How Math Board Games (Secretly) Develop Math Skills
Let’s be honest, getting kids to do something they don’t enjoy is an uphill struggle! And what’s one thing that most kids don’t enjoy? Math practice! Most would much rather spend their evenings on YouTube or TikTok rather than Google Classroom.
The daily struggle over homework can result in screaming, crying, name-calling, and objects being thrown across the room. And that’s just the parents! Finding the right strategies to encourage kids to engage in the subject at hand can be challenging and a case of trial and error. One tried and tested approach that has been proven to work is learning through play.
Disguising the fact they’re learning about something that they normally would have no interest in is a great way to impart knowledge to kids. We do this through songs and there are plenty of educational TV shows out there as well, but there is also a lot to learn from playing board games. Aside from learning universally important skills like teamwork, social interaction, communication, critical thinking, and fine and gross motor skills, there are some fun games too that focus on very specific skills.
Although math is a subject many children find challenging or just plain not interesting, there is a wealth of different board games for different ages that help refine their mathematical knowledge.
10 Best Math Board Games For Kids
Below are a variety of math board games for kids that are great for improving children’s maths skills; and not just adding and subtraction but understanding sequences, shapes, percentages, and more.
Hi-Ho Cherry-O
Published by: Hasbro Ages: 3-6 Players: 2-4 Time: 10 minutes
Super simple, fun game for pre-schoolers. Spin the spinner and place the fruits into the basket. Be the first player to collect ten fruits to win, but be wary of the animals that may steal from you and be careful not to knock your basket over, otherwise, you’ll have to start all over again!
Hi-Ho Cherry-O is a classic game for younger children that allows them to practice basic counting skills. Each player chooses a colored tree and must collect ten fruits in their basket to be declared the winner. Traditionally the game used to feature purely cherries (hence the name) but recent iterations have made each player’s assets more distinguishable. There are now apples, oranges, and blueberries to go along with the titular fruit that players must collect, all of which are represented by different colors.
The gameplay is super simple: on a player’s turn, they spin the spinner and follow the directions on one of the seven spaces. Most of the spaces will allow players to take anywhere between 1-4 of their fruits and place them into their basket. If a player lands on a space with a dog or a bird, they have to put two of their fruits back on their tree. If they land on the basket space, this indicates their basket has been knocked over, causing all their fruit to fall out, and means they have to start all over again!
And that’s the game! It’s great fun and brightly decorated which should appeal to younger children and with its short play time will keep them interested from start to finish. It also really helps to develop basic counting and number recognition skills, where they’ll have to identify how many fruits to collect and count out the correct number to place into their basic. A must-buy for kids starting school!
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Zingo 1-2-3
Published by: Thinkfun Ages: 4+ Players: 2-6 Time: 10 minutes
Basic Bingo for kids! Players strive to be the first to fill up the nine spaces in this quick-fire, reactive game. Promoting number recognition and simple addition, when all nine squares are filled, don’t forget to shout “ZINGO!”
Zing 1-2-3 is essentially bingo but on a smaller scale and for children. Each player is given a card with nine spaces, each of which will represent a number from zero through to twelve. There will also be a picture in each space to represent the number on the card, like four clovers or nine apples, which helps support younger children’s ability to recognize each number.
The game comes with 72 numerical tiles and once each player has selected a game card, these tiles are stacked into the “Zingo Zinger”. This device has a sliding compartment which, when slid forward, will reveal two of the different numbered tiles. With each turn, a player will reveal two tiles, and the first person to call out the number can claim it and place it on the corresponding space on their board. If two players call out the same number, the player who was quickest to call it out claims the tile.
Once a player has filled all nine spaces on the tile, they win! It doesn’t stop there, however, as one of the great things about the game is there are multiple ways to play. When the game board is flipped over, rather than a number, players are met with two groups of images they must add together to decipher the number for each space.
This is clearly for older children or those more developed, but as an alternative way to play, the rules come with suggested patterns to make as an alternative to filling all nine spaces, as well as the option to play with two game boards each to make the game run for longer.
Zingo 1-2-3 is a great game for kids starting school and a useful tool to improve their maths skills. It helps develop basic number recognition, pattern matching, and simple addition, all of which will be beneficial in the first couple of years of education. With several levels of difficulty and plenty of variations to the standard way to play, this will provide a replayable challenge kids will want to come back to.
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Sleeping Queens
Published by: Gamewright Ages: 8+ Players: 2-5 Time: 20 minutes
A whimsical card game filled with strategy and mathematics, Sleeping Queens challenges players to wake the twelve queen cards lying asleep in the center of the table. But awakening these queens is no easy task; it requires quick thinking, strategic planning, and a good handle on addition and subtraction skills.
If kids can create equations from their number cards, they can trade them for better cards like kings, who can wake up queens, or dragons and potions to help steal queens from other players. The whimsical fantasy theming makes it easy for them to forget that they are constantly adding and subtracting throughout the game.
Sleeping Queens not only captivates children with its engaging fairy-tale theme and vibrant illustrations but also serves as a fun and interactive way for them to apply their math skills outside the classroom. By requiring players to constantly use addition and subtraction to gain more cards, it reinforces these fundamental concepts in an enjoyable and memorable context, making it an exceptional educational tool that cleverly masks learning as play.
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Qwirkle
Published by: Mindware Ages: 6+ Players: 2-4 Time: up to 45 minutes
A strategic tile-laying game. Match shapes and colors in rows and columns to try and get the biggest score. If a player is lucky enough and can get six in a row, they score a ‘Qwirkle’ for big points!
Qwirkle is a simple, compact game that takes a short while to learn but a long time to master. Aside from a storage bag, the only components that the game comes with are 108 wooden tiles, each with one of six different shapes and six different colors.
Players will always have a set of six tiles and will replenish any they’ve used by taking just as many from the bag at the end of their turn. The first player lays down any tile they wish to start the game. If they have any tiles that share the same color or shape they can lay those down as long as they don’t double up, eg. place two blue star tiles in the same line or two circles in a green line.
Players then take turns to lay down tiles that match the colors or shapes of tiles that have just been played. After a while, there will eventually be a play area that branches off in many different directions. As time goes on it gets trickier to make plays so there is always the option to exchange tiles with random ones from the bag at the cost of a turn.
Players will continue to do this until all tiles have been used and the player with the highest score is the winner.
Points are calculated after each player’s turn and for every tile that makes up a line a player will gain one point, even if the tile connects to another line, those are counted as well. The trick is to try and plan ahead and lay as many tiles that intersect with other lines as possible in order to score big! Completing a line is known as a ‘Qwirkle’ and nets that player an additional six points!
Qwirkle is light on rules but heavy on strategy. It’s certainly a game that will challenge older players with forward thinking and planning, but younger players will benefit from the pattern and color-matching mechanics. A game that teaches maths other than traditional addition and subtraction.
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Sequence Num6ers
Published by: Jax Ltd. Ages: 7+ Players: 2-6 Time: 15 minutes
Answer the sum correctly and place a chip on the corresponding number on the game board. Get five chips in a row; horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to be declared the winner!
Sequence num6ers is a great game to help kids learn more advanced sums to further practice math facts and develop their understanding. The game comes with a board set out in an 8×8 grid, with each space representing a number. These are the answers to the addition or subtraction questions presented on each of the game cards.
On a turn, one of these cards in a player’s hand is selected and placed face up in front of everyone. The player then places one of their chips on the space that represents the card’s answer. Both cards and board spaces are color-coded, which helps provide subtle clues and narrow down choices.
Once a player lays down a tile and a card, they take a new card to replenish their hand. Play continues in this way until someone has scored a sequence by placing five chips in a row.
There are a few additional rules for when gameplay needs to be mixed up. One of the biggest is players can play individually or as part of a team if enough people are playing. This can help with building a sense of teamwork and cooperation in the game and means less knowledgeable players can be partnered up with someone to help them get through the game. Additionally, for a longer game, players can try and create two sequences instead of one.
A great way for kids to practice their addition and subtraction, sequence num6ers offer a slightly different take to the original game for younger players. Keeping the rules light, it provides a strategic, but fast-paced game that helps kids break through their math anxiety as their skills develop through playing regularly.
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Battle Sheep
Published by: Blue Orange Games Ages: 7+ Players: 2-4 Time: 15 minutes
Battle Sheep is a fun and engaging strategy board game that combines simple gameplay with deep strategic elements, making it appealing to both kids and adults. The game’s premise is straightforward: players vie to dominate the most pasture space with their flock of sheep. The game setup involves piecing together a board of hexagonal tiles, which then becomes the field upon which players will spread their sheep.
Each player starts with a stack of 16 sheep and takes turns splitting their stack and moving a portion in a straight line across the board, stopping only when blocked by an opponent’s sheep or the edge of the board. The goal is to occupy as many hexes as possible while preventing your opponents from moving.
Despite its cute theme, Battle Sheep involves critical thinking and planning. Players must balance the need to spread out to gain territory with the risk of spreading too thin and getting cut off by rivals. Its quick gameplay, combined with its strategic depth, makes it an excellent choice for engaging the young mind in problem-solving and spatial reasoning tasks.
Battle Sheep is not just about adorable pieces and a simple setup; it’s a gateway to understanding the importance of making calculated moves and anticipating opponents’ strategies. Perfect for family game nights, it teaches valuable lessons in a surprisingly competitive but fun manner.
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Sushi Go Party!
Published by: Gamewright Ages: 8+ Players: 2-8 Time: 20 minutes
Sushi Go! Party takes the delectable frenzy of its predecessor, Sushi Go!, and amplifies the fun with a party platter of new menu options. It’s not just about what dish to grab from the conveyor belt anymore; it’s about strategizing the best combination of dishes to maximize your score. Each round, players pick a card representing a sushi dish and then pass the rest of their hand to the next player. Points are scored based on the types of sushi collected, with some sets needing to be larger to score.
Here’s where the sneaky math comes into play – as players aim to collect specific sets of cards, they’re constantly adding, subtracting, and even multiplying scores in their heads. Whether it’s calculating the potential points of a set of tempura or deciding if that sashimi trio is worth going for, players are engaging in mental math without even realizing it. The game also encourages strategic thinking as players must decide whether to disrupt an opponent’s set or build their own combo to maximize points.
Sushi Go! Party adds a delightful layer of strategy that requires players to think ahead, make predictions based on what others are collecting, and adapt their plans on the fly. Not only does this game serve up a deliciously fun time, but it stealthily sharpens math skills, making it a fantastic choice for kids and families looking to mix fun with educational value.
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New York Slice
Published by: Bezier Games Ages: 8+ Players: 2-6 Time: 30 minutes
New York Slice is a deliciously themed game where players become competitive pizza chefs aiming to create the most valuable pizza pie slice by slice. Each game round presents a new pizza divided into sections, each representing different toppings with various point values. The player who is the “slicer” for the round divides the pizza into portions equal to the number of players, but then gets the last pick of the slices, adding a strategic layer to how the pizza is divided.
This game ingeniously introduces kids to the concept of fractions in a practical and engaging way. Players must think critically about how to divide the pizza to either maximize their own points or minimize the benefits for their opponents. It challenges players to visualize fractions and assess the value of dividing the pizza into larger or smaller sections based on the toppings and points each slice could yield.
New York Slice’s gameplay doesn’t just stop at teaching fractions; it also subtly enhances decision-making and strategic planning skills. Players need to anticipate their opponent’s moves and adapt their strategies accordingly. Whether it’s choosing to take a slice with fewer points to prevent another player from completing a high-scoring set or deciding how to split the pizza, kids learn to weigh their options and make calculated decisions.
Perfect for family game nights, New York Slice is a feast of math fun that makes learning about fractions as easy as pie. Through this engaging gameplay, children can improve their mathematical understanding in a natural and enjoyable context, proving that learning can indeed be as enjoyable as eating pizza.
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Monopoly
Published by: Hasbro Ages: 8+ Players: 2-6 Time: 60-120 minutes
One of the best-known board games out there, Monopoly has been around for years! Players will buy, sell, and trade properties in order to become the wealthiest tycoon of the bunch. Fast-paced and the cause of many a family disagreement, but still plenty of fun!
Monopoly is a polarising game within the board game community (I can already see the torches and pitchforks in the distance) but to mainstream consumers, it’s also one of the best-known. Whilst its gameplay may not be as deep as some games out there, it serves a significant purpose. It teaches kids about money!
It’s almost a given that anyone reading this will be familiar with the rules to monopoly so save going through them, the brief overview is such: players move around the board which represents various well-known locations, and will use their cash to purchase these properties. As they purchase more and more, players will be gifted more money if other players land on them. Throughout the game, there will be opportunities to trade or purchase properties with other players. The last player remaining with any money is declared the winner.
As the game relies very heavily on economics, this is a great way to teach kids about money: how and when to spend it, save it, how to make change, and more advanced addition and subtraction problems. There is even the hands-on role of the banker, where kids can more actively get involved in the money throughout the game.
Although Monopoly is certainly not the most challenging of games, it does teach kids a lot about currency and older players can help them with making strategic decisions that will financially benefit them in the long run. The great thing about Monopoly is there is literally any kind of version you can imagine! They all have slightly different rules and locations, but it means there should be a version out there for everyone.
Check out our full review and strategy guide here.
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Chess
Published by: Varied Ages: 6+ Players: 2 Time: 10-60 minutes
Chess, a timeless strategy game, has captivated minds both young and old for centuries. It might surprise some, but despite the common misconception, excelling in mathematics doesn’t necessarily predict one’s prowess on the chessboard. This revelation underscores the uniqueness of chess as a mind sport where strategic thinking, pattern recognition, and planning moves ahead are the keys to victory, rather than numerical calculation abilities.
Not every child will be drawn to the intricate world of kings, queens, and knights; chess isn’t a universal favorite. However, for those with an affinity for it, early exposure is crucial. Young minds are incredibly adaptable thanks to brain plasticity, allowing them to absorb complex strategies and concepts more readily than adults.
Initiating children into chess at a tender age can be astonishing as they quickly grasp the essence of the game. Parents and educators might find themselves outmaneuvered on the board sooner than they expected, a testament to their rapid learning process and adaptability.
The beauty of chess lies in its capacity to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills without the necessity for mathematical talent. It teaches patience, foresight, and the ability to analyze the consequences of actions, valuable lessons that extend far beyond the chessboard. For those young enthusiasts who take to the game, chess can become a lifelong passion and a continuous source of intellectual stimulation.
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Conclusion: Play a Math Board Game With Your Kids
So those are our picks for some of the better games that help teach kids about math. All the games should be great choices for family game night. Let us know what you think of our picks and if there’s any educational game you would add to your list!
FAQ
What are the best math board games for kids?
The best math board games for children include “New York Slice” for teaching fractions in a fun and engaging way, “Monopoly” for practical lessons in money management and economic principles, and “Chess” for developing strategic thinking and problem-solving skills without necessarily focusing on math.
Can a math board game help kids learn?
Math board games help kids learn by integrating mathematical concepts into enjoyable gameplay. They encourage critical thinking, strategy, and decision-making, all while providing real-life contexts for math skills such as fractions, money management, and logical reasoning.
At what age can children start playing educational math board games?
Children as young as 6 years old can start playing math board games like “Chess”. However, the suitable age range varies depending on the complexity of the game. Games like “Monopoly” are recommended for ages 8+, ensuring the concepts are accessible and engaging for the child’s age and development level.
Can fun math board games be played in educational settings?
Absolutely! Math board games are a fantastic resource for educators looking to make learning math more interactive and fun. They can be incorporated into classroom activities or after-school programs to develop math skills, reinforce mathematical concepts, and foster a love for learning.
Where can I find fun math board games?
Math board games for kids can be found in various places, including toy stores, online retailers, and educational supply stores. Websites specializing in educational and math games will often feature a wide selection of math board games suited for different age groups and learning objectives.