I don’t know about you but when I left school I thought ‘Great I am never going to have to do Maths schoolwork again’ well I didn’t think very hard about that did I. I had 3 kids that all have needed Maths help over the years!
We have tried a few things to help kids with Maths over the years, so I thought I would pass on our ideas and things we’ve used.
Things We Use To Help Kids With Maths
Fiddly Maths Toys
One of my daughters is very active, she hates to sit still for very long and would much prefer to sit with something in her hands to help her sit still! So I found these great mathematical magnet toy, with 6 magnetic discs you can change them all around to create sums.
They also have been using items like number cubes, and fraction blocks these are lovely visual items that they can use with their hands. Also, number lines are great, I also spotted this great large number line mat that you can use on the floor to jump from! Mine would have loved that when they were just learning about numbers.
Making It Fun With Numbalee
Making learning fun is a big thing. Schools don’t always have time to teach all the kids something in a fun style. So this is when we can come in. We were sent Numbalee, a brand new tiles based game that all the family can play. It is aimed at 6+, I have a 13-year-old son and a set of 8-year-old twins, and they all would be suited for this. As well as being able to play it as a family too. I need my Maths skills brushed up on!
What I loved about this game is how many different games you can play in it, there are 12 games to choose from, which ranges from 1-8 players. The first game we played was basically like scrabble with numbers. It got my kids really thinking about their Maths skills, creating sums and problem-solving.
It is also packaged in a great little bag, so perfect for travelling too, and priced at Numbalee. Take a look at Numbalee website for more information.
Prompts Around The Home
I found that my kids absorb information even when they don’t think they are learning. Popping up times table posters or post it notes around the house really helps. On the back of the bathroom door in front of the toilet is a good one!
If your kids are younger look into creating your own interactive maths activity book for preschoolers, something you can create yourself at home and will keep them interested in math activities.
Sing Songs
How about signing times tables songs?! I don’t mean those boring ones you had to reel off over and over again when we were kids. MathsRockx is an app that has times tables in pop songs! Songs that the kids know and love.
Online Games
Even the schools now use and suggest we get them to play online maths games. MyMaths and Times Tables Rock Starz are suggested ones by our school and my girls love playing them.
There are so many different online games for the children to play that help improve their maths skills, get the children to try math jigsaw puzzles online as they will love putting it all together and learning at the same time.
While there are lots of fun online maths games and educational apps that can help kids practise their skills, it’s also important to make sure they’re safe while exploring the internet. This guide on teaching kids to be safe online offers excellent tips on how to help children use digital resources safely and confidently.
Online games are brilliant for practice, but if your child needs more than that, it’s worth looking at the best math tutor online for proper one-to-one sessions. Mine always do better when someone can explain a topic a different way and stick with it until it clicks.
Ask The Teenager……
When I asked Tyler what he likes to use for his Maths practice……..a Brain and a Calculator!
So is there anything you love using to help kids with Maths? Thanks for Craft Multimedia for their Maths tips too
56 Comments
Always looking for more ideas on making maths more fun, thank you for these! x #bloggerpinparty
Hope you have fun!
I love anything that makes learning fun. These look great. We have something similar but simpler for our 5 year old. Thanks for joining #bloggerpinparty
Thanks, great to make any learning fun as they adsorb things so much better
After seeing your instagram post I had to find out what you were up to. I love the sound of Numberlee. My children enjoy maths, and we can all use a bit of practise and speeding up, so I’ll investigate that game – thank you 🙂
Thank you very much, it keeps getting picked up and played with so it’s been a good success
I have used some of these resources before- but never come across Numberlee so that will be useful to check out- thank you! #bloggerpinparty
It’s good fun and keeps all of them happy!
Great ideas! It’s always easier to learn when it’s fun! #bloggerpinparty
Thank you
I will have to check out those songs!!! I too hated maths at school so I try and find ways to make maths as fun as possible.I even had to buy a help your child with maths books as my 8 year old had homework that i did in year 9!!!
Yes they are making it so much harder now for them aren’t they, it’s scary!
I think the key thing to encouraging children to learn is to make it a fun environment for them to do so. Number games are such a good idea, we use number flashcards in lots of different games to help with number recognition.
Oh yes flashcards are another great idea, kids love anything they can hold and touch don’t they
oh this looks so good – I will definitely be adding this to my basket on Amazon!
Glad it has helped you, thank you
My daughter is starting to build her maths skills now, and this game would be great for her. It sounds really versatile
Thank you, it’s great that it can be adapted to be played with so many ages ranges too
My kids love maths and this looks like a great tool to help them build on things they have learned in school
Yes it’s fun to build on their skills, always surprises me how much they know too!
I’m with you, I hated maths in school and absolutely dread having to do it with my kids – anything to make that easier has to be a good thing! I also agree that tools to make learning fun and interesting in any way are always appreciated!
Glad i’m not alone on this one then!!
I’m just starting to really concentrate on maths for my little one so this post has been very helpful. I’m definitely trying to make it fun, that’s what my gran did with me & I loved maths so that’s the approach I’m taking. I’m going to check out numbalee for sure.
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Thank you, glad it was helpful. It’s so much nicer for kids to enjoy learning. They learn so much more then too
These are al great ideas. My son is just In Reception but is already learning basic maths skills, will keep these ideas in mind for as he starts to learn more xx
Thank you, its lovely seeing them learning lots of new things isn’t it.
I have never seen these before. They look and sound great. Anything to help learning a little more fun is great 🙂
Thank you
Teenager is spot on lol, back in the day it was either your brain or calculator but these days learning maths is much more fun
Haha! Yep I had a few cubes to learn my Maths with!! But I’m not that great at it so bring on the fun and games!!!
This would be great for my niece and nephew. They will find it so useful.
Thank you, hope it’s useful
These actually look really good . Would definately use them with a Alessia , she is t so keen on maths
Yes it is good to find something that makes them have a little more interest, if it’s fun and a game mine are happy!!
I think that making it fun with such a game is so important. I used to hate maths and I wish I had that when I was a kid!
Yes I know what you mean, I learn even now when it is much interactive
These are great, I think it’s a good idea to make it feel like a game as it makes learning easier x
Yes it holds their attention longer doesn’t it, thanks
This is exactly what I need right now – my son is 6 and I’m really struggling to make maths fun for him!
Glad it was helpful for you, and hope he enjoys them
Oh I love the look of these – I am useless at maths! Thank you for sharing. Kaz
So I am I but this game was quite fun for me too!
Numbalee looks fab and I’m just being introduced to numbers at school ( I am only 5 after all) we tend to sing a lot at school to help information get absorbed into our brains -it works!
Singing is so much fun!!
Oh I hated maths with a passion and just never really understood it! I am okay with mental arithmetic but anything else and my brain would be fried! haha Unfortunately, my kids seem to have inherited by maths prowess and they both struggle, too! We definitely need a fun game to make boring maths fun and this sounds like the perfect thing!
Yes I really struggled too, I hate numbers!!! Hopefully these ideas make it a little more fun!
Oh this looks a good way. My double trouble are really into their numbers and adding and subtracting. I think they would really love this
I love how good it is for all age ranges too, you can make it as hard or easy as you want
Amazing tips! I am always looking for ways to help my children with their maths!
Thank you, I’m glad you like the tips
My daughter is only four but is really into numbers…we try to teach them in every day situations especially with things like halving. I love the look of Numbalee!
Yes that’s a brilliant way, mine use to love counting up the stairs!
These are great ! I honestly never knew that these existed ! My teenager loves math but my youngest not so much . I reckon he would have fun with these. Thanks so much !
Glad to give you some ideas, the kids love them so hopefully yours will too
Some fabulous tips I shall be using! The Numbalee tiles look fantastic and engaging, making maths slightly more fun to play with at home! Sim x
Yes mine really enjoyed these, thank you