Summer is the perfect time for kids to flex their math muscles with some unique and fun activities. In this blog post, we will explore 10 fun summer math practice activities. Free PDF downloads included! They will help add an element of excitement into your child’s summer learning.
Summer Math Scavenger Hunts
Have your kids create a list of summer-themed math problems for a scavenger hunt. Or, feel free to use our free downloads. Add a time limit for an added challenge.
Supplies needed: paper, pencils or markers, calculators
Duration of game: 15-30 minutes
Players: 1-4
Math Beach Bingo
Make a bingo card with various summer-themed math problems. These can include questions about calculating the area of a beach towel, determining the volume of sand on the beach, and much more. Let your kids use calculators to solve each problem and mark off boxes as they get correct answers. For an added challenge, have them race against the clock.
Supplies needed: paper, pencils or markers, calculators
Duration of game: 15-30 minutes
Players: 1-4
Math in Nature
Head out to your nearest park or nature reserve and have your kids look for signs of math in nature. A few examples are, symmetrical tree branches or patterns on rocks. Have them take photos of their finds and discuss why these natural objects show signs of math.
Supplies needed: camera
Duration of game: 30-45 minutes
Players: 1-4
Math Puzzles
Challenge your kids with math puzzles that require them to solve math problems in order to figure out the answer. Use ours or fill in with your own equations. This is a great way for kids to practice their problem solving skills while having fun at the same time.
Supplies needed: paper, pencils or markers
Duration of game: 15-30 minutes
Players: 1-4
Math Road Trip
On a long car ride, have your kids create math problems based on the scenery they encounter along the way. This can include counting how many animals they spot in a specific area or calculating how far away certain landmarks are. You can even turn it into a game where you keep track of who finds the most answers and declare a winner at the end of the journey! This is an excellent way to turn a boring car ride into a fun learning experience for your kids.
Supplies needed: paper, pencils or markers
Duration of game: Variable
Players: 1-4+ (depending on the number of passengers in the car)
Math Relay Race
In this game, two teams compete against each other in solving math problems. Each team must solve one problem before passing it onto the next person in line and so on. The first team to get all the answers correct wins the race. This is a great way to make math fun and exciting for everyone involved.
Supplies needed: paper, pencils or markers
Duration of game: 15-30 minutes
Players: 2 teams with 1-4 players each.
Math Board Games
Board games are not just about luck, they also involve plenty of math skills such as counting and strategy. Choose board games that require players to roll the dice or add or subtract points. This is an interactive and fun way for kids to practice their math skills while playing a game.
Supplies needed: Board game (such as Chutes and Ladders or Yahtzee)
Duration of game: Variable
Players: 1-4+ (depending on the board game)
Math Rock Band
Make up math songs that your kids can sing along with you. These can be simple songs about counting numbers or more complex ones involving equations and other math facts. Your kids will have lots of fun singing these songs while also learning the fundamentals of math.
Supplies needed: None (other than your creative brain)
Duration of game: Variable
Players: 1-4+
Math Arts and Crafts
Have your kids create art projects based around math concepts such as symmetry, shapes, or angles. This is a great way to get your kids excited about math and allow them to express their creative side at the same time.
Supplies needed: Art supplies (paper, markers, etc.)
Duration of game: Variable
Players: 1-4+
Gardening with Probability
This game is perfect for kids who enjoy gardening. Ask your kids to predict the probability of plants growing in certain areas, or if certain plants will survive better in different conditions. After they have made their predictions, let them go outside and put their hypotheses to the test!
Supplies needed: Gardening tools
Duration of game: Variable
Players: 1-4+
With these tips, you’ll be sure to avoid the summer slide and make math fun for your kids! Learning math can be tedious but with the right activities, it doesn’t have to be. Try out some of these free summer activities and watch your kids gain enthusiasm for math.
For more resources check out our FREE lesson plans on writing the number, number sense, and engaging math. Your child doesn’t have to be in summer school to have fun exploring math all summer long!
