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.

SUPER ENGAGING MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS THAT ARE A BLAST
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

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.
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TIPS FOR TEACHING HANDS-ON MATH
Follow these tips to make your math activities for kids a little easier.

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 
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Hands-On Math Projects with Real-Life Applications, Grades 3-5
THE ULTIMATE LIST OF FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Try these fun math activities for kids in your classroom!
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FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL

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FUN MATH ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY

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HANDS ON MATH WORKSHEETS FOR KIDS

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SEASONAL MATH ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

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