Mathematics at Home

Compiled by Jen Levy

Here is a list of some great websites for finding engaging, challenging, and conceptually focused math activities.  It is important that students’ view of math include more than a narrow focus on calculations and quickly finding a single correct answer.  The activities on these sites help strengthen students’ (and adults’) skills in problem solving, estimation, logical reasoning, and critical thinking.  Have fun!

Lesley University has put out a great resource for supporting caregivers during the COVID-19 outbreak. It lists free resources, games and activities for each grade. It also has helpful suggestions for explaining the outbreak to children.

Bedtime Math is a site that provides a daily “Fun Math” and then follows it up with math riddles at different levels called “Wee Ones,” “Little Kids,” and “Big Kids” and “The Sky’s the Limit.” It’s great for 5-10 minute family math explorations and discussions. Check out the app too!

Youcubed at Stanford University is an amazing site that provides activities listed under “Tasks” that can be selected by math topic and grade level.The site also has great educational articles, research, free courses, games, and apps.

Greg Tang Math - While there are other things on Greg’s website, what really stands out are the online games. Some games are designed to help solidify facts while others focus on strengthening conceptual understanding.  

Nrich math is a wonderfully rich source for activities, interactive games, resources, and articles. There is an area designed for “primary pupils” and a topic list at the top of the homepage. You can also type something specific in the search bar and see what comes up.

Estimation 180 is a site devoted specifically to the important skill of estimation. It presents over 220 different estimation challenges to help students (and adults!) improve both their number sense and problem solving abilities.

Illuminations is a site run by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  It has “interactives” organized by grade level or math topics for children to play online.  For students in third grade and above there is a link to “Calculation Nation,” which is a collection of games students can play online with people all over the world.

Free Math Apps is the Math Learning Center’s resource for free virtual math manipulatives. Students can use the online manipulatives for money, time, fractions, geometry and place value.

Games for the Family

• Othello

• Blockus

• 24 Game

• Dominoes

• Make 7

• Tangoes

• Rack-O

• Yahtzee

• Monopoly

• Chess

• Architecto

• Perspecto

• Blocks Rock

• Pattern Play 3D

• Equilibro

Everyday Activities

• Read the time on an analog clock

• Figure out elapsed time or figure out what time you need to leave or start an activity

• Add piles of coins

• Pay the correct amount at a store

• Figure out the correct change needed at a store

• Measure items in the house when needed

• Find area and perimeter of rooms in the house when needed

• Estimate quantity, measurements, or calculations

• Use mental math for the four operations when appropriate

• Discuss problem solving situations as they arise in real life

• Keep track of things such as how many gallons of milk your family uses in a week or how many hours you spend in front of a screen