In Kindergarten, it is important to make students excited to learn about maths in the world around them. Kindergarten students need to have the space to explore, make connections and come to their own realizations about numbers and shapes – and games are a great way to do this! Whether you are homeschooling or teaching a class, here are 23 math games perfect for Kindergarten-aged students. Try them out and watch the maths magic happen!
1. Online Math Games
Looking for an easy lesson activity with no preparation? Then these online games are perfect! Here you will find 70 free online games for your students to play, covering the 8 main topic areas.
Learn more: education.com
2. PBS Online Math Games
The PBS website is free and has games linked to a range of topics to engage students in their math learning. Students will find over 100 games here featuring many familiar and friendly characters, such as Curious George, Elmo, and Dr. Seuss!
Learn more: pbskids.org
3. Splash Learn
Splash Learn online games are free and super fun! There are 61 games that cover a wide range of Kindergarten topics, including place value and number sense, addition and subtraction, time, money, measurement, data, and geometry.
Learn more: splashlearn.com
4. Cool Kindergarten Online Games
Another great online resource for Kindergarten students. On this site, there are four key learning themes that students can explore through interactive videos and games. The graphics are engaging and super kid-friendly.
Learn more: coolkindergarten.com
5. Counting Game!
Materials: dice, small items to count, small bowls or cups
This game is great for students to play in pairs or individually. Students will roll the dice and place that many items into their bowl. Take turns and keep going until one person has put all of their items into their bowl!
Learn more: buggyandbuddy.com
6. Addition and Subtraction Tower
Materials: dice, 2x2 Duplo blocks
Roll the dice and see who can make the tallest tower in this addition and subtraction tower game! Students simply roll the dice and add that many bricks to their tower. Or, if your students need a subtraction challenge, get them to build two equal-sized towers, roll the dice and then remove that many bricks. This time the shortest tower wins.
Learn more: frugalfun4boys.com
7. Play Dough Stamp and Count
Materials: playdoh, various Duplo blocks, scrap paper, pen, a tray (optional)
Engage your students with stamping fun while they learn addition pairs! Simply write numbers on pieces of paper and tell students to stamp that amount on their playdough using Duplo bricks with 1, 2, 4, or 8 dots. Challenge them to make a number like 17 – if they have already stamped 8 dots, how many more to go? As an added bonus, this game helps to build students' fine motor skills at the same time as their maths skills!
Learn more: frugalfun4boys.com
8. Number Matching with Cups
Materials: paper cups, markers
This game is great for students who are learning to count. Draw circles with a different number of dots inside. Label the bottom of the cups with numbers 1 to 10 and students can try to match the cup to the correct circle on the paper.
Learn more: funlearningforkids.com
9. Playdough Subtraction Smash
Materials: subtraction playdoh mat, playdoh, markers
Let the students roll 10 balls of playdough and place them down on the mat handout. Give students an amount to subtract and students can smash that number of balls to reveal the answer. This activity is a great way to learn subtraction and release some anger!
Learn more: 123homeschool4me.com
10. Play Dough Numbers
Materials: playdough, printable numbers.
Optional Materials: beads, seeds, dry beans
Help your students to learn their numbers with this fun sensory activity! Simply place a number mat on the table and ask the children to manipulate the playdoh to create that number with the dough. A great game to support students’ fine motor skills and number recognition.
Learn more: howwelearn.com
11. Snowman Counting
Materials: snowman cut out, markers, buttons, hat cut-outs
In this game, students simply cut out a snowman and some hats from cardstock. Write numbers on the snowmans’ hats and let the students place the hat on the snowman by matching the number of buttons to the number on the hat.
Learn more: cbc.ca
12. Counting with Unifix Cubes
Materials: addition flashcards, unit cubes
Counting with unfix cubes is a great way for students to practice addition. Simply place flashcards on the floor or table and let the students solve the questions by collecting the correct amount of unit cubes.
Learn more: homegrownlearners.com
13. Spin and Collect
Materials: worksheet, paper clip, unit cubes
In this activity, students each spin the spinner 10 times and circle the number they land on each time. When the students land on a number, they must collect the same number of cubes. In the end, the students will count all of their cubes and see who collected the most.
Learn more: susanjonesteaching.com
14. Animal Pattern Block Mats
Materials: colored blocks, free animal pattern mat
Do your students love learning about the ocean? Then this super fun hands-on activity is for you! In this activity, students use colored blocks to make animal patterns. In addition to learning about shapes and patterns, extend your students by talking about the features of each animal and use this activity as a chance to practice fine motor skills and visual discrimination.
Learn more: lifeovercs.com
15. Make That Number
Materials needed: worksheet, dice
This game can be used to practice both subtraction and addition! Students will roll dice, generating numbers for addition and subtraction sums. Then, students color in or use a do-a-dot marker to mark the totals they have made. When a student gets four in a row, the game is over.
Learn more: themeasuredmom.com
16. Frog Jump Game
Materials: painters tape, tape measure
Optional Material: frog cut out
Students will practice their counting and measuring skills in this fun jumping game. Students will jump like a frog a certain number of times and measure how far they traveled. Use rulers to introduce standard units of measure or a piece of string or other objects to reinforce the students’ understanding of non-standard units.
Learn more: coffeecupsandcrayons.com
17. Goldfish Counting
Materials: goldfish crackers, counting cards
Do your students like eating goldfish crackers? If so, entice them into this activity by using the crackers to learn and practice counting! Hand out a range of goldfish bowl counting cards and have the students cover each fish picture with a goldfish cracker – just be sure students don’t eat them instead!
Learn more: lifeovercs.com
18. Matching Game Obstacle Course
Materials: string, chairs, pegs, deck of cards or sticky notes
Weave string back and forth between a hallway of chairs to create an obstacle course for your students. Peg cards or sticky notes with numbers onto the string and give students a number to navigate their way through the obstacle course to collect.
Learn more: handsonaswegrow.com
19. Marshmallow Subtraction
Materials: marshmallows, markers, free printable worksheet
Another great activity for hungry students – and in this activity, eating is encouraged! Students can learn subtraction with marshmallows, counting out the total number, and eating the amount subtracted to discover the total amount left behind.
Learn more: lifeovercs.com
20. Sunglasses Addition
Materials required: Sunglasses printable, scissors, glue
Let students learn addition in this practical activity. Students must find the matching addition sum and total to make a complete pair of sunglasses!
Learn more: adabofgluewilldo.com
21. One More One Less
Materials: free worksheet, dice, crayons or color pencils
This activity is a great way to practice one more or one less than. Students take turns to roll a dice and color the hexagon that is either one more or one less than the number on the dice.
Learn more: susanjonesteaching.com
22. Number Sense
Materials: worksheet, scissors, color pencils, glue
Through this game, students in Kindergarten can further develop their number sense through sorting through cards showing different representations of a number and other numbers.
Learn more: themoffattgirls.com
The math games reviewed in this article cover a whole host of math topics for Kindergarten, including place value, number sense, shape, and measurements. The hands-on nature of the activities is sure to engage young learners and help them to become more comfortable with difficult math concepts. So what are you waiting for? Start trying them out and building your students’ love of math today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can a 5-year-old count?
Most students of this age are able to recognize and count to 10. However, students that are closer to 6 or who have engaged in extra tuition may also be able to count to 100, although this is not expected.
How can you make math fun?
Playing fun math games and building in opportunities for hands-on learning is the best way to keep students active and engaged while also supporting the development of their understanding of complex math topics.
What kind of math do Kindergarteners learn?
The key areas covered in Kindergarten include counting, addition, subtraction, measurement, and geometry.
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