Interactive Math Games for First Graders
- If your child likes to play outdoors, the sandbox math sticks game is perfect for you. You need Popsicle sticks, a marker and a sandbox in order to play this game. Write a simple math problem on the top of each stick and the answer to the problem on the bottom. Stick the bottom portions in the sandbox, so that the problems are visible and the answers are hidden. Have your child read each math problem and tell you the answer. Have him check his answer by removing the stick from the sand. After your child has correctly answered all the math problems, allow him to play in the sandbox.
- Coin denominations are a common first grade learning topic. Help your child learn about coins and also learn practical skills by playing "Buy it with Coins". Look through grocery store ads and select a few items that cost less than $2. Instruct your child to tell you how to pay for the item with coins. Give her play money or real coins to help her work out the problem. Be patient and let her come to the answer on her own. This is a fun way for your child to learn about money while developing the ability to figure out how to pay for the things she needs.
- Pop bottle bowling is a fun game that you can play with your child to help them polish their addition skills. You need 10 clean and empty two-liter pop bottles, white paper, scissors, clear tape, marker, a tennis ball, and notepad and pencil. Cut ten strips of white paper and write a number from one to ten on each strip. Tape one strip to each of the ten two-liter pop bottles. Set the bottles up like bowling pins. Take turns with your child knocking down the bowling pins with the tennis ball. Add the numbers on the pop bottles to keep score. The person with the highest sum wins. You can also modify this game to work on subtracting skills. Start with the sum of one through ten, which is 55, and have your child subtract the numbers on the pop bottles he knocks down.