| Math is a part of everyday life. We use math when go | | | | with kids. Let them use a thermometer to test cold or |
| shopping, calculate distance when traveling, cook a | | | | hot food items. |
| yummy recipe, plant a garden, and play games. Kids | | | | Have them help with gardening and measure how tall |
| can learn math concepts such as estimating, word | | | | the plants grow. They can use a measuring tape or |
| problems, time and distance, measurement and basic | | | | ruler to plant seeds a specific distance apart. Or have |
| addition and subtraction when playing games. Here are | | | | kids draw a diagram of their bedroom and measure |
| six different kid math activity ideas that are easy and | | | | how big the room is. They can measure the doorway, |
| fun: | | | | windows, closet etc. |
| Counting games include putting jelly beans or candy | | | | Play games such as tic-tac-toe, checkers, chess, card |
| corn into a large clear jar. Have kids look at the jar and | | | | and dice games. These games encourage counting, |
| estimate the number of candy pieces they think might | | | | finding patterns, and solving problems. A fun dice game |
| be in the jar. Then as a group, count out the candy | | | | includes drawing a funny creature. To play the game, |
| and see who had the closest guess. | | | | you need a pair of dice, plain paper, and markers. Kids |
| Play a guessing game with coins. Give each child one | | | | will roll the dice and add the two numbers together. |
| of each kind of coin. Ask questions such as; five of | | | | Whatever the answer is they will draw that |
| this coin adds up to a nickel. Gradually ask harder | | | | corresponding creature feature on their paper. |
| questions once the child masters each question. | | | | - Roll the sum of 2 and draw a nose |
| Practice addition by asking what coins make 35 cents | | | | - Roll the sum of 3 and draw a mouth |
| or how many pennies will he or she give you for a | | | | - Roll the sum of 4 and draw ears |
| dime? | | | | - Roll the sum of 5 or 6 and draw a leg |
| When traveling, point out speed limits and distances to | | | | - Roll the sum of 7 and draw a head |
| travel from one place to another. Let them use a map | | | | - Roll the sum of 8 and draw hair |
| and calculate how long it will take to travel between | | | | - Roll the sum of 9 and draw a tail |
| two towns. Have kids figure out the time to travel a | | | | - Roll the sum of 10 or 11 and draw an eye |
| particular distance when driving at different speeds. | | | | - Roll the sum of 12 and draw an arm |
| Cooking is a wonderful way to practice many math | | | | Each player should have at least six turns to create a |
| skills. Lets them help measure out ingredients and | | | | funny creature. Afterwards discuss their creatures, |
| discuss fractions with them. How many quarter cups | | | | how many eyes or legs do they have? They can |
| are there in one cup? Make a pizza and cut into eight | | | | even discuss the statistics of which numbers came up |
| slices. How many slices are there in one-half of the | | | | the most when rolling the dice. |
| pizza? Talk about cooking times and temperatures | | | | |