Tis the season for toys galore. Consider adding math games, puzzles and books to your shopping list to introduce kids to how fun math can be.
When kids play games, they use their creativity and develop their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. The Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival (JRMF) staff share their current favorites below.
1. The Crew
Photo credit: Amazon
A collaborative game comprised of 50 missions in outerspace. The only way to succeed is to work together as a team.
2. Pentago
Photo courtesy of Amazon
This two-player game teaches kids as young as 6 spatial orientation, hand/eye coordination, problem solving and logic.
3. Love Letter
Photo courtesy of Amazon
A fun and fast game of risk and deduction. Outwit your opponents and earn the trust of the princess.
4. Camel Up
Photo courtesy of Amazon
In this probability and strategy game, you’ll bet on five racing camels, trying to suss out which ones will place first and second in a quick race around a pyramid.
5. Math Games with Bad Drawings
Photo courtesy of Amazon
All you need is pen and paper for the dozens of math games in this book for hours of math fun and challenges.
6. Prime Climb
Photo courtesy of Math for Love
For kids 8+, Prime Climb is a game of strategy and luck that teaches multiplication, division and prime numbers in fast-paced, dynamic play. It’s a favorite among math teachers.
7. Uma Wimple Charts Her House
Photo courtesy of Amazon
The 2022 Mathicle book prize winner highlights a variety of charts, from a pizza pie chart, to an ice cream venn diagram, to phases of the moon.
8. Chocolate Fix
Photo courtesy of Think Fun
Help kids taste sweet, sweet victory when they play this Sudoku-esque game.
9. SET
Photo courtesy of Amazon
One of the most awarded games of all time, and for good reason.
10. Without Words: Mathematical Puzzles to Confound and Delight
Photo courtesy of Amazon
No words. No clues. Just 36 puzzles, ranging from easy to difficult.
What other math games, puzzles or books would you add to the list? Email us at info@jrmf.org for a future compilation!
