Math Games/Center Ideas

What’s Here

Learn how to create and implement math games quickly and inexpensively!  On this page, you’ll find photos of math games and free printable directions for several of them.  You can see how to store and organize these math partner games and introduce them to your class on the Starting Math Game Routines page.

Teacher-Made Math Games for Grades 2-4

Remember, even if you don’t use math partner games, you can still use the activities below as centers, in small groups, or as whole class games! Click on any picture to enlarge it and read the directions.

Division Memory

Facto: Basic Math Fact Practice

Pass Out (Multiplication Practice)

Speed (basic fact practice, any operations students know)

Three In A Row (A game of logic and strategy)

Battle (basic fact practice, any operations)

Add ‘Em Up (multiplication/division facts)

Dice 1000 (3 digit addition and 3 digit multiplication)

Division Go Fish (division fact practice)

Timed 5 Card Operations (all math operations students know/ fact families)
There is also an untimed version.

You can edit and print the cards here at the Flashcard Exchange. The basis of the game is this: students are given real-world division scenarios as if they owned an Italian restaurant. They must divide up the dried pasta pieces (stored in the yogurt cups) to reflect the word problems on the cards. Each player has different scenarios but should end up with the same amount of pasta at the end if they both play correctly. The problems get progressively more difficult, and the answers are included (in the purple pouch). It is a challenging activity I generally give my above-grade-level students.

You can view all the games I created at the Flashcard Exchange here, and edit/print them for your own use!

Click here for printable directions (for the games above) simplified for 2nd graders and below-grade-level 3rd graders, plus over a dozen new games! A few them of reference gameboards which unfortunately I do not have downloadable copies of for you, but there’s so simple to make! You can create your own Fact-O board by looking at the picture above. The Tens Frame game uses basic tens frames, nothing special. The Big 3 Digit/Baby 3 Digit gameboard is just a place value mat with a section for ones, tens, and hundreds. The Subtraction Track gameboard is the numbers from 1 to 25, with 3 x’s on the side for when kids strike out.

On the Math KITs page, you’ll find more second, third, and fourth grade math games as well as teacher-submitted versions for first graders!

Commercially-Bought Games

Below are commercially-bought games that took a very short time to turn into math tub activities/partner games.

Clever Catch Ball: Students toss this beach ball gently back and forth; whatever math problem their left thumb lands on, they have to solve. I have one for each of the four math operations. You can also buy plain beach balls at the dollar store and write on them yourself with permanent marker. You can program the balls with parts of speech, countries/capitals, vocabulary words, spelling words (read the word aloud to the partner and they must spell it correctly)… the possibilities are endless! Be sure to have students model how to toss and how not to toss the ball, and don’t be afraid to put away this activity if students get too wild with it.


Many teachers have math bingo games, either store bought or handmade. Pull a few bingo cards from your supply, along with extra chips/ place holders and photocopies of the fact problem cards and you’re ready to go! Students put the fact problem cards in a face-down stack and flip them over one at a time, covering the numbers on their boards as corresponding math problems are shown. The first one with a completely full board wins.

Turn a Worksheet Into a Hands-On Game!

Even worksheets can make great centers and math tubs! The only problem is you must keep a supply of photocopies. About once a month, put a center helper in charge of checking worksheet centers and math tubs to be sure they have enough copies. The student can pull one copy of the sheets that are running low and place it in your file or basket of papers to take to the photocopier. Also, some worksheets are simple enough that older students can copy the graphic organizer or framework onto their own paper. This worksheet is an example of one simple enough that some students could make themselves, especially if you did not require that they copy the pictures of the die.

Recommended Resources

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Number Family Tubs Printables from The School Bell Looking for printable math games? Best for grades 1-2, The School Bell is a tremendous resource for free flashcards, dominoes, gameboards, playing cards, and creative and unusual math games. Some of what I made this summer using the resources from this site are below (please check out The School Bell for close-ups, downloads, and instructions- these weren’t my ideas!) You will be astounded at how much work this teacher has put into making these materials and putting them on the ‘net FOR FREE!!

PreK/K math tub ideas from Hubbard’s Cupboard

‘Kids are Special’ has a huge collection of math tub games and links to other teachers’ math tub explanations.

Also try the Broken Hill School (New Wales) website for printable math card games.

Here are some great tips for differentiating math instruction through small groups and math games.

Math Tub Fun from Marcia’s Lesson Links (lots of great photos).

Now What?

Visit the main Math page
See how to introduce math partner games to your class on the Math Partner Game Routines page
Learn how to incorporate writing into math instruction on the Math Journals page
Check out more math games that can be used at school or home on the Math KITs page
Find more center materials on the Ideas for Free Centers page
Learn how to make Easy & Creative Centers
See how to arrange your materials and classroom on the Setting Up Centers and Stations page