Card Race

• This is a great game that must be played in pairs. If you are doing it in a classroom, you will need one deck of cards for every two students. Place the deck of cards between the two students, dividing it so each student has half a deck of cards in front of them. Then, tell the students what type of calculation they are doing, such as multiplication, addition or even more complicated calculations (multiply the two numbers, then divide them by two). When you say "go," have each student flip over the top card in the pile. Whichever student blurts out the correct answer first wins both cards. When the two piles are gone, count the cards and see which student won.
  
  

Around the World

• This games uses flashcards to pit one student against another in a race to see who can answer a math question first. Have the first student in a row stand up and stand beside the desk of the next student in the row. If you are not in a classroom, simply form a line with the children. When the first two children are both ready, show them the first flashcard. The first student to blurt out the correct answer gets to move on and challenge the student at the next desk. The student who loses must sit down. Continue until every student has gone as far as they can. Whichever student won the most matches wins.
  
  

Math Bingo

• This game also uses flashcards. Ask the children to fold a piece of paper in half four times, then unfold it. They should end up with 16 equal-sized squares. Then, have the children randomly write numbers in those squares. If you are working with basic addition and subtraction facts, ask them to write numbers between 1 and 20. Remind them not to repeat a number. If you are working with multiplication, they should write numbers between 4 and 81. Then, hold up a set of flashcards with math problems on them. For example, if you hold up a flashcard that says "7 X 7," the students should look at their cards to see if they wrote the number "49" anywhere. If they did, they can put an X on that square. Set the card aside, and draw another one. The first student to get four squares in a row marked off wins. Remind the students not to say the answer aloud or they are out of the game.