A deck of cards and some dice can go a long way in reinforcing basic math skills and all the while seem like fun! Here are some games you may wish to play at home, especially during the winter break.
GARBAGE!
The children have played this game and can explain it to you. They LOVE playing in class!
NEED: 1 deck of playing cards and two people
RULES:
Ace: means 1
Jack: means turn is over
Queen: means draw again from pile
King: means WILD and can be played anywhere!
First person to turn over all their cards in the ten frame wins!
If you run out of cards in the middle, turn over the garbage pile (discard pile) and use those again.
HOW TO PLAY:
Set up 10 cards in front of each player like a ten frame (2 rows of 5).
Put the rest of the cards face down in between your ten frames (this will become the garbage pile).
1st player draws from pile and if it is an Ace, 2-10 or King, player turns over the matching card position from their ten frame. Player keeps playing until he cannot play anymore or draws a Jack.
If he draws a card and it has a King in its place, he can move the King to another position. When he can no longer play, discard the last card into the middle, face up and that begins the garbage pile.
2nd player can choose to draw a new card or pick up the card from the garbage pile, if player needs that number. 2nd player continues with his turn.
The winner is the first player to turn over all 10 cards and completes their ten frame!
ADDITION GAMES (+)
Add It Up!
2 players, 2 dice
Each player rolls a die at the same time, the first person to find the sum of both dice earns a point, first to reach ten points wins!
Make Me!
1-4 players, 2 dice
Roll both dice. Use one as the tens digit and the other as the ones digit. Write down as many number sentences (equations) to make the rolled number as you can. For example, a rolled 1 and a 4, start you with 14.
SUBTRACTION GAMES (-)
Take Away!
2 players, 2 dice
Each player rolls a die at the same time. The first person to find the difference of both numbers earns a point. First to earn ten points wins!
Get to Zero!
2 players, 1 die
Each player starts with the score 15. On a player’s turn, they roll one die and subtract that number from 15. Continue in that fashion until one player gets down to zero.
MORE GAMES….
BEFORE AND AFTER!
1-2 players, 2 dice
Roll one or two dice depending on the level your child is able to count. Use one as the tens digit and the other as the ones digit. Then identify the numbers that would come before and after that specific number.
ROLL IT!
1-2 players, card deck, die
Using flashcards or a deck of number cards, make stacks of three cards (six piles in all).
Roll one die. Count from the left that number of piles and read the card in the stack. If you know the number, keep it. If not, put it back. Keep playing until all the cards are gone.
GARBAGE!
The children have played this game and can explain it to you. They LOVE playing in class!
NEED: 1 deck of playing cards and two people
RULES:
Ace: means 1
Jack: means turn is over
Queen: means draw again from pile
King: means WILD and can be played anywhere!
First person to turn over all their cards in the ten frame wins!
If you run out of cards in the middle, turn over the garbage pile (discard pile) and use those again.
HOW TO PLAY:
Set up 10 cards in front of each player like a ten frame (2 rows of 5).
Put the rest of the cards face down in between your ten frames (this will become the garbage pile).
1st player draws from pile and if it is an Ace, 2-10 or King, player turns over the matching card position from their ten frame. Player keeps playing until he cannot play anymore or draws a Jack.
If he draws a card and it has a King in its place, he can move the King to another position. When he can no longer play, discard the last card into the middle, face up and that begins the garbage pile.
2nd player can choose to draw a new card or pick up the card from the garbage pile, if player needs that number. 2nd player continues with his turn.
The winner is the first player to turn over all 10 cards and completes their ten frame!
ADDITION GAMES (+)
Add It Up!
2 players, 2 dice
Each player rolls a die at the same time, the first person to find the sum of both dice earns a point, first to reach ten points wins!
Make Me!
1-4 players, 2 dice
Roll both dice. Use one as the tens digit and the other as the ones digit. Write down as many number sentences (equations) to make the rolled number as you can. For example, a rolled 1 and a 4, start you with 14.
SUBTRACTION GAMES (-)
Take Away!
2 players, 2 dice
Each player rolls a die at the same time. The first person to find the difference of both numbers earns a point. First to earn ten points wins!
Get to Zero!
2 players, 1 die
Each player starts with the score 15. On a player’s turn, they roll one die and subtract that number from 15. Continue in that fashion until one player gets down to zero.
MORE GAMES….
BEFORE AND AFTER!
1-2 players, 2 dice
Roll one or two dice depending on the level your child is able to count. Use one as the tens digit and the other as the ones digit. Then identify the numbers that would come before and after that specific number.
ROLL IT!
1-2 players, card deck, die
Using flashcards or a deck of number cards, make stacks of three cards (six piles in all).
Roll one die. Count from the left that number of piles and read the card in the stack. If you know the number, keep it. If not, put it back. Keep playing until all the cards are gone.