7 Fun and Easy Ways to Teach Math to Kids

Math can be a difficult subject for some children to learn (and a difficult subject for some parents to teach!).

Fortunately, there are many different ways to teach math to children. Some methods may work better for certain children than others which is why it is helpful to try different methods to find the one that is best suited for your child.

Please continue reading below to discover seven different ways to teach math to kids, ranging from simple addition and subtraction to more complex concepts such as multiplication and division.

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1) Games – using everyday items

One way to make math more fun for kids is to turn it into a game.

There are a number of games that can be played with everyday items that can help kids to learn math concepts.

1) Use a deck of cards to play a game of addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

For addition and subtraction, have the child draw two cards and then add or subtract the numbers on the cards.

For multiplication, have the child draw two cards and multiply the numbers on the cards.

For division, have the child draw a card and then divide the number on the card by a number that you choose.

Simple and fun!

2) Use a die to play a game of addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

For addition and subtraction, have the child roll the die and then add or subtract the number that is rolled.

For multiplication, have the child roll the die and then multiply the number that is rolled by a number that you choose.

For division, have the child roll the die and then divide the number that is rolled by a number that you choose.

Playing games is a great way to make math more fun for kids. By using everyday items, you can create a variety of games that will help kids to learn math concepts. You could also incorporate any number of fun educational games as well. Check out our list of gameschooling games here.

2) Music

Need to change up the flash cards and worksheets?

Music might be your answer!

By using music, you can engage your child’s natural sense of rhythm to introduce mathematical concepts in a way that is fun and easy to understand.

Help them understand patterns by creating or listening to songs with simple, repeating melodies. This can also help them grasp complex concepts like fractions and division. By identifying the patterns in the music, they can better understand the patterns in the math.

Use rhythm to teach concepts like time and measurement. Keeping a beat while they walk, run, or dance can help them understand how to measure distance, and songs with different tempos can help them understand the concept of time.

Use music to help them memorize important information. I do this all the time – not just in math! Vocabulary words, math facts, and historical dates can all be more easily memorized with the help of a catchy tune.

Encourage them to compose their own music. Not only is this a great way to foster their creativity, but it can also help them better understand mathematical concepts like composition and rearranging numbers.

3) Art – visually representing mathematical concepts can help kids understand

Make math more visual by incorporating art.

Have your child pictures to represent mathematical concepts. For example, if you’re teaching them about addition, they could draw two houses and then add people or animals to the houses to show that the total number has increased.

4) Technology – there are so many great apps and online games to help kids with math

Technology has come a long way in recent years, and there are now some great apps and online games to help kids with math.

Many of these are free, and they can be a great way to get kids interested in math.

A quick search online will uncover some great online games that can help kids with math. Or, ask in a Facebook homeschool group on in your local co-op.

5) Cooking and baking

One of the best ways to help your kids understand math is to cook or bake with them.

Measuring ingredients and following directions are great ways to help them see how math is used in everyday life. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your kids and have some fun!

Here are a few tips to make cooking with your kids extra educational:

1. Let them help measure the ingredients. This is a great way for them to learn about fractions and how to convert between different units of measurement.

2. Have them help calculate the cooking time. This will help them understand how to use basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

3. Help them understand how temperature works. This is a great opportunity to talk about Celsius and Fahrenheit, and how to convert between the two.

4. Use food to teach basic geometry. Pizza is a great example – talk about circles, pizza slices, and angles.

5. Help them understand portion size. This is a great way to teach them about basic algebra and how to calculate percentages.

6. Use recipes to teach exponents. Show them how to use exponents to calculate how much of an ingredient they need if they want to double or triple the recipe.

Need some cooking inspiration? This is a fun cooking kit for kids that the whole family will enjoy!

6) Promote a positive attitude towards math at home

Much like anything else in life, a positive attitude toward math starts at home.

Whether you are helping with homework or simply engaging in day-to-day activities, there are many ways to promote a positive outlook toward math.

Make math a positive experience at home; instead of viewing math as a chore or something to be anxious about, try to show your child that it is an opportunity to learn and grow – a challenge they can overcome.

Show them how math is used in everyday life.

It is also helpful to show your child that mistakes are part of the learning process and that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

Emphasizing effort over results is a great way to foster a growth mindset.

Finally, it’s important to create an environment at home where mistakes are okay. This can be done by modeling a positive attitude towards mistakes yourself and by encouraging children to ask questions.

When children feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes, they’re more likely to see math as a fun and exciting challenge.

7. Worksheets

Believe it or not, many children love worksheets! If your child thrives with worksheets, incorporate these into their learning.

You could also incorporate printable math worksheets and games. Check out our full list of math printables (many free) here.