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16 Math Games You Can Play With Cards or Dice

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16 Math Games You Can Play With Cards or Dice

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Games are a great way to reinforce basic math skills. Your kids probably won't even realize how much they're learning. These are some fun math games you can play with just a few dice and some playing cards.

Make 100

Players: 1 or more

Object: To be the first to make 100 or as close to it as possible without going over.

How to play: Take turns rolling 2 dice. You may add, subtract, multiply or divide the two numbers. Keep a running total.

Beat It!

Players: 2 or more

Object: To make the highest number in each round.

How to Play: Roll three or four dice, depending on the place value you are studying. Arrange your dice so that you make the greatest number. The winner of the round is the player with the greatest number. The winner of the game is the player with the most wins at the end of 10 rounds.

Pig

Players: 2 or more

Object: To be the first to get to 100

How to Play: First player rolls two dice and finds the sum. He can keep rolling as long as he wants and continues to add each new number to his sum. If he rolls a one, the player scores 0 for that round. If both dice show a one, the player's entire score is erased and he must begin again at 0.

Race to 500

Players: 2 or more

Object: Be the first to make 500

How to Play: Take turns rolling one die and multiply the number by 10. Roll again, and add it to the first total. The first player to reach 500 without going over wins.

Dot It First!

Players: 2 or more

Object: To get the largest product when multiplying.

How to Play: Each player needs a pair of dice. Everyone rolls their dice at the same time. Each player multiplies the two numbers together. The one with the greater product wins that round and gets a tally mark. The first player to get 10 tally marks wins.

Subtraction Practice

Players: 1 or more, or teams of 2

Object: To practice Subtracting large numbers.

How to Play: Each player or team has a set of 3 or 4 different colored dice. Players will decide what color will be the thousands place, the hundreds place, the tens place and the ones place. Roll the dice and make a 3 or 4 digit number and write it down. Roll again and make another 3 or 4 digit number. Decide which number goes on top. Players work together to solve the problem. Use a calculator to check the answer.

Variation: Players can do the same with Addition Practice. This can be done with cards as well. Use only numbers 1-9, remove all other cards. Shuffle. Lay down 3-4 cards. Underneath lay down another 3-4 cards. Determine which number should go on top if subtracting, then work together to solve the problem.

Even/Odd

Players: 2 or sets of 2

Object: To be the player with the highest number after 20 rolls.

How to Play: Playing with a partner, one is Odd, the other is Even. Roll two dice. You can add, subtract, multiply or divide the two numbers, depending on which skill you want to practice. Players receive a point depending on whether the answer is even or odd.

Going to Boston

Players: 2 or more

Object: The player with the highest score wins

How to Play: Each player has 3 dice. The player rolls all 3 dice and sets aside the die with the largest number. He rolls again the remaining two. Again, he sets aside the die with the highest number and rolls the remaining die one more time. Add up the numbers and that is your score for the round. Play proceeds to the next player until all have had their turn. The one with the highest score wins that round. The one with the highest score after 5 rounds wins the game.

Variation: To play the game with multiplication, once the player has his three numbers, he adds the first two and multiplies that number by the third number.

Multiplication War

Players: 2 or more

Object: To be the player with the highest product, and the most tally marks

How to Play: Each player has 2 dice. Players roll at the same time and multiply their numbers. The player with the highest product wins that round. The one with the most tally marks after 20 rounds wins.

Counting On

Players: 2 or more

Object: Determine which number is larger and to count on from there

How to Play: Great beginning game for young kids. You need a deck of cards and a Die. Remove the Kings, Queens, Jacks and Jokers from the deck. Shuffle the cards and put face down on the table. Flip over the first card to start the discard pile. Player one rolls the die and determines which number is higher, the card or the die. Then he starts his counting on from that number and counts up the number of times displayed on the other playing piece. For example: a two is the card flipped over and a 5 is rolled on the die. The player will start counting at 5 and count on two. 5...6...7. There is no winner, just take turns practicing.

Variation: For older kids playing with younger kids, they can just add the two numbers in their head. Or play with a pair of dice, and add up the dice, then the card. You could even add the dice numbers and subtract the card number. Lots of variations.

Subtraction War

Players: 2-4 players

Object: To win all the cards in the deck

How to Play: Shuffle the deck and deal an equal number of cards to each player until the deck runs out. Each player keeps his cards in a stack, face down. Face cards = 10 and Aces = 1. At the same time, each player turns 2 cards face up and makes a subtraction number sentence and gives the answer. The one with the largest answer takes all the cards and puts them facedown at the bottom of his pile. If 2 players have the same answer then it's war. Each player puts 4 cards out in front of them, face down. Then flip over 2 and this time add the numbers. The one will the largest number wins. If their answers match again, they flip over the next card, until one of them gets a higher number and wins all the cards.

Close Call

Players: 2-4 players

Object: To have the most points after 5 rounds

How to Play: Remove the 10's and face cards from the deck. Shuffle and deal each player 6 cards. Players choose 4 of their cards to make two 2-digit numbers to add together to get as close to 100 without going over. Arrange cards so all can see your addition problem. Each player adds their numbers and records their total. The player with the sum closest to 100 without going over wins a point. In the case of a tie, each player gets a point. Shuffle the cards and deal again. The player with the most points after 5 rounds is the winner.

Variations: Players can select only 2 cards to create single digit numbers, and the goal is to reach 10 or 15, or keep it the same and multiply the numbers. Deal 8 cards and players choose 6 cards and create a 3 digit numbers. Set the goal to 1,000.

Pile It On

Players: 2-4

Object: The player who uses the most cards in all 10 rounds is the winner.

How to Play: Roll the die twice. The first roll indicates how many piles the player makes. The second roll indicates how many cards in each pile. Add up the total number of cards used and record the score. The winner is the player who has used the most cards in all ten rounds.

Spiral

Players: 2-4 players

Object: The player who makes it past the last card wins.

How to Play: You will need a deck of cards, one die, and a game piece for each player. Build a spiral game board with all 52 cards, face up. Place each game piece on one end of the spiral. This will be the starting point. Players will work their way to the other end of the spiral. Each player takes a turn rolling the die. They must multiply the number of the die times the value of the card they are on. If they are correct, they may move ahead the number on the die. If incorrect, they may not move. Ace=1, Jack=11, Queen=12, King=13. If a player lands on the same card as another player, they may send the other player back to start.

Variation: Simplify the game by removing face cards or making them all = 10. Add Jokers and have them equal 0. Add the number on the die to the card instead of multiplying.

Once Through the Deck

Players: 1

Object: To be able to practice your multiplication facts by yourself

How to Play: Shuffle cards, and make a pile face down. Decide what times family you are going to work on. Flip over one card at a time and multiply that card by the number you have decided to practice and say aloud only the answer. Continue through the deck. If you are not sure, don't guess, figure it out. Don't go so fast that you make mistakes, but move as swiftly as you can.

Making Ten

Players: 2-4

Object: To use any many cards as possible to make equations that equal 10

How to Play: Remove the face cards from the deck. Place cards face down in a pile. Each player chooses 5 cards and places them face up in front of him. Players use as many cards as possible to make equations that equal 10. You can just do addition or do both addition and subtraction. For example: If my cards are 9,5,1,8,2 I might say 9+1=10 and 8+2=10 as well as 9+2-1=10. Keep the cards you did not use and lay aside the used cards. Play passes to the next player. Next round, fill out your hand to 5 cards and go again.

Variation: Make 15 by adding in the face cards. You can also bump up the number of cards in your hand to 7.

Enjoy this post? Read on, and sign up for our homeschool newsletter! Choosing a Math Curriculum for Your Homeschool 8 Ways to Foster Mental Math in the Elementary Grades

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16 Math Games You Can Play with Cards or Dice - Homeschool Compass

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Games are a great way to reinforce basic math skills. Your kids probably won't even realize how much they're learning. These are some fun math games you can play with just a few dice and some playing cards. Make 100 Players: 1 or more Object: To be the first to [...]

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Not only are kids able to practice the skills that we have been focusing on (over and over repeatedly), but they are also doing it in a format that they find fun...and anything that adds fun to learning is a plus in my book!
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So, when I plan my math lessons, I am always on the lookout for hands-on fun activities that will add variety and motivation to our math time. For that reason, these dice games are some of my go-to games.

If you're looking for hands-on dice at an affordable price, here's my favorite set from Amazon. The best thing about this set is that it comes in 5 colors. This makes making groups easy!

Don't forget about storing your dice too! Using individual dice containers keeps them from getting lost. Simply put a die (or two) in each container and you're guaranteed to never lose one under the cabinets in your classroom again. I like this set here and this fun, colorful set here.

Btw...Did you know if you type "dice roller" into Google, you'll have a digital (and silent) dice manipulative for your students to use whether you're teaching in the classroom or virtually?

Here are the dice-based math games, listed by category:

1. Build it Big or Build it Small

Kids each need a dice and some scratch paper or a whiteboard. Tell the kids whether they are trying to make a larger or a smaller number. I usually start big but after 5 minutes, switch it to small for variety. Kids make dashes on their paper/whiteboard to indicate the place value of the number.

So, if you're working on hundreds, kids would make 3 dashes, 4 for thousands, and so on. Kids take turns rolling dice the same number of times as the dashes. Each time a person rolls, he/she must think logically to place the number shown on the dice, on the dashes.

For example, if you are working on a large number and roll a six, it would go on the largest place value space but if you were working on making a small number, it would go on the smallest place value space.

Once kids have placed a number, it can not be moved. The person with the highest (or lowest, depending upon the game's goal) wins a point.

Variation 1: Make this a decimal place value game by having the kids draw a decimal before the dashes.

Variation 2: My favorite way to play math games with playing cards or with dice is to give each set of partners a "more/less" coin that I make ahead of time. This is a simple plastic or foam circle and I attach a sticker (or you could use sharpie) on one side with the word "more" and the other side with the word "less". That way at the end of the game, no one knows who has won until you flip the more/less coin.

If more is shown, the higher number wins and if less is shown, the smaller number wins. I like this because it adds suspense to the game and because no one feels the need to poop out/give up before the game is over if it becomes obvious that there is no chance for winning.

2. Roll and Round That Number

For this game, kids need scratch paper or a whiteboard, as well as a set of dice. The number of dice used should match whatever place value you are working on. So if you're focusing on hundreds, partners need three, or for ten thousands, partners need five.

The first person rolls all three dice at the same time and builds a number with it. The second person does the same and then each person rounds his/her number to the highest place value. For example, a roll of 5, 3, 7 could make the number 753, which would be rounded to 800. Students compare rounded numbers and the highest correctly rounded number wins (or use the more/less coin to decide).

Variation 1: Give the kids a certain number of dice and tell them how to round them. Change that every few minutes. For example, if partners have 5 dice, tell them to round it to the nearest ten. After five minutes, tell them on their next game to round it to the nearest hundred...

Variation 2: This can also be a decimal rounding game.

Variation 3: For older kids, you could use this with positive/negative numbers. Make a coin like the more/less coin with a positive or negative sign on it to flip and then round and compare numbers.

3. Order of Operations

Kids definitely need scratch paper or whiteboards for this game. Partners should have 3 or more dice, depending upon the type of math sentence template you give them. You'll need to give kids a specific template that will work, as not all templates will work for this game using the numbers on the dice (see a few examples below).

Have the kids make a template on their paper/whiteboards. Kids roll the dice and place the numbers on the template provided. Kids solve that problem, using the order of operations and then compare their number to see who has the largest (and correctly done) number to determine a winner.

A few possible templates for this game:

4. Fraction War

Have kids use scratch paper or whiteboards. Partners each roll two dice to make a fraction. The smaller of the roll should go on top/be the numerator. If the person rolls doubles (same number twice, like two fives), that person automatically wins a point for that round. Once dice are rolled, partners work together to see which fraction is larger. The larger fraction wins.

Variation 1: Once dice are rolled, the person who determines the largest fraction correctly the fastest, wins the point.

Variation 2: Use the more/less coin to determine the winner, once fractions are compared.

Variation 3: Add or multiply the fractions and the person who correctly determines the sum/product first wins.

5. Simplify Fractions

Using scratch paper or whiteboards and three dice, partners each roll the dice to create a fraction. One of the numbers is placed on top (unless it is a one, which means the fraction can't be simplified) and the other two numbers are left side by side to create the denominator.

For example, if the roll is 4, 3, 6...The fraction might be 4/36, which simplifies to 1/9 or it could be 6/34, which simplifies to 3/17. If the roll does not allow for simplifying, the person automatically loses. The person who has the largest fraction wins.

Variation 1: Use the more/less coin to determine a winner

Variation 2: Kids who can come up with the most ways to make fractions to simplify would win. This would be a higher-level thinking kind of activity.

6. Improper Fraction Challenge

For this game, scratch paper or whiteboard will be needed, as well as three dice per partners or small groups. Each person rolls the 3 dice and makes an improper fraction by placing two of the dice side by side as the numerator and the other dice as the denominator, and then simplifies to make a whole number or a mixed number.

For example, if the child rolled 2, 4, 5...Some possible fractions would be 24/5 = 4 4/5... or 54/2 = 27... or 45/2 = 22 1/2. The higher-level thinking comes in as kids are trying to make the largest number possible.

Variation 1: Kids use the same numbers to convert into a whole number/mixed number.

Variation 2: Older kids may use 5 dice (3 for numerators and 2 for denominators).

Variation 3: Use the more/less coin to determine a winner.

7. Line Plots

Here's a hands-on way for kids to get lots of practice making line plots. For this game, kids need scratch paper or a whiteboard and 2 - 5 dice per small group. Each child makes a template of a line plot before starting the game. Kids need a line and numbers one to six like this:

____________________________

1 2 3 4 5 6

Each person rolls a total of 10 times. Each child creates a line plot using the numbers shown on the dice. So, for example, if a child rolled 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6...the line plot would look like this:
X
X X X
X X X X X X
1 2 3 4 5 6

Once each person has a line plot made, one person rolls the dice. The number shown determines who wins. For example, if a 3 was rolled, the person in the example above has three in the 3 sections.

That would be compared to the partner's section 3 and the person with more in that particular section wins. If it is the same, the dice is rolled again until a winner is determined.

8. Area and Perimeter

For this game, students need two dice and a piece of grid paper for partners to share. Each student also needs a marker or a crayon/colored pencil. Partners should have different colors, so if one has red, the other might be blue.

Each person rolls the dice and uses the numbers as the length and width of a rectangle. The person draws the rectangle on the grid paper to scale. So if 4 and 6 were rolled, the person would draw a rectangle that is 4 squares wide by 6 squares long.

In the rectangle, that person writes the perimeter or the area (whichever the teacher indicates at the beginning of the game). The other person takes a turn and the winner is the player who has captured the most area on the grid paper, when time is called.

Variation 1: Use two separate pieces of grid paper. Once students determine area (or perimeter) keep a running total of points. For example, if the area was ten and the second area was 6, the running total would be 16. Highest score at the end wins.

Variation 2: If studying colonization, each player may choose a country and imagine that the grid paper is land in the New World. Spain, England, France, the Netherlands and other countries would work well in this scenario.

Hope this has given you a few ideas for dice games. If you're looking for more engaging resources, I also have some awesome task cards for 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade, that are great for centers, one on one or for a whole class game of scoot:

Finally, if you would like more free math game ideas, here are a few other posts you might like:
Click here to read Math Games Using Playing Cards. Click here to read Math Games Using Dominoes.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Math Games Using Dice - The Teacher Next Door

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Games are an important part of math class, in my opinion. Not only are kids able to practice the skills that we have been focusing on (over and over repeatedly), but they are also doing it in a format that they find fun...and anything that adds fun to learning is a plus in my book!

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20 Dice Games Teachers and Students Will Love

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20 Dice Games Teachers and Students Will Love

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20 Dice Games Teachers and Students Will Love

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Before you know it, you’ll be on a roll.

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Need a way to get students more excited about building math skills? A deck of playing cards might just be the answer. These math card games work for little ones and older kids alike, and they're all free to learn and play. Draw a few to add to your winning math class hand today!

1. Match to make 11

Lay out three rows of three cards each, face up. Then check to see if you can find any two cards that add up to 11. If so, remove those cards and set them aside. Replace them with new cards from the deck. Continue until you run out of cards or can't make any more matches.

Learn more: Game Rules

2. Race to 100

Flip a card and add its value to your running total. First person to reach 100 without going over wins! (Remove face cards for younger players; use these values for older kids: Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King = 13, Ace = 0.)

Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4 Me

3. Play a game of 21

In Vegas, they call this one Blackjack, but it makes a great learning game for kids too (no need to place bets!). Not only do they practice their addition skills, but they'll also get a little practice at thinking logically and calculating the odds.

Learn more: Planning With Kids

4. Try pyramid solitaire alone or in teams

Some versions of solitaire are really just sneaky math card games, and pyramid is one of them. Try to find cards that add up to 10 as you clear your pyramid row by row. Learn how to play at the link below.

Learn more: Multiplication.com

5. Flip and add 1 or subtract 1

There are a few versions of this basic addition and subtraction game. We like this one: Remove the face cards from the deck. Flip a card. If it's red, add 1 and say the amount out loud. If it's black, subtract 1. If you get it right, you get to keep the card.

Learn more: Plus 1 Minus 1/Creative Family Fun

6. Go fish for pairs that make 10

Your students probably already know how to play Go Fish, but in this version, they're fishing for pairs that add up to 10. Have them ask: "I have a 2. Do you have an 8 to make 10?" Change aces to 1 for this game and leave face cards out entirely.

Learn more: Go Fish/The First Grade Roundup

7. Calculate the gain or loss

Each player starts with 15 points. Player one flips a card (remove face cards or assign them point values first). If the card is black, they add it to their total. If it's red, they subtract it. Highest point total when all the cards are gone wins! Get a free printable worksheet to use with this game at the link.

Learn more: Teacherspayteachers.com

8. Practice counting on with cards

Remove the face cards for this one, and grab a die. Players flip a card and roll the die. Starting with the number on the card, they "count on" using the number on the die. For instance, if the player flips a 7 and rolls a 4, they would say, "7 ... 8, 9, 10, 11." If they get it correct, they keep the card.

Learn more: Creative Family Fun

9. Card turnover and multiply (or add)

This one is so simple! Have students pair up. One person flips two cards from the deck. The first student to multiply (or add, depending on what you want to practice) them correctly and call out the answer wins and takes both cards. Play continues until all the cards are gone, and the winner is the one with the most cards.

Learn more: Turnover/Top Notch Teaching

10. Try for a total of 10

Play this math card game alone or as a team. Lay out 20 cards on the table (leave out face cards or change them to equal 0, while aces equal 1). Kids remove sets of cards that add up to 10, ultimately trying to remove all the cards from the table. It's harder than you think!

Learn more: Total of 10/The First Grade Roundup

11. Practice number sequencing with Builder's Paradise

Simple math card games can help kids learn how to put numbers in order. To play Builder's Paradise, discard the face cards and lay out the four sevens in a deck side by side. In each round, players work to add the next higher or lower number in each suit, trying to be the first to get rid of all their cards. Get the full how-to at the link below.

Learn more: Builder's Paradise/Math Geek Mama

12. Add decimals to "make a buck"

Draw, swap, and discard to make a hand that equals $1. Learn what face cards equal and get all the rules at the link.

Learn more: Make a Buck/Math Geek Mama

13. Declare a fraction war

War is one of the original math card games, but this version adds a fraction aspect. Students deal two cards-a numerator and denominator-then determine whose fraction is the largest. The winner keeps all four cards, and play continues until the cards are gone. ( Click here for more fun and free fraction games.)

Learn more: Math File Folder Games

14. Learn numbers with card bingo

Remove the face cards and have each student lay out a 4 x 4 playing "board" of cards. The remaining cards (or another deck) are placed face down, and a caller flips over a card. Any player who has that number on their board turns the card face down. Play continues until one player has a row flipped over horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and calls "Bingo!"

Learn more: Card Bingo/Top Notch Teaching

15. Play a game of "I Spy"

Lay out cards on the table, then take turns giving clues. "I spy two cards that add up to 12." Differentiate for younger kids with options like, "I spy a card that's less than 4," or for older ones: "I spy two cards that are factors of 12."

Learn more: Susan Jones Teaching

16. Use order of operations to get to 24

Math card games aren't just for little kids-even adults will find this one a bit tricky. Each player is dealt four cards, then uses the order-of-operations rules to try to make a number as close to 24 as possible. Simple but challenging!

Learn more: Learn With Math Games

17. Take a gamble with triple-digit dare

Each player gets three cards and privately determines the highest three-digit number they can make (you can use decimals or not, depending on age). Then, each player has a turn to stick with the cards they have, swap with one from the deck, or steal one of the other player's. All players then lay down their best number to see who wins. See more at the link below.

Learn more: Math Coach's Corner

18. Deal and round to tens to win

Each player deals two cards and lays them on the board. Then, round to the nearest 10 to find the winner of that hand.

Learn more: Adventures in Third Grade

19. Find a way to make 10

One of the terrific things about math card games is that many of them can be customized for various concepts and skill levels. The original goal of this game was to look at the cards you're dealt to find ones that add up to 10, but it can be changed to 15, 20, or any number you choose. You can also add to the difficulty by allowing addition and subtraction (for example, you could use 8 + 4 = 12 and 12 - 2 = 10). Get the rules and free printable mats at the link below.

Learn more: Mama.Papa.Bubba

20. Use Close Call to practice two-digit addition or subtraction

The best math card games are simple at heart. To play Close Call, each player deals themselves four cards, then determines how to arrange them so they make two two-digit numbers that add up as close as possible to 100 without going over. For a subtraction version, work to get as close to zero as possible. Learn how to play at the link.

Learn more: Close Call/Math Geek Mama

21. Let card color indicate negative or positive

In this game, red cards are negative integers, while black cards are positive. Students attempt to play pairs of cards that total 6 or -6. You can change the goal number as needed.

Learn more: Filling the Frame With Learning

22. Take a trip around the card spiral to practice math facts

You'll need a pair of dice for this math card game. Lay out cards randomly in a spiral formation as shown, and set a marker for each player on the center card. Player one rolls the dice then moves their piece that number of spaces shown. They then must multiply (or add or subtract, depending on preferences) the card number by the number on the dice. If they get the answer correct, they stay where they are. If not, they return to their original card. Play continues until one player reaches the end.

Learn more: My Baba

23. Flip to make a prime number

Flip two cards. If you can add, subtract, or multiply them to make a prime number (use one or all of these operations), you get to keep them.

Learn more: Flip for Prime/Games4Learning

24. Be the fastest in the race to pi

In this game, kids work to lay out the digits of pi in order. It's a simple draw-and-play game that will help familiarize students with this important number. You can write out the digits first or see who knows them from memory. Find out how to play at the link below.

Learn more: Race to Pi/Math Geek Mama

25. Pick three to make number sentences

Flip any three cards. If you can use them to form a valid equation (8 - 3 = 5), you keep the cards!

Learn more: Number Sentences/Games 4 Learning

26. Do some basic fast facts practice

Give your flash cards a rest and practice facts with math card games instead. Simply lay down two cards from the deck (remove the face cards first) and add, subtract, or multiply them. Kids can work on this alone, or you can make it a contest to see who can call out the correct answer first.

Learn more: Fast Facts/Top Notch Teaching

27. Challenge them to beat the teacher

Practice place value by drawing cards and trying to build the largest number possible. Kids play against the teacher to see who wins! Get the rules at the link below. ( Find more fun place value activities here.)

Learn more: The Teaching Love Fest/TpT

28. Read minds to figure out the correct numbers

Two students draw a card from the deck without looking and hold it up to their forehead facing out. A third student mentally multiplies the numbers and gives them the product. The students then must figure out what number each is holding. You can do this with addition and subtraction too. You'll find this game along with dozens of other math card games in the free printable book at the link below.

Learn more: Acing Math (PDF)

Plus, sign up for our free newsletters and get all the latest teaching ideas, straight to your inbox!

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All you need is a deck of cards to play these clever math card games. Kids will learn all sorts of important math skills and have fun too!

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Teacher-Recommended Math Games That Use Only a Deck of Cards

Looking for math games using just a deck of cards? The teachers of The Community Classroom have curated a list of some of our favorite educational math games. Please see our Top 10 Math Games Using a Deck of Cards below.

Do you have a favorite you don't see below? Add it to the comments, we'd love to learn from you and share your great idea with others.

Bonus: You can download this article as a PDF to share with your faculty, colleagues, or parent group here.

Games That Promote Counting
Builder's Paradise
Directions: Discard the face cards and place the 4 sevens side-by-side. Deal out the rest of the deck to all the players. In each round, players work to add the next higher or lower number in each suit, trying to be the first to have an empty hand. For example, to a seven you would add either an "8" above it or a "6" below it.

Source: Math Geek Mama

Games That Promote Addition​
Race to 100
Directions: Place the deck face down in the center of all players. Each player starts with a score of 0. Flip a card over and add its value to your running total. The first player to reach 100 without going over wins!

Source: 123 Homeschool 4 Me
Go Fish...For 10!
Directions: This is just like Go Fish, but you are fishing for pairs that add up to 10. Have them ask: "I have a 2. Do you have an 8 to make 10?" Change aces to 1 for this game. Added bonus if you use the correct mathematical terms: "I have a 2. Do you have an addend of 8 to make a sum of 10?"

Source: The First Grade Roundup

Games That Promote Fractions, Rounding, and More Challenging Math Skills
Round to the Nearest 10
Directions: Each player is dealt 2 cards. The players find the sum of their cards, then round their sum to the nearest 10. The person who rounds to the largest multiple of 10 wins the cards.

Source: Adventures in Third Grade
Gain or Loss
Directions: Each player starts with 15 points. Values are assigned to face cards. Cards are placed in the center of all of the players. The first player flips a card over. If the card is black, they add it to their total. If it's red, they subtract it. Highest point total when all the cards are gone wins!

Source: Guided Math
Fraction War
Directions: This game is just like war, except each player turns over 2 cards. Then the players make the largest fraction they can with their 2 cards, deciding what should be the numerator and denominator. The player with the largest fraction wins the cards.

Source: Math File Folder Games
Place Value War
Directions: It's war! But with 3 cards and a place value twist. Flip over 3 cards. Each player creates the largest number they can. Players compare numbers, and the largest number wins.

Source: Newark Public Schools
"Mathy" I Spy
Directions: Lay cards in a grid pattern (fewer cards for younger kids, more cards for older kids). Then play I Spy! Clues may be: I spy a number that is less than 4. I spy a number that is a factor of 28. Make the clues up based on the age and ability of your child.

Source: Susan Jones Teaching
Hit The Target
Directions: Lay five cards in the center of all players (facing up). Flip over another card, which is the target number. Players then create an equation in which they can add, subtract, multiply or divide their 5 numbers to hit the target number. Try to use all five cards, but you must use at least 2 cards. The winner takes the cards in the equation, plus the target number. (Whiteboards and markers or paper and writing utensils can be helpful with this game!)

Source: Newark Public Schools

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These 10 math games use only a deck of cards to help kids build stronger math skills in addition, fractions, place value, and rounding.

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A simple deck of traditional cards can yield countless math games for students at varying skill levels. Every game offers the flexibility to make the play easier, harder, or more complex - you get to decide! And with just standard deck of cards, you can bring math learning with you anywhere you go: car trips, restaurants, or just relaxing at home!

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I love the fact that any time I introduce a math game, I know I'll have instant buy-in from my students. Not only do kids enjoy playing math games, but they get focused practice on lots of math concepts.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, The Teacher Next Door, LLC receives a few cents on the dollar. This commission directly supports us as a small business and ensures that we can continue to create high-quality content for upper elementary teachers, like yourself! As always, the products shared are tried, true, and tested. Enjoy!

If you're looking for a dominoes suggestion, is an option from Amazon. However, if you have a few students who struggle reading the dots on the domino or have some vision impairment, this set has large, printed numbers on each side of the domino.

Do be mindful that each set linked above is a double 12 type domino meaning, but if you're working with smaller numbers or younger students, you may want to check out of type 6 dominoes.

The dollar store usually carries small sets of dominoes around the holidays too!

1. Bigger - Smaller Numbers

This game can be played in a number of ways. Students will be using dominoes to build larger or smaller numbers. One idea is to have students alternate.

So, the first round they would build the largest number possible and the next round would be the smallest number possible. One thing I like to do is to use a More/Less Coin that I make ahead of time. This is a simple plastic or foam circle. I attach a circle sticker (or you could use a sharpie) on one side with the word "more" and the other side with the word "less".

That way at the end of the game, no one knows who has won until you flip the more/less coin. If more is shown, the higher number wins and if less is shown, the smaller number wins. I like this because it adds suspense to the game and because no one feels the need to give up before the game is over if it becomes obvious that there is no chance for winning.

Here's how to play:

Students place all dominoes face down. Each student flips two dominoes over, and places the two next to each other to create a four-digit number. A bit of logical thinking goes here. To create a large number, a student will place the largest number in the front. For a small number, the smallest number will go in the front. The student with the winning number keeps the dominoes.

Variation:

To make this a decimal game, make a domino mat (kids can use scratch paper or you can make a pretty one using colored paper and possibly laminate it too). On the mat, place a dot to represent a decimal.

There are two possible decimal games I like to play. In the first version, students place the first domino in front of the decimal point to represent a number with tens and ones (for example, 4 and 2 would be 42). The other domino goes behind the decimal to make a tenth and a hundredth.

In the second, students line up both dominoes behind the decimal to create a number up to the 10,000th place. Again, students compare numbers to decide who wins, either larger or smaller as determined before or with the More/Less coin.

2. Domino Sort

In this game, students are working on prime and composite numbers. You'll want to create a Prime/Composite coin just like the More/Less coin described above for this game.

Here's how to play:

Students place all dominoes face down. Each student takes a domino and flips it over. You can decide if the sides are either added or multiplied together to get a number. Each student tells his/her answer and says if it is prime or composite (for example 11 is prime).

The Prime/Composite coin is flipped and if it lands on prime, all students with prime numbers can keep their dominoes. The students with composite numbers put theirs in a discard pile. The same process would happen if the coin said composite, but students keep their composite dominoes and discard prime dominoes. The student with the most dominoes at the end is the winner.

Variation:

For younger kids, instead of prime and composite, they can focus on even or odd. After flipping a domino, the sides are added and then the students determine if the sum is even or odd. The dominoes are then sorted into small bowls or baskets. There are three possibilities for this game: both sides are even, both sides are odd, or one side is even and one side is odd.

3. Domino War

This is a classic card game that can also be played using dominoes.

Here's how to play:

This is a game for two students. First, students place all dominoes face down. Each child places his/her hand on a domino, ready to flip it over. The first player (rotating turns so each person gets a chance to do this) whispers, "Ready? Go!"

Students then flip the domino, multiply both sides of it together (for example 2 and 4 would be 8) and say the answer quietly. Whoever says the answer correctly first wins both dominoes. The person with the most dominoes at the end wins.

Variation:

Students can also play the game and add the dominoes or subtract them (subtracting the smaller side from the larger side of one domino, or with two dominoes, the smaller sum from the larger sum). To make it more challenging, students can flip two dominoes and multiply their sums.

4. Choose Three

For this game, students need either scratch paper and a pencil or a whiteboard with an expo marker.

Here's how to play:

Place all dominoes face down. Students choose three dominoes. First, they multiply the sides together for each domino (for example, a 5 and a 6 would be 30). After finding the sums of each of the three dominoes, they add all three dominoes totals together for a grand total.

Then they use the More/Less coin and flip to see if the person with the larger or smaller number is the winner and keeps the dominoes.

Variation:

Choose Five would be the same process but students would flip over 5 dominoes to make the adding more challenging.

5. Race to 100

For this game, students need either scratch paper and a pencil or a whiteboard with an expo marker.

Here's how to play:

Students place all dominoes face down. Each student flips a domino and multiplies the two sides together. Then he/she writes down the total to keep a running total. Players continue to flip dominoes at the same time and each player multiplies the domino's sides and adds its total to the former totals. The first person to reach 100 wins!

Variation:

To make the game easier, students can add the dominoes and make it a Race to 50. To make it more challenging, students can flip two dominoes at a time, multiply their sums, and make it a Race to 500.

Another variation that includes subtraction practice is called Countdown to Zero! Students each start with 100. The domino is multiplied as before and is then subtracted from the running total until the player reaches zero and is the winner.

6. Rounding Game

For this game, students need either scratch paper and a pencil or a whiteboard with an expo marker to write rounded numbers.

Since each domino has two spaces, the place values will be set, depending upon how many dominoes are used. If students use one domino, they will be rounding to the tens place. If two dominoes are used, students may round to the tens, hundreds, or thousands place.

Using two dominoes, you can tell students which place to round or if they are able, you can tell them to round to the tens for the first three games, the hundreds for the second three games, and the thousands for the third three sets of games.

Here's how to play:

Students place all dominoes face down. For a simple game to round to tens, students flip over one domino. They can decide which way the domino is facing (for example a 3 and a 6 could be 36 or 63).

Students round their numbers, write it down (so they remember it and can refer to it) and tell their partners their answer (for example, 36 rounds to 40). Students use the More/Less coin to determine the winner.

Variation:

This game can also be played as a decimal rounding game. Students can make a scratch paper domino mat with a decimal point in the middle or you can make decimal mats using colored paper.

The game can be played with one domino behind the decimal point, so students have a number with a tenth and a hundredth and would be rounding to the nearest tenth.

It can be played with two dominoes behind the decimal point, so students have tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and ten thousandths. They can round to any of those places except the ten thousandths.

A third alternative is to use two dominoes and place two in front of the decimal (ones and tens) and two behind the decimal (tenths and hundredths). Students can round to tens, ones, or tenths using this format.

7. Fraction War

For this game, students need either scratch paper and a pencil or a whiteboard with an expo marker to work on fraction problems.

Here's how to play:

Students place dominoes face down. Each student flips over one domino and places it down vertically (like a fraction) with the smaller number on top (the numerator).

If the domino has the same number on the top as on the bottom (for example, four fours), the student automatically wins since the fraction equals one and it's somewhat of an unusual domino.

If the domino is blank on one side (which means zero), the student automatically loses that round since zero of a fraction is always zero.

For regular dominoes, students need to compare domino fractions to determine which is larger and which is smaller. This comparing of fractions may be done mentally in some cases (if you're okay with that) or it can be written down. Students flip the More/Less coin to determine the winner, who keeps the dominoes.

Variation:

Besides comparing fractions, students can play a game multiplying fractions. You can have them play with the rule that the fastest correct answer wins.

An alternative is that both players work on multiplying the fractions at the same time on whiteboards. They cover their answer until both players are done and then uncover their answers.

Each correct answer wins his/her own domino and if the other person is incorrect, will win his/her domino as well.
*** Don't have real dominoes right now? These FREE Dominoes by Digital Classroom Clipart are great printables. Click here to grab the free domino set.
I hope this has given you a few new ideas for domino math games! If you're looking for more engaging math resources, I also have some awesome task cards for 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade.

Each bundle has 30 sets of math task cards (one for every standard) which are great for centers, one on one, or for whole-class games.

Want some free math games using playing cards? I wrote a post on Upper Elementary Snapshots that you might want to check out Math Games Using Playing Cards.

Also, if you'd like some free and fun math games using dice, you might like this post: Math Games Using Dice.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Math Games Using Dominoes - The Teacher Next Door

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Math games have always been part of our math time. I love the fact that any time I introduce a math game, I know I'll have instant buy-in from my students. Not only do kids enjoy playing math games, but they get focused practice on lots of math concepts.

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How to Engage Your Students Using Math Games with Dominoes

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Engaging your students in math doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Here are some of the best math games with dominoes that are low-prep!

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Who doesn't love dominoes? 😍 Such a versatile resource that can be found in almost every single classroom!

Don't just think of these cute little tiles in the traditional format, though, with matching number combinations in a puzzle-style arrangement on the mat (although the number of early maths skills you are ticking off in that game alone is HUGE!)

There are so many fun and easy games you can play with dominoes that require no prep at all!

Here are 8 of our favourites 💛

💛 Add & Order: This one is pretty self-explanatory! Place all the dominoes facedown in the middle of the group. Students take 5 dominoes each, add both sides together and order the dominos from the smallest number to the largest number. You might like to play in small groups for younger learners, taking one domino at a time and ordering them as you go. Adding a whiteboard and marker might also be handy so students can record the numbers as they add them together.

💛 Number Line Sort: Similar to 'Add & Order', start with dominoes face down in the middle of the group. 'Number Line Sort' asks students to take a domino, add the sides together and place it on an 'imaginary' number line. Using an imaginary number line helps students visualise where numbers fall in relation to each other. You might like to use a number line drawn on a whiteboard for our younger learners, indicate positions such as 0, 5, 10 etc. using some of our number cards, or use one of our ready-print number lines in your favourite decor style. Students will then continue until the number line has been filled. If a domino is picked up that is already represented on the number line, it can be placed below the original domino, or you could pile them on top of each other.

💛 Domino Clash: This is a take on the traditional game of War and works best with pairs of students. Dominoes are placed face down in the middle of the pair. Each student takes turns to flip a domino. Both sides are added together, and the student with the largest number gets to keep both dominoes. You might like to play that when both dominoes show equal amounts, all the dominoes go back into the centre of the game.

For older students, this game can be played with a focus on place value. Students could look at their number combinations and treat one side of the domino as the tens, and the other as the ones (ie. A domino with 3 dots on one side and 5 on the other could represent 35 or 53) to determine which makes the bigger number.

💛 Domino Fitness: Who doesn't love a brain break that is educational at the same time? In this game, a student indicates a fitness move (such as squats, jumps, skips etc) and then turns over a domino. The sides are added together and the fitness move is completed that many times. Repeat until you run out of either dominoes or energy! 🤣

💛 Odd or Even?: Dominoes are also great to use to practice identifying odd & even numbers. To start, dominoes are placed face down in the centre of the group. Students take turns flipping the dominoes and counting the total dots shown. They then need to decide if the number is odd or even and sort the dominoes appropriately. The domino then gets placed in an odd or even pile. Continue until all the dominoes are sorted!

💛 Friends of Ten Pairs: This game is a great way to practice the 'Friends of 10' facts, and is played similarly to the traditional game of Dominoes. You will need a set of dominos that shows number arrays up to 9. Instead of students matching the numbers together, they are looking for friends of 10 combinations (1 & 9, 2 & 8, 3 & 7, 4 & 6, 5 & 5). Start with a domino face up in the centre of the group. For younger students, have all dominoes visible and students can take turns selecting one that can be matched with a 'Friends of 10' pair. For older students, you might like to distribute the dominoes to the members of the group and then have them take turns to match a 'Friends of 10' pair. If they are unable to make a match, they miss a turn. The winner is the first player to lose all of their dominoes.

💛 Place Value Ordering: This game is suited for students in Year 1 and above. Dominoes start face down in the centre of the group. Students take 5 dominoes each, and rather than adding the dots, they treat the sides of the dominoes like tens and ones (ie. A domino with 3 dots on one side and 5 on the other could represent 35 or 53). They then put their 5 dominos in order from the smallest number to the largest number.

💛 Times Tables: For students practicing their multiplication facts, dominoes are also very useful. Place all dominoes face down in the middle of the group and have students take turns picking a domino. They look at the number combinations and say the multiplication sum (a domino with 3 dots on one side and 5 on the other could represent 3 x 5 or 5 x 3). They then say the answer and can keep the domino if they get the answer correct. Continue around the circle until all the dominoes are gone. The player who has the most dominoes at the end of the game wins!

Want more? We have some awesome downloadable resources on the webby that utilise dominoes for a fast-paced, fun learning experience that you can easily use as recorded evidence for assessment! ⭐️

Check out the range below!

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8 Easy Maths Games To Try Using Dominoes - Top Teacher

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Who doesn't love dominoes? 😍 Such a versatile resource that can be found in almost every single classroom! Don't just think of these cute little tiles in the traditional format, though, with matching number combinations in a puzzle-style arrangement on the mat (although the number of early maths skills you are ticking off in [...]

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10 Domino Addition Games and Activities for Your Math Centers

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Domino addition activities are a great way to engage your students! I’m sharing 10 favorite domino addition activities you can use today!

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I love finding common items around the house and making games with them. I recently came across a tin of dominoes and put those babies to work! My students LOVE the idea of playing with dominoes even if they are sharpening their math skills while doing so!

These games can be played alone or with partners. Partners tend to make them even more fun!

Ordering Products

1. Students choose five dominoes, turn them over, and multiply each side together.

2. Order the products from least to greatest or greatest to least.

3. Want to make it a game? Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest number and least number. The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins.

Multiplication War

1. Students begin with dominoes face down.

2. Each student chooses a domino.

3. On the count of three, students turn over their domino and multiply the dots on one side by the dots on the other side. The student with the highest product wins the dominoes.

Even/Odd Sort

1. Add, subtract, or multiply the dots on the dominoes then sort the answer by odd or even numbers.

2. Want to make it a game? Before the game begins state a rule. The partner with the most even numbers or odd numbers wins the set.

Prime/Composite Sort

1. Add, subtract, or multiply the dots on the dominoes then sort the answer by prime or composite.

2. Want to make it a game? Before the game begins state a rule. The partner with the most prime numbers or the most composite numbers wins.

Coordinate pairs

1. Provide students with a coordinate grid.

2. Students plot points using the dots on the dominoes. One side is the x-coordinate; the other side is the y-coordinate.

Ordering Decimals

Compare Decimals

Add or Subtract Decimals

Compare Fractions

Ordering Fractions

1. Students choose five dominoes and turn them over.

2. One side is the numerator; the other side is the denominator

3. Order the fractions from least to greatest or greatest to least.

4. Want to make it a game? Partners order their dominos then find the difference between their greatest fraction and least fraction. The partner with the greatest (or least) difference wins.

For a printable version of these games, you can download it HERE. This printable is perfect to laminate and attach to a loose leaf ring for easy access.

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I love finding common items around the house and making games with them. I recently came across a tin of dominoes and put those babies to work! My students LOVE the idea of playing with dominoes even if they are sharpening their math skills while doing so!