comfortable, explain a way to find the total without counting every counter.
Next: add and take away on a number line Choose another gradeGrade 2
Tens & ones · About 5 minutes
Build the mystery number
Take turns being the builder and the number detective.
Gather: Paper and a pencil
- Secretly choose a number from 10 to 99. Draw a long stick for every ten and a small square for every one.
- Your partner names the number and explains how the drawing shows it.
- Reveal your number, then swap roles. Change one ten or one one and ask what happens.
Try it together
Your drawing has 4 tens and 6 ones. What number did you build?
See one way to explain it
46. Four tens make 40, and 6 ones make 6: 40 + 6 = 46.
Make it yours. Begin with teen numbers. Later, ask how the drawing changes when you add 10 or subtract 1.
Next: take the tens first on a number line Choose another gradeGrade 3
Multiplication · About 5 minutes
Roll an array
Discover how a rectangle can tell a multiplication story.
Gather: Two dice and up to 36 counters
- Roll one die for the number of rows and another for the counters in each row.
- Build the rectangle. Find the total using equal groups, skip counting or a fact you know.
- Turn the rectangle. Your partner explains what changed and why the total stayed the same.
Try it together
There are 3 rows with 4 counters in each row. How many counters?
See one way to explain it
12 counters. Three groups of 4 make 12: 3 × 4 = 12. Turn it to see 4 rows of 3.
Make it yours. Begin with 2 or 3 rows. For more practice, try the seven games and printable boards linked below.
Next: seven more multiplication games Choose another gradeGrade 4
Equivalent fractions · About 5 minutes
Find my fraction twin
Different numbers can describe the same amount of a whole.
Gather: Two equal-length paper strips and a pencil
- Fold one strip into 2 equal parts and the other into 4 equal parts. Both strips must represent the same-sized whole.
- Shade one half on the first strip. Your partner shades the same length on the second strip.
- Line up the strips and explain the match. Try another pair, such as thirds and sixths, using fresh equal-length strips.
Try it together
Which fraction in fourths matches one half?
See one way to explain it
2/4 matches 1/2. Two of the four equal parts cover exactly the same length as one of the two equal parts.
Make it yours. Keep the strips lined up while comparing. Later, predict an equivalent fraction before folding to check it.
Next: fraction word problems, with pictures Choose another gradeGrade 5
Fractions & division · About 5 minutes
The fair-share café
Open an imaginary café where everyone gets a fair share.
Gather: Paper and a pencil
- Draw 2 same-sized pizzas and 3 plates. Explain that the pizzas must be shared equally.
- Take turns drawing cuts and moving pieces to the plates. Compare how much each plate receives.
- Name each person’s share as a fraction of one pizza. Choose a new sharing puzzle and check that every plate is equal.
Try it together
Three friends share 2 pizzas equally. How much does each friend get?
See one way to explain it
2/3 of a pizza each. Cut both pizzas into thirds. Give each friend one third from each pizza: 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3.
Make it yours. Start with 1 pizza shared by 2 friends. When ready, explore 3 pizzas shared by 4 friends.
Next: sharing word problems, with pictures Choose another gradeKeep the curiosity going
A next step for every kind of day
Use in your browser
Math word problem generator
Choose a K–5 grade band, operation and theme. Check an answer, reveal the worked solution or print a problem.
Make a word problemPlay away from the screen
Seven multiplication games
Dice, cards and equal groups, with a free six-page pack of boards, fact cards and answer support.
Explore multiplication gamesFor parents & caregivers
A little math, every day
Find a manageable routine for talking through numbers together, with practical ideas for short sessions.
Plan a ten-minute sessionUse in your browser
Number line games
Jump one step at a time to add and take away within 10 or 20. As many tries as you like, with no timer and no score.
Jump along the lineWorked examples & free printable
Number lines, step by step
Add and subtract by jumping along a line, with six worked examples, the mistakes that cause most wrong answers and a printable practice pack.
Follow the worked examples