Easy, Quick, Math Games

One of the sessions I attended at NWMC focused on easy games designed to help students work on basic skills while encouraging higher level thinking skills. Most of these games do not require much more than paper and pencil for the students. The teacher doesn't need anything more than numbers, dice, or markers.


1. "24". is a game where the teacher provides four random numbers between 1 and 9.  The students have to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and grouping.  The idea is students need to use all four numbers with the appropriate operations to make 24. This game can be done as speed  competitions if you want.  It provides immediate feedback, while creating mathematical dialog.  At the end of the year, hold a tournament with brackets and everything.

2. "Bowling".  Students write the numbers 1 to 10 in a vertical column.  Provide 3 single digit numbers between 0 and 9.  This is the first roll.  Students are to use these numbers to find as many numbers on the list mathematically.
You get a 1, 5, 7
1 = 7 - (5 + 1)
2 = 7 -5 * 1
3 = (7-5) + 1
4 = 5 - 1^7
5 = 5 * 1 ^ 7
6 = 5 + 1^7
7 = 7 * 1^5
8 = 7 + 1^5
9 =
10 =
Once you've done all the numbers you can, you'll roll again and have students use these numbers until they can't find any more.

3. "Hit, Almost, Miss.  You choose a three digit number.  Students make a guess on the digits giving three at a time.  You'll write H for you got the right number, A is Almost in that the number is there but not in that place, and M is for miss or you didn't get close to the number.  It is best to write the H, A, M in a triangle so students don't know exactly which digit it is.

4.  Throw away.  You have students make 6 spaces so you have three in one row and three in the next row to look like this.   ___. ____.  _____
                                    ____. ____  _____
                                   ___________________

You give a target number such as 981.  So you roll one number and call it out.  Students decide if they want to keep the number or throw it out.  If they keep it, they have to write it in a space, they cannot wait.  Then roll another number and repeat.  Eventually, you will roll the dice 9 times and students use 6 numbers while throwing out three.  Numbers can be repeated and students may add or subtract the three digit numbers to get the final one.

Here are four games you can use to spice up your classroom, give students a chance to practice skills and promote higher level thinking and mathematical discourse.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.