Using Games to Teach Mathematical Concepts - Play-Based Learning That Works

“Can we play a game instead of doing maths?” This common request reveals a false dichotomy—as if games and learning are opposites. But research consistently shows that well-chosen games are among the most effective tools for developing mathematical understanding, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. The key is knowing which games teach which concepts and how to facilitate them for maximum learning.

Why Games Work for Mathematics Learning

Games provide:

• Immediate feedback: Players instantly see the consequences of their decisions
• Safe failure environment: Losing a game feels different from failing a test
• Repeated practice: Children willingly play the same game dozens of times
• Strategic thinking: Players must plan, predict, and adjust strategies
• Engagement: Intrinsic motivation replaces external rewards
• Social learning: Discussion and explanation deepen understanding

Neuroscience supports game-based learning: When children are engaged and motivated, their brains release dopamine, which enhances memory formation and learning. Games create this optimal learning state naturally.

Principles for Effective Maths Games

Not all games are educationally equal. Effective maths games:

1. Target Specific Concepts Random games might be fun, but focused games teach particular skills. Know what you’re teaching.

2. Require Strategic Thinking Luck-only games (like Snakes and Ladders) provide less learning than strategy games (like chess).

3. Allow Multiple Plays Children need repetition to develop fluency. Choose games they’ll want to replay.

4. Include Discussion Opportunities Learning deepens when players explain their thinking: “Why did you choose that move?”

5. Have Clear Rules Time spent arguing about rules is time not spent learning maths.

6. Scale with Skill Good games can be simplified for beginners or complicated for advanced players.

Games by Mathematical Concept

Number Sense and Counting (Ages 5-7)

1. Shut the Box

• What it teaches: Addition, number combinations, strategic thinking
• How to play: Roll dice, flip down number tiles that add to the roll. Goal: shut all tiles.
• Maths connection: Children discover number bonds (ways to make sums) through play
• Variations: Use two dice for larger numbers, subtract instead of add

2. Race to 20 (or 100)

• What it teaches: Counting on, addition strategies
• How to play: Players take turns adding 1 or 2 to a running total. First to reach exactly 20 wins.
• Maths connection: Strategic planning—children discover winning strategies involve controlling certain numbers
• Variations: Change target number, allow adding 1, 2, or 3

3. Tens Go Fish

• What it teaches: Number pairs that make 10 (crucial foundation skill)
• How to play: Like regular Go Fish, but matching pairs that sum to 10 (1-9, 2-8, 3-7, etc.)
• Maths connection: Automatic recall of number bonds to 10 supports later addition/subtraction
• Variations: Play “Teens Go Fish” (pairs making teen numbers) or “Twenties Go Fish”

Place Value (Ages 6-9)

4. Base Ten Bingo

• What it teaches: Place value, number representation
• How to play: Call out “3 tens and 4 ones”—players cover 34 on their boards
• Maths connection: Reinforces that 34 = 30 + 4, not just “3 and 4”
• Variations: Use hundreds, play with decimal places for older students

5. Place Value Roll and Build

• What it teaches: Place value, strategic thinking
• How to play: Roll a die 3 times. After each roll, decide whether it’s your hundreds, tens, or ones digit. Highest number wins.
• Maths connection: Understanding that digit position determines value
• Variations: Aim for lowest number, use four rolls for thousands

Addition and Subtraction (Ages 6-10)

6. Addition War

• What it teaches: Addition facts, comparing numbers
• How to play: Each player flips two cards and adds them. Highest sum wins all cards.
• Maths connection: Repeated practice with addition facts in engaging context
• Variations: Subtract instead, multiply for older students, use three cards

7. Target Number

• What it teaches: Addition, subtraction, flexible thinking
• How to play: Roll a target number (1-50). Roll 5 more dice. Use any operations to reach the target.
• Maths connection: Encourages finding multiple solution paths
• Variations: Allow multiplication/division, require using all dice, change target range

Multiplication and Division (Ages 7-11)

8. Multiplication War

• What it teaches: Multiplication facts, automaticity
• How to play: Each player flips two cards and multiplies. Highest product wins.
• Maths connection: Repetitive practice without the drudgery of worksheets
• Variations: Use only certain times tables needing practice, divide instead

9. Prime Climb

• What it teaches: Factors, multiples, prime numbers, strategic thinking
• How to play: Race around a board numbered 0-101, using multiplication and division to move
• Maths connection: Deep understanding of number relationships and prime factorization
• Variations: Simplified rules for beginners, full strategy for advanced players

10. Factor Captor

• What it teaches: Factors, multiples, strategic resource management
• How to play: Choose a number on a grid, then capture all its unused factors. Score = your number.
• Maths connection: Understanding factor relationships becomes strategically important
• Variations: Use different number ranges (1-30, 1-100)

Fractions (Ages 8-12)

11. Fraction War

• What it teaches: Comparing fractions, equivalent fractions
• How to play: Each player flips two cards (numerator/denominator). Largest fraction wins.
• Maths connection: Repeated comparison builds intuitive fraction sense
• Variations: Find equivalent fractions for bonus points, add fractions instead of compare

12. Fraction Track

• What it teaches: Fraction addition, visual fraction models
• How to play: Roll fraction dice, move that distance along a number line. First to exactly 1 (or 2) wins.
• Maths connection: Visual representation helps children see fractions as numbers
• Variations: Use different denominators, allow subtraction to move backward

Geometry and Spatial Reasoning (Ages 6-14)

13. Tangrams

• What it teaches: Spatial reasoning, geometric properties, problem-solving
• How to play: Use 7 geometric pieces to recreate shape silhouettes
• Maths connection: Understanding how shapes combine, transformation, symmetry
• Variations: Create your own challenges, competitive race format

14. Blokus

• What it teaches: Spatial reasoning, strategic planning, area concepts
• How to play: Place your colored pieces on the board, connecting corner-to-corner
• Maths connection: Visualizing rotations and reflections, maximizing area coverage
• Variations: Different board sizes, team play

Logic and Strategic Thinking (Ages 7-Adult)

15. Set

• What it teaches: Pattern recognition, logical thinking, visual discrimination
• How to play: Find three cards that are all the same or all different across four attributes
• Maths connection: Complex logical thinking: AND/OR operations, systematic checking
• Variations: Use fewer attributes for beginners, competitive speed or cooperative versions

16. Rush Hour

• What it teaches: Sequential thinking, problem-solving, spatial reasoning
• How to play: Slide blocking vehicles to create a path for the red car to exit
• Maths connection: Planning move sequences, reversing operations (to undo moves)
• Variations: Hundreds of puzzle cards from beginner to expert

17. Mastermind

• What it teaches: Logical deduction, systematic testing, elimination strategies
• How to play: Crack the secret code using feedback from each guess
• Maths connection: Hypothesis testing, using information efficiently, deductive reasoning
• Variations: Simpler codes for beginners, more complex for advanced

Money and Real-World Maths (Ages 7-12)

18. Monopoly Junior

• What it teaches: Money transactions, addition, subtraction, strategic resource management
• How to play: Simplified Monopoly with easier calculations
• Maths connection: Repeated money calculations in meaningful context
• Variations: Full Monopoly for older students, create custom property values

19. Cashier

• What it teaches: Money calculations, making change, addition
• How to play: One player “shops,” the other acts as cashier making change
• Maths connection: Practical money skills with immediate feedback
• Variations: Use real coins/notes, increase purchase amounts, add discounts

Maximizing Learning During Games

Before Playing:

• Clarify the objective: “This game will help you practice adding two-digit numbers”
• Teach rules clearly: Demonstrate a practice round
• Set expectations: “Focus on explaining your thinking, not just winning”

During Playing:

• Ask strategic questions: “Why did you choose that move?” “What are you trying to do?”
• Encourage verbalization: “Say your addition out loud”
• Point out patterns: “I notice you keep choosing even numbers. Is that part of your strategy?”
• Model thinking aloud: “I’m choosing this because…”

After Playing:

• Discuss strategies: “What worked well? What would you try differently?”
• Highlight mathematical learning: “What addition strategies did you use?”
• Encourage reflection: “What did you learn from this game?”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Too Much Focus on Winning

• Problem: Children become competitive rather than focused on learning
• Fix: Praise good strategies regardless of who wins. Play cooperatively sometimes.

Mistake 2: No Explicit Maths Connection

• Problem: Children enjoy the game but don’t realize they’re practicing maths
• Fix: Discuss what maths concepts the game uses before and after playing

Mistake 3: Games Are “Fun Time,” Not Learning

• Problem: Games become rewards for completing “real work”
• Fix: Integrate games as legitimate learning activities with clear objectives

Mistake 4: Only Using Games as Fillers

• Problem: Games get played only when there’s extra time
• Fix: Schedule regular game-based learning sessions as core instruction

Mistake 5: One-Time Play

• Problem: Children don’t develop deep strategies or fluency
• Fix: Return to effective games multiple times over weeks/months

Creating Your Own Mathematical Games

You don’t need expensive commercial games. Effective games can be created with basic materials:

Dice Games:

• Roll and add/multiply
• Target number challenges
• Race games with mathematical movement rules

Card Games:

• Any commercial game can be modified (War → Addition War)
• Create custom cards for specific concepts (fraction cards, decimal cards)

Board Games:

• Draw simple track boards
• Number spaces with mathematical properties
• Movement determined by solving problems or strategic choices

Digital Games:

• Many free online games teach specific concepts (check reputable educational sites)
• Balance screen time with physical games requiring social interaction

Adapting Games for Different Skill Levels

To Make Games Easier:

• Use smaller numbers
• Allow calculators for computation while focusing on strategy
• Play cooperatively rather than competitively
• Provide reference sheets (multiplication charts, fraction strips)

To Make Games Harder:

• Use larger numbers or more complex operations
• Add time limits
• Require explaining strategies
• Add additional rules or constraints
• Combine multiple concepts

Assessment Through Games

Games provide rich opportunities for informal assessment:

Observe:

• Fluency: How quickly and accurately do they compute?
• Strategy: Are they thinking ahead or playing randomly?
• Flexibility: Do they try different approaches?
• Reasoning: Can they explain their thinking?

Listen for:

• Mathematical language use
• Logical reasoning
• Strategic planning
• Metacognition (“I should try…”)

Document:

• Take quick notes on specific student thinking
• Photograph game boards showing strategies
• Record discussions about game strategies

Building a Classroom or Home Game Library

Essential Physical Games:

• Standard deck of playing cards (infinite variations)
• Dice (6-sided, 10-sided, 12-sided)
• Dominoes
• Chess/Checkers
• Set
• Blokus or similar spatial games

Printable Resources:

• Hundreds charts
• Number lines
• Blank game boards
• Card decks for specific concepts (fraction cards, decimal cards)

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Many effective games cost nothing (number games using paper and pencil)
• Borrow games from school/library to try before buying
• Focus on versatile games with multiple variations

The Bottom Line

Games aren’t a break from mathematics—they are mathematics. Well-chosen games provide:

• Intrinsically motivating practice
• Strategic thinking development
• Safe environments for risk-taking
• Social learning opportunities
• Immediate, meaningful feedback

The question isn’t whether to use games in mathematics teaching, but which games best support your learning objectives and how to facilitate them for maximum mathematical thinking.

When you shift from “Can we play a game instead of maths?” to “Let’s play a game to practice our maths,” you’ve transformed play into powerful learning. The best part? Children won’t even realize how much mathematics they’re mastering—they’ll just know they’re having fun.

And when learning feels like play, children willingly practice far beyond what any worksheet could achieve. That’s the magic of game-based mathematics learning.