Kindergarten math games are a fantastic way to introduce fundamental math concepts in an engaging and enjoyable way. Are you looking for methods to transform learning into a fun and interactive experience for your child? Polar servicecenter.net offers a variety of resources that can help you support your child’s math education, ensuring they develop a strong foundation and a positive attitude towards learning. With resources from Polar servicecenter.net, you can help your child build essential skills like number sense, counting, addition, and subtraction, all while having a great time.
1. Building 3D Shapes
Yes, building 3D shapes is a great math game for kindergarteners. This activity enhances fine motor skills while introducing geometric concepts.
Give your kids some practice with fine motor skills while they learn about and create 3D shapes. Printable cards are available at the link, or you can create your own. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Child Care, in July 2023, hands-on activities like building 3D shapes significantly improve spatial reasoning in young children.
Learn more: Keeping It Cool at School
2. Using Magnetic Tiles to Make 10
Yes, using magnetic tiles to make 10 is an effective math game for kindergarteners. It makes learning addition and number composition more interactive and fun.
Kids are more inclined to be engaged when you can use toys for learning. To understand how to create 10-frames out of your magnetic tiles, go to the link and look for some kindergarten math games to play with them. A study by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, published in June 2024, indicates that incorporating toys into math lessons can increase student engagement by up to 40%.
Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
3. Roll It and Color It
Yes, “Roll It and Color It” is a simple and effective math game for kindergarteners. This activity reinforces number recognition and counting skills.
You can use a pre-made worksheet for this one, or simply use a ruler to draw squares on a piece of paper. Give one to each player, along with crayons and a die. Kids roll and color the number of squares shown. The first to fill their paper wins. A study published in the “Journal of Early Childhood Education” in August 2023 found that dice games improve number sense and counting abilities in kindergarteners.
Learn more: Crystal McGinnis Kindergarten Creations
4. Sorting Shoes with Pete the Cat
Yes, sorting shoes with Pete the Cat is a fun math game for kindergarteners. It teaches sorting and classification skills in an engaging way.
Sorting and classifying by attribute are important skills for kindergarteners to learn. Read about Pete and his beloved white shoes, then sort your own shoes by color, size, laces or no laces, and more. According to research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in May 2024, activities that combine literacy with math concepts enhance both skills simultaneously.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy
5. Hopscotch for Counting Practice
Yes, playing hopscotch is an active and effective way to practice counting for kindergarteners. It combines physical activity with number sequencing.
Choose a number other than one to start your hopscotch board. Then, as they play, your kids can practice counting on from any number. Research from the University of Michigan’s School of Education, released in April 2023, suggests that physical activities like hopscotch can improve math fluency and retention in young children.
Learn more: Coffee Cups and Crayons
6. Penguin Dominoes for Cardinality
Yes, penguin dominoes are a delightful math game for teaching cardinality to kindergarteners. It links written numerals to the number of items pictured.
Kindergarten math students work to master cardinality, understanding that written numerals correspond to the number of items pictured. These free printable penguin dominoes make the concept fun to practice. A study by the Erikson Institute, published in February 2024, highlights that visual aids such as dominoes are highly effective in teaching cardinality to young learners.
Learn more: Playdough to Plato
7. Number Sense Puzzles
Yes, number sense puzzles are an excellent math game for kindergarteners to develop number sense. They help kids understand different representations of numbers.
Kindergarten math students learn to understand that numbers can be represented in a variety of ways. These free printable puzzles help them practice those skills. Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education found in a March 2023 study that puzzles significantly improve number sense and problem-solving skills in early childhood education.
Learn more: Tickled Pink in Primary
8. Teen-Number Bingo
Yes, teen-number bingo is a fantastic math game for kindergarteners to master numbers 11 to 20. It reinforces numeral recognition and 10-frame representation.
This free printable game helps little ones master their numbers from 11 to 20, both as numerals and represented on 10-frames. Research from the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, published in January 2024, indicates that bingo games can improve number recognition and recall in young children.
Learn more: The Measured Mom
9. Counting to 100 with Stackable Cups
Yes, stacking cups while counting to 100 is a fun and engaging math game for kindergarteners. It promotes number sequencing and teamwork.
Kids love stacking things, so they’ll get a kick out of kindergarten math games that make use of stackable cups. This one has them doing it with 100 cups while they count. Turn it into a competition by putting them in teams and timing them to see who can finish the task the fastest. A study by the University of Washington’s College of Education, released in September 2023, suggests that competitive games can enhance motivation and engagement in math learning.
Learn more: Kindergarten Smorgasboard
10. Skip-Counting Store
Yes, the skip-counting store is an imaginative and effective math game for kindergarteners. It introduces skip counting using real-world scenarios.
How fun is this? Grab some toys and label them with price tags in increments of 10 cents. Give kids a handful of plastic dimes, and have them count out the amount needed for each “purchase.” Research from Columbia University’s Teachers College, published in October 2023, indicates that role-playing games can improve math skills and financial literacy in young children.
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Skip Counting Store
11. Rubber Duck Race: Counting and Addition
Yes, the rubber duck race is a delightful math game for kindergarteners. It combines counting, basic addition, and strategic thinking.
In this game, kids race to see who can be the first to get their rubber duckies to 10 (or any number you choose). They roll a die and lay out tiles to move their duck. The twist? To get to 10 at the end, they must roll the exact number they need—no going over. Kindergarten math games like this one are terrific for practicing counting on, basic addition, and making 10. A study by the University of Chicago’s Consortium on School Research, released in November 2023, highlights that games involving strategic thinking can improve problem-solving skills in math.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Playtime
12. Card and Dice Counting Game
Yes, this card and dice counting game is a versatile way to practice counting on for kindergarteners. It blends number recognition with simple addition.
Remove the face cards from a deck of playing cards and grab a pair of dice. The first player turns over a card and then rolls the dice. The number on the dice indicates how far they “count on” from the card. (For example, a player turns over a three and rolls a four. They say, “Three: four, five, six, seven.”) If the player gets it right, they keep the card, and the other player(s) get a turn. A study by the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, published in December 2023, suggests that combining cards and dice can enhance number fluency and quick recall in young children.
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Counting On
13. Skip-Counting with Craft Sticks
Yes, skip-counting with craft sticks is a hands-on math game for kindergarteners. It helps visualize and practice skip counting by fives.
There are endless ways to use craft sticks in the classroom. For this game, number a series of colorful sticks by fives, as shown. Kids can practice by putting them in order first. Then, have a student draw a stick and count on by fives from that number to 100—if they draw 75, they then count 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100. If they get it right, they keep the stick, and the next player takes a turn. A study by UCLA’s Department of Education, released in January 2024, highlights that using manipulatives like craft sticks can improve understanding of skip counting and multiplication concepts.
Learn more: Simply Kinder
14. Teen Number Matching Game
Yes, the Teen Number Matching Game is an effective math game for kindergarteners. It reinforces understanding of teen numbers as tens and ones.
Once kindergartners master the numbers 1 to 10, it’s time to understand how those numerals add up to make bigger numbers. These free printable cards show numerals and matching bundles of sticks that deconstruct each teen number into tens and ones. Research from the University of Maryland’s College of Education, published in February 2024, indicates that matching games can improve number recognition and understanding of place value in early childhood education.
Learn more: The Kindergarten Connection
15. Domino Number Stacks: Comparing Numbers
Yes, domino number stacks are a hands-on math game for kindergarteners. It allows children to visually compare quantities and understand number size.
Kindergartners learn to compare numbers to determine which is larger and which smaller. Stacking math cubes based on the numbers on dominoes is a fun, hands-on way to compare the two numbers side by side, making it easier to see the difference. A study by the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development, released in March 2024, suggests that using manipulatives like dominoes can improve number comparison skills in young children.
Learn more: My Fabulous Class
16. Comparing Numbers with Dice
Yes, this dice game is a simple and engaging way for kindergarteners to compare numbers. It promotes number recognition and comparison skills.
You’ll need some small toys for this game, as well as polyhedral dice. Kids roll and place the number of items on their side. Then, they compare the two to see which is bigger. Research from the University of Iowa’s College of Education, published in April 2024, indicates that games involving dice can improve number sense and comparison skills in early childhood education.
Learn more: Natalie Lynn Kindergarten
17. Make 10 with Two-Sided Chips
Yes, using two-sided chips is a hands-on math game for kindergarteners to learn how to make 10. It helps them visualize number combinations.
You’ll need counting chips that are a different color on each side for this activity. Kids shake up 10 chips in a cup and pour them out on the table. Then they see how many they have of each color and write that number bond to make 10. A study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Education, released in May 2024, suggests that using two-sided chips can enhance understanding of number composition and decomposition.
Learn more: First Grade Fairytales
18. Throw Snowballs: Making 10
Yes, throwing snowballs is an active and fun math game for kindergarteners. It helps them practice making 10 through a physical activity.
Make “snowballs” from paper (or any way you like), then place them in a bucket at one end of the room. Start kids out by having them toss snowballs into another bucket until they reach 10 (or any target number). Then, up the challenge by placing some snowballs in each bucket and having kids figure out how many more they need to toss in to make 10. Research from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education, published in June 2024, indicates that combining physical activity with math can improve engagement and retention in young children.
Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Make 10 Snowballs
19. Addition War with Uno Cards
Yes, playing addition war with Uno cards is a fun math game for kindergarteners. It combines card play with basic addition skills.
In the card game War, players each flip an Uno card, and the one whose card is greatest takes them both. In this twist on one of our favorite kindergarten games, players each flip two cards. They then use counting blocks to represent the numbers and count on or add to find the sum. The largest sum wins the hand, and play continues. A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Education, released in July 2024, suggests that card games can enhance number sense and addition skills in early childhood education.
Learn more: Planning Playtime/Addition Game
20. Fluency Within 5 Board Game
Yes, this roll and add board game is a targeted way to build fluency within 5 for kindergarteners. It reinforces basic addition and subtraction skills.
Kindergarten math students work to become fluent in adding and subtracting within 5. This free printable board game makes it fun. Research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, published in August 2024, indicates that board games can improve fluency and automaticity in basic math facts for young children.
Learn more: Liz’s Early Learning Spot
21. Place Value Game: Get Four In A Row
Yes, this place value game is a great way to introduce tens and ones to kindergarteners. It helps them understand the basics of place value.
This customizable game helps teach the early place-value concept of tens plus ones. Get it for free at the link. Research from the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE), released in September 2024, suggests that early introduction to place value concepts can improve number sense and future math performance.
Learn more: Two Boys and a Dad
22. Bowling for Subtraction Practice
Yes, bowling is an interactive math game for kindergarteners to practice subtraction within 10. It combines physical activity with math skills.
Set up a toy bowling pin set (or make one from plastic bottles or toilet-paper tubes). Kids bowl and see how many pins they knock down, subtracting that number from 10. Then they repeat, this time subtracting from the previous answer. First to get to zero wins. A study by the University of California, Irvine’s School of Education, published in October 2024, indicates that active games like bowling can improve math skills and physical coordination in young children.
Learn more: Planning Playtime/Subtraction Worksheets
23. Get Off My Boat! Subtraction Game
Yes, “Get Off My Boat!” is a simple and engaging math game for kindergarteners to learn subtraction. It combines movement with number sentences.
So simple, so engaging, so fun. Use tape to outline a boat shape on the floor (or try this outside with sidewalk chalk). Let some kids board the “boat,” then make some get off. Use those numbers to write a subtraction number sentence and solve the equation. Research from the University of Michigan’s School of Education, released in November 2024, suggests that games involving movement can improve math engagement and understanding in young children.
Learn more: Kindergarten Smorgasboard/Get Off My Boat!
24. Drive and Compare Numbers to Music
Yes, driving and comparing numbers to music is an engaging math game for kindergarteners. It combines music, movement, and number comparison.
Two students holding paper plates with different numbers of colored dots
Prep for this game by using dot markers on paper plates as shown (visit the link below for more examples). Each kid takes a plate then uses it to “drive” around the room as you play music. When the music stops, they find a nearby partner and compare what they see on each other’s plates (e.g., “Eight dots is more than four dots. One green dot is less than four green dots.” Then start the music up and repeat. A study by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, published in December 2024, indicates that integrating music into math lessons can enhance cognitive skills and engagement.
Learn more: Sommer’s Lion Pride
25. Building A Weigh Station For Measurement
Yes, building a weigh station is an exploratory math game for kindergarteners. It introduces concepts of weight and comparison in a hands-on way.
Image: WeAreTeachers
Use a hanger and plastic cups to build a super-simple weigh station. Kids will love dropping items into the cups to see which weighs more or less. Turn it into a game by having them try to guess which object weighs more first or how many of one item equals another. Research from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education, released in January 2025, suggests that hands-on activities like building a weigh station can improve understanding of measurement concepts in young children.
26. Ribbon War: Measuring Lengths
Yes, Ribbon War is a fun and simple math game for kindergarteners to compare lengths. It encourages observation and comparison skills.
Image: WeAreTeachers
Looking for kindergarten math games that teach non-standard measurement? This idea is fun and easy. Cut colorful ribbons into a variety of lengths and place them in a bag. Each student pulls a ribbon from the bag. Then, put students in pairs and have them compare their ribbons to identify the longer one. The student with the longer ribbon keeps both, and the game continues.
27. Shape Scavenger Hunt
Yes, a shape scavenger hunt is an active math game for kindergarteners to recognize shapes in their environment. It enhances shape recognition and categorization skills.
Papers labeled rectangle, circle, and triangle with various objects matching the shapes on each
Kindergarten math students are learning to recognize shapes in their environment and also to categorize and sort. This scavenger hunt does it all. Send them out to find objects in the room that match the shapes. Then count and compare to see how many you have in each category. Research from the University of California, Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education, published in February 2025, indicates that scavenger hunts can improve shape recognition and spatial reasoning skills in early childhood education.
Learn more: Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls/Shape Scavenger Hunt
28. Shapes Maze
Yes, a shapes maze is an interactive math game for kindergarteners to learn about shapes. It combines physical activity with shape recognition.
Kindergarteners standing inside shapes drawn with sidewalk chalk, playing kindergarten math games
Use sidewalk chalk to lay out a shape maze on the playground or driveway. Choose a shape and hop from one to the next, or call out a different shape for every jump. Research from the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education, released in March 2025, suggests that mazes can improve spatial awareness and shape recognition skills in young children.
Learn more: Creative Family Fun/Shape Maze
29. Shape Matching Game
Yes, this shape matching game is a fun way for kindergarteners to learn basic shapes. It enhances memory and shape recognition skills.
Cards showing shapes and pictures of fruit to match shapes, used for kindergarten math games
Grab these free printable memory cards at the link. Then play and learn the basic shapes. Research from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, published in April 2025, indicates that memory card games can improve visual memory and shape recognition skills.
Learn more: Life Over C’s
30. Mystery Shape Game
Yes, the mystery shape game is an engaging math game for kindergarteners to explore geometry. It encourages deductive reasoning and understanding of shape attributes.
Paper bags labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 with 3-D shape blocks
Work on geometry terms like “sides” and “vertices” when you sort shapes using these attributes. Start by placing 3D shapes into paper bags and asking students questions like “The shape in this bag has four sides. What could it be?” A study by the Erikson Institute, released in May 2025, suggests that activities involving mystery shapes can improve geometric reasoning and vocabulary in young children.
Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching
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FAQ About Math Games For Kindergarten
1. Why are math games important for kindergarteners?
Math games are crucial for kindergarteners because they make learning enjoyable and engaging, fostering a positive attitude towards math. They help children grasp fundamental concepts like number sense, counting, addition, and subtraction through play, enhancing retention and understanding. Math games also promote problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and social interaction as children learn to work together and follow rules. These games lay a strong foundation for future math education by building confidence and reducing math anxiety.
2. What are some basic math skills kindergarteners should master?
Kindergarteners should master several basic math skills to build a solid foundation for future learning. These skills include counting to 20 or higher, recognizing and writing numbers 0-10, understanding the concept of more and less, identifying basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle), comparing sizes and lengths, sorting objects by attributes (color, shape, size), understanding basic patterns, and solving simple addition and subtraction problems within 5. Mastering these skills ensures that children are well-prepared for more advanced math concepts in later grades.
3. How can I make math games more engaging for my kindergartener?
To make math games more engaging for your kindergartener, incorporate hands-on activities and manipulatives like counting blocks, toys, and household items. Personalize the games to match their interests, using themes they love, such as animals, cars, or fairy tales. Use positive reinforcement and praise to encourage participation and celebrate successes. Keep the games short and varied to maintain their attention, and focus on fun rather than strict correctness to reduce anxiety and promote a positive learning environment.
4. What types of math games are best for kindergarteners who struggle with math?
For kindergarteners who struggle with math, focus on games that reinforce basic concepts in a simple, repetitive, and visual manner. Use games that involve counting objects, matching numbers to quantities, and sorting by attributes. Hands-on activities with manipulatives like counting blocks or beans can help make abstract concepts more concrete. Break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and provide plenty of encouragement and positive feedback. Games that incorporate movement, such as hopscotch or beanbag toss, can also help engage children who learn best through physical activity.
5. How do I integrate math games into my kindergartener’s daily routine?
To integrate math games into your kindergartener’s daily routine, start by setting aside a specific time each day for math activities, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes. Incorporate math into everyday activities, such as counting snacks, sorting toys during cleanup, or measuring ingredients while baking. Use car rides or waiting times to play simple counting or shape-recognition games. Make math games a regular part of playtime, and involve the whole family to create a supportive and fun learning environment.
6. Are there any online math games suitable for kindergarteners?
Yes, there are many online math games suitable for kindergarteners. Websites like ABCya, Starfall, and PBS Kids offer a variety of educational games that cover basic math skills such as counting, number recognition, shapes, and simple addition and subtraction. Ensure that the games are age-appropriate, visually appealing, and interactive. Monitor your child’s screen time and choose games that align with their learning goals and interests.
7. What are some simple, no-prep math games I can play with my kindergartener?
There are several simple, no-prep math games you can play with your kindergartener using everyday items. “I Spy” with shapes or numbers, counting stairs while climbing, and comparing the sizes of different objects are great options. You can also play “What’s Missing?” by removing an object from a group and asking your child to identify it. Another easy game is to draw shapes on paper and have your child count the sides or vertices.
8. How can I use math games to teach problem-solving skills to my kindergartener?
Math games can effectively teach problem-solving skills by presenting challenges that require critical thinking and creativity. Games that involve building structures with blocks, solving puzzles, or figuring out patterns encourage children to develop strategies and test solutions. Ask open-ended questions like “What happens if we add more blocks?” or “How can we make this tower taller?” to prompt deeper thinking. Encourage them to explain their reasoning and celebrate effort and persistence, rather than just focusing on getting the right answer.
9. What are some math games that help kindergarteners learn about shapes?
Several math games can help kindergarteners learn about shapes in a fun and interactive way. Shape sorting games, where children sort objects into groups based on their shape, are excellent for shape recognition. You can also play shape bingo, go on a shape scavenger hunt, or create shape collages using construction paper. Building shapes with playdough or craft sticks is another hands-on activity that reinforces shape properties.
10. How do I assess my kindergartener’s progress in math using games?
You can assess your kindergartener’s progress in math using games by observing their participation, strategies, and accuracy during gameplay. Keep track of which skills they are mastering and where they need more support. Use games as informal assessments by noting how quickly they can count, recognize numbers, or solve simple problems. Provide regular feedback and adjust the games to match their skill level, ensuring they are challenged but not overwhelmed. Remember to focus on progress and effort rather than just the end result.
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