Making math hands on and fun makes it much easier for kids to learn and practice new concepts. This is especially true for kids who are just starting to work with computations like addition and subtraction. Shake and Add is a hands on math game that gets kids moving and learning!
I first started playing this game with the kids in my elementary school class. They loved to use manipulatives like bingo chips and marbles while they added and subtracted, but it got a little old after awhile. We decided to add shaking and dumping into the routine and it got a lot more exciting! It’s the perfect game for week two of Camp Mathematics.
Hands on Math Addition Game
- 2 cups
- bowl or tray
- dice
- pom poms, marbles, stones, etc
The premise of the game is super simple. Roll each die and add the corresponding number of pom poms to each cup. Then shake them up!
When the cups are properly shaken the child dumps it into the bowl and counts to see how many is there. It’s the same concept of adding with manipulatives, but more fun!
Some kids are more sensitive to noise and some need more sensory input so you can choose the best shaking material for your kids or class. Marbles have a much different sound and experience compared to pom poms. You may also want to switch it up based on how much noise you are in the mood for that day!
There’s more math fun coming your way this summer–6 weeks worth to be exact!
This is week two of Camp Mathematics and both Erica and I are sharing fun ideas for computation. She has a magic squares game your kids will love so go see how to play!
Have you missed a week of Camp Mathematics? Catch up now!
Week 1: DIY Abacus for Kids and Counting Down Math Game
Week 2: Shake and Add Math Game and Magic Squares Game
Week 3: Grape Shapes STEM Activity and T Puzzle
Week 4: Math Patterns in Nature and Spirolaterals
Week 5: Sandwich Fractions and a Printable Fraction Game
Week 6: Math Card Games and Cooperative Dice Games
Stay tuned each week for more math ideas you can do with your kids this summer!
This assortment of math games and activities are amazing! I am already adding some of them to my collection of math centers in my classroom. Thanks for sharing!
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