Have you been looking for some engaging first grade math games? From math facts to place value first graders are expected to master so many math skills. Why not practice those skills with some fun games?
Why Math Games & Activities
Students should be exposed to many multi-sensory activities to improve their math skills. This could include many hands-on centers and activities to develop these important math skills. Here is a list of six first grade math skills and games that you could be used to develop each skill.
Game 1: Ten Frame Roll & Cover
Skills Practiced: Ten Frame, Compose and Decompose Numbers
The use of ten frame models to compose or decompose numbers into their parts as tens and ones.
Materials Needed: Ten Frame Roll & Cover Card; 20 Counters for each player (different colored manipulatives such as cubes or pieces of paper); 1 die
Number of Players: 2
How to Play: Children choose a side on the game card to play and who will roll first. Roll one die and count your dots. Place that many counters on your ten frames. Each time of play child should say how many counters they have on their board along with how many tens and ones. Continue taking turns rolling and placing your counters. The first person who covers both their ten frames wins!
Game 2: Two & Three Addend Roll & Bump
Skills Practiced: Adding Two & Three Addend Numbers
Adding two or three numbers together to find its sum. On the two dice board students are adding numbers with the sums of 2-12. On the three dice board students are adding three numbers together with sums of 3-18.
Materials Needed: Roll & Bump Card; 10 Markers for each student playing (different colored manipulatives such as Unifix Cubes); 2 or 3 dice
Number of Players: 2
How to Play: Two Dice: Roll two dice and add those numbers. Cover that space with your marker. You can bump your partner’s color and take their space! If you cover a space with two markers stacked on top of each other, you lock that space and can’t be bumped. The player to use all ten of their markers first is the winner! Three Dice: Roll three number cubes and add those numbers. Cover that space with your marker. You can bump your partner’s color and take their space! If you cover a space with two markers stacked on top of each other, you lock that space and can’t be bumped.
Game 3: Addition & Subtraction Slide
Skills Practiced: Addition and Subtraction Facts 0-20
The ability to add or subtract two number facts from 0-20 and finding the sums or differences of those two numbers
Materials Needed: Addition or Subtraction Slide Card; Counters for mats
Number of Players: 2
How to Play: Addition: Begin at start position on board with your marker (any manipulative will work that fits that space) and take turns rolling one dice with a partner. Move or add the number on the dice and begin to slide down the board toward number 20 as turns are taken. First person to get to the finish line wins! Subtraction: Begin at start position on board with your marker (any manipulative will work that fits that space and take turns rolling one dice with a partner. Move or subtract the number on the dice and begin to slide up the board toward number 1 as turns are taken. First person to get to the finish line wins!
Game 4: Greater Than, Less Than & Equal to Match Game
Skills Practiced: Comparing Numbers
Comparing two numbers from 0-100 by identifying which number is the greater, less or if the numbers are equal using the correct symbols for each, >, < or =.
Materials Needed: Greater Than, Less Than, & Equal to Game Cards
Number of Players: 1-4
How to Play: Children say the numbers on game card which comparison symbol would be correct. They place a paper clip or clothes pin to the correct answer of which symbol: >, < or = is correct. Students will be comparing numbers from 0-100.
Game 5: Missing Number Clip Game
Skills Practiced: Missing Numbers
An understanding of which number is missing in the sequence of three numbers.
Materials Needed: Missing Number Clip Game
Number of Players: 1-4
How to Play: Students say the numbers on game card and decide which number is missing in the sequence. They place a paper clip or clothes pin on the correct answer of what numeral is missing in the series of three numbers.
Game 6: Ten More, Ten Less, One More & One Less
Skills Practiced: Place Value
To understand the place value of numbers 0-100 by identifying ten more, ten less, one more, or one less of a given number.
Materials Needed: Ten More, Ten Less, One More, & One Less Game Card
Number of Players: 1-4
How to Play: Children look at the t-chart and find the picture item with the missing number. They decide whether they need to have ten more, ten less, one more or one less to complete the t-chart correctly. Children place a paper clip or clothes pin on the correct answer of the missing number in the t-chart.
In summary, there are many engaging first grade math games to use in your classroom. These hands-on activities and centers develop the many math skills first graders need to learn throughout the school year. With the use of multi-sensory activities such as math games, students will develop a better understanding of math skills.
Grab some free Spring Roll & Bump Games Here!
Find some more reading activities and assessments in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more first grade topics check out my blog, “Five Ways to Develop First Grade Reading Comprehension”
