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50+ Fun Math Activities for Kids

Most kids hate math.

But it’s not usually math’s fault, it’s the textbook’s fault.

Kids love learning math when they can learn using fun math activities for kids. 

It doesn’t take a lot to convert a math hater into a math lover with the ultimate list of math activities for kids.

You may be surprised at how much better kids learn when doing hands-on math projects!

Add these math challenges to your STEM activities for kids.

Kids will love these fun math activities for kids! Make math fun with these hands-on math activities for preschool, hands-on math activities for kindergarten, and math challenges for elementary. There is no end to what you can learn in these math challenges for kids! #math #handsonmath #mathactivities #handsonlearning #kidsactivities #iteachtoo #mathclass

SUPER ENGAGING MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS THAT ARE A BLAST

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Learning math doesn’t have to be a chore! Even kids who hate math will start to love it when you do these fun math activities for kids. 

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WHY HANDS ON MATH PROJECTS?

Research has found that using math manipulatives, and engaging in other hands-on math activities is the key to retaining math.

Children usually remember what they learn in a textbook for a short period of time. This is why you’ll often see kids suffer from “summer slide,” where kids forget half of what they learned the year before and must spend the first two months of school getting back to where they were last May.

For full understanding of most math concepts, children benefit most from lessons that are grounded in experience with concrete objects. This basis of math instruction helps build a foundation of mathematical thinking and makes it easier for children to understand abstract math in the future.

Even some abstract math concepts can be explained in physical form.

Above all, math that a child can see is math that a child will remember.

That’s why hands-on math activities for kids are so beneficial!

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THE BENEFITS OF FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Kids will love these fun math activities for kids! Make math fun with these hands-on math activities for preschool, hands-on math activities for kindergarten, and math challenges for elementary. There is no end to what you can learn in these math challenges for kids! #math #handsonmath #mathactivities #handsonlearning #kidsactivities #iteachtoo #mathclass

Why should kids do hands on math activities?

When children are young, they cannot understand abstract thinking.

You might be able to get a child to remember math facts, but unless that child is doing math in a hands-on way, she won’t understand WHY the math works.

And if a kid can’t understand why, it’s easy to get confused and give up when math starts getting a little more difficult.

Using math activities lets kids explore math concepts like multiplying, adding, subtracting, dividing, fractions, and other concepts in the physical realm.

Even advanced topics like geometry and algebra are easier for kids to understand when using a hands-on math activity.

In short, a child who does hands-on math activities, is a child who has a better understanding of math and will do better in math all the way through college.

Check out: The Ultimate List of Science Experiments for Kids

TIPS FOR TEACHING HANDS-ON MATH

Follow these tips to make your math activities for kids a little easier.

Kids will love these fun math activities for kids! Make math fun with these hands-on math activities for preschool, hands-on math activities for kindergarten, and math challenges for elementary. There is no end to what you can learn in these math challenges for kids!

Choose Age-Appropriate Topics

Don’t have first graders counting money or something they have no interest in. Try bringing in fun manipulatives that they love, like little action figures, small toys, and other things they are familiar with.

Older kids won’t want to solve how long it takes two buses to pass each other, but they may wonder when they might pass their friend on a bike leaving at different times.

Use fun kid-friendly themes, like balloons, candy, emojis, superheros, collectible toys, and other things relevant to the child’s interest.

Stack Concepts

Hands on math activities can take time to put together. So, maximize your activities by stacking concepts.

Maybe kids can design a house that includes elements of geometry, multiplication, division, and money math.

Younger kids might be able to work in adding and subtracting during the same lesson.

Look for hands on math projects that encompass several math topics at once to save time.

Let Kids Explore

You don’t always have to have a strict goal for each hands on math activity.

For some math exploration, let kids play with the manipulatives and activities on their own.

You may be surprised at what they pick up without any adult input.

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MATH MANIPULATIVES FOR KIDS

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HANDS ON MATH BOOKS FOR KIDS Number Formation Pack 1

Number Formation Activity Pack

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THE ULTIMATE LIST OF FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS 

Kids will love these fun math activities for kids! Make math fun with these hands-on math activities for preschool, hands-on math activities for kindergarten, and math challenges for elementary. There is no end to what you can learn in these math challenges for kids! #math #handsonmath #mathactivities #handsonlearning #kidsactivities #iteachtoo #mathclass

Try these fun math activities for kids in your classroom!

elementary stem challenge cards

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FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL

These math counting bear printables feature word challenge cards teaching kindergartners addition and subtraction. Perfect as a math center activity!

Penguin Math Activities

Kindergarten Apple Number Match Game

Valentine Math Bingo Game

Kindergarten/First Grade Strawberry Math Fact Cards

Conversation Heart Math

Hands On Math with Clay Number Manipulatives

Pattern Block Hearts

Pattern Block Christmas Tree

Counting Bear Math Activities

Bug Theme Bingo

FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY

Love lemons? Love lemonade? Kids will love these adorable lemon fraction clip cards that help them identify fractions in lemons and lemonade! So much fun!

Conversation Heart Venn Diagram Factors

Venn Diagram Dice Probability

Peeps Math Activities

Lemonade Fraction Clip Cards

Math Fraction Art Project

Multiplication Dice Game

Learning Math with a Play Store

Hands On Geometry Activities

How Many Kids Can Santa Visit Math Challenge

Make a Paper Mobius Strip

Uno Math Game

HANDS ON MATH WORKSHEETS FOR KIDS

These math counting bear printables feature word challenge cards teaching kindergartners addition and subtraction. Perfect as a math center activity!

Valentine Math Bingo Game

Bug Theme Bingo

Counting Bear Math Cards

HOW TO MAKE MATH FUN FOR KIDS

Celebrate pi day in style with these fun educational pi day activities for kids where learning is just part of the fun! Kids will love these creative ideas.

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Hands On Math with Clay Number Manipulatives

SEASONAL MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Keeping math skills boosted in the summer doesn't have to be boring! Use these ideas to make your own DIY math summer camp at home!

DIY Math Summer Camp for Kids

Penguin Math Activities

Kindergarten Apple Number Match Game

Valentine Math Bingo Game

Valentine Math Bingo Game

Conversation Heart Venn Diagram Factors

Pattern Block Hearts

Pattern Block Christmas Tree

How Many Kids Can Santa Visit Math Challenge

Peeps Math Activities

elementary stem challenge cards

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