Practice all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) while creating an equation with this easy to make and play game.

Materials needed:

Pencil, paper and three dice

To Play: 

Each player draws a clock with the numerals one through twelve around it.  The first player rolls three dice, they can use the numbers to create any equation to get the answer one through twelve.  The player then crosses out the answer on the clock.  Then, the next player repeats the process.  Have the players write out the equation.

For example, a player may roll a 6, 3, and 1.

The options are:  6+3+1=10 (the player would cross out their ten),  6-3-1=2,   6-1+3=8,  6-3+1=4,   6/3+1=3,  6×1+3=9.

The object of the game is to cross out all twelve numbers.  It becomes more challenging as the game continues since there are less options to choose from.  A fun way to practice math facts in all of the operations!

Dice are an easy way to practice math while having fun. Plus they are easy to pack and cheap. Little ones can get the big foam dice and just roll and try to match the two numbers on the dice. As they do this you can attempt counting the numbers if they have the attention. Do not worry it will come. Some die also come with the written numeral on them which is also good for the little ones to start identifying numbers.

A few activities:
Roll ‘em:
1. Each person rolls a die and the one with the larger number wins the round.
(to extend this you can use tally marks to keep score on a paper or board.)
2. Each person rolls two-three dice and adds them. The person with the largest number wins the round. This can also be done with multiplication and subtraction.

Race Car:
Using poster board, draw a road and mark lines like a gameboard. Each player rolls a die and moves the amount of spaces, first to reach the end wins. We use hot wheels as the markers. The many versions of this are what your child is “into” at the time. For example, trains tracks, steps to a castle, Earth to moon-draw (the beginning) earth and draw stars to the moon (the end).

Collecting:
This again is a homemade game that can use any collection of things. You use two dice to add or subtract (Can do multiplication but will need to have a large collection.) For example, we use sea shells. The player rolls the dice and adds the numbers and collects that amount. Each player continues, the player with the largest collection is the winner.