[Get Friendly with Games] Math Games, Apps, and Activities
There are probably many people who still struggle with math even as adults.
If only we had gotten more comfortable with it back when we were little—maybe starting from basic arithmetic—we might not feel so intimidated by math now, right?
In this article, we introduce math games for children that help them get familiar with arithmetic from the early years of elementary school—fun activities that teach math through play.
We’ve lined up a wide range of options, from games kids can play solo to ones for groups, including apps and card games.
Of course, adults can enjoy them too, so be sure to try playing together with your child!
- How many can you solve? Brain-flexing math riddle quiz
- A game where you can learn the multiplication table while playing
- Math quiz for elementary school students
- A math quiz for adults. Can you solve it?
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- [For Elementary School Students] Cipher Quiz: Fun Puzzle Riddles
- [Interesting] Collection of Matchstick Quiz Problems
- Learn by Playing! Recommended Games with a Kanji Theme
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- [Playable from lower grades] Japanese language games and activities
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Elementary School] Recommended Ideas for Morality Games: Learn Through Play
- [Easy] Quizzes That Elementary School Students Can Solve! A Collection to Nurture Wisdom
[Get Friendly with Games] Math Games, Apps, and Activities (21–30)
Doraemon: Parent and Child Number Play
For kids who are naturally familiar with digital devices, learning math through apps can be very effective! The Doraemon app “Oyako de Sūji Asobi” lets children learn addition, subtraction, and multiplication with Doraemon characters in a game format.
When you clear stages, you receive cards, so you can collect cards of various characters.
There’s also a mode where Doraemon presents math problems, so kids can keep learning without getting bored.
It’s great for studying on the go or independently!
Guess the weight game
If you want to get familiar with numbers and the weight of objects, try this game! The “Guess the Weight Game” is a play activity where you look for items that are as close as possible to a reference weight.
The only thing you can rely on is your own sense—remember the feeling of holding exactly 100 grams, then pick up various objects to check and bring the one you think is right.
It’s simple, but incredibly fun.
To tie it to math, how about a rule like “add up the weights of the items you brought to get closer to the target value”? I think it’s a game that can really shine depending on your ideas.
Area Capture Game
How about learning math with a drawing-like feel? It’s a territory-grabbing “Area Capture Game” that uses shapes to compete for grid squares.
It’s a two-player game: prepare a sheet of paper with a grid, then take turns drawing predetermined shapes on it.
The game ends when your shapes and your opponent’s shapes connect to divide the board into two territories.
The player with more white squares in their own territory wins.
The rules might be somewhat similar to Go.
Guessing which shape your opponent will play next and how you’ll counter it makes the battle really engaging.
Newspaper-Length Game
It’s important to develop a feel for “about this much,” isn’t it? Even if you can’t measure precisely, having a sense of approximate quantities is handy when the moment calls for it.
The “Yamakan Length Game” is a game where you guess approximate lengths.
Cut a newspaper into strips, then cut a strip to match the target length; the person whose strip is closest to the target wins.
The trick is to remember the reference length from the first round and make good use of it in the second round.
That way, even if you miss the first time, you can get pretty close on the second try!
mosquito
Let me introduce “Mosquito,” a game where you take on roles and battle while doing calculations.
How about splitting into Spiders and Mosquitoes and trying a game that uses simple arithmetic? Even if you’re not confident with math, it’s easy to jump in because it feels like a game.
All you need is paper and a pen.
The calculations use multiplication, so anyone with basic multiplication knowledge can play—that’s part of the appeal.
By playing while thinking about tactics and strategy, you can develop planning skills, flexibility, and problem-solving ability.
Arithmetic game with both hands
This is a game where you use both hands to show the answer to a given arithmetic expression.
For example, if someone says “What’s 5 + 1?”, you make 6 with your fingers.
You can hold up three fingers on each hand, or five on one hand and one on the other—either is fine.
You’re free to choose, but syncing the answer that pops into your head with your hands is trickier than you’d think.
That’s exactly why it gets so exciting! The rules are simple, so it’s great for helping kids practice math, too.
If you’re the one giving the problems, make sure the answers don’t exceed 10!
Duolingo
Duolingo is an app that’s widely enjoyed and studied around the world.
In the Japanese version, you can enjoy not only English, Korean, Chinese, and French, but also math and music, so it caters to children’s wide range of interests—and it seems like their academic skills could improve without them even realizing it while they play.
There’s also a family plan, so it could be fun for the whole family to try together.
It first asks about your current level, so you can study at a level that suits you.
Practice listening and English vocabulary for languages like English/Korean on DuolingoCategory: Education Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.55309
iPhone / iPadAndroid
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