As kids learn math, it’s important to make sure they have a chance to practice their skills in a fun and engaging way. These games, ranging from basic addition and subtraction to shape recognition and measurement, are the perfect way to help kids master essential 2nd grade skills while still having fun!
These games are geared toward grade 2, but many can be modified for different age groups. For example, adding or subtracting a single digit can make the game easier, and even using a hundred chart instead of a base ten system can adjust the challenge. You can also add or remove a few key concepts, such as multiplication or division, to make the game harder or easier.
Number Line and a Hundreds Chart
A great way to build addition and subtraction skills is with a number line and a hundreds chart. This game makes learning place value easy and fun, as players race to fill in all the numbers on their chart before their opponent does.
Capture the Flag
Another way to reinforce number sense is by playing a variation of Capture the Flag. This game has kids toss bean bags into bins numbered with various place values, such as ones, fives, and tens. Then, they can use their counting skills to figure out how many bags are in each box and write it on their board. This is a fantastic qwirkle game for building fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as well as helping kids improve their math vocabulary.
Dice Game
Practicing addition with a dice game is always a good idea. This one is especially helpful for second graders because it teaches how to use addition and subtraction in combination to solve a problem. Another fun addition game is Sum Swamp, which takes kids on a swamp adventure as they use their math skills to meet swamp creatures. This game helps develop math fluency and is a great choice when students need a fast-paced activity.
Fun Spin
You can also give a fun spin on the traditional game of hopscotch by adding a math twist. Have children skip count to build their multiplication skills, or practice counting by two or odd and even numbers while jumping around the board. Another great way to work on jump-counting is by playing this game, which only requires a piece of chalk and some willing participants.
This game is the perfect choice when you need a whole-class activity that doesn’t require any special materials. Have students line up at the end of a classroom or outside, and then let the games begin! As they answer questions, each student who raises their hand to the correct answer gets to move forward a few steps. The first student to reach the other side or goal line wins!
