Fun Math Activities

Get Kids Excited About Math

fun math activities

Kids and fun go hand in hand. So it's no surprise you are in search of fun math activities that make learning math exciting. You'll find all kinds of math stuff on this site geared toward making math fun.

Adder Ladders


Grade Level: 2-3

Skill: 2 and 3-digit addition and subtraction

Number of players: 2

Object of the game: Be the first player to correctly complete the game card.
fun math activities adder ladders

Supplies:

addition subtraction ladder game

Preparation:

  • Give each player a game card.

Supplies:

  • Click to print off game cards
  • A calculator
  • Assign a range of addends for players to use, such as 1-50, or 60 -100.
  • Instruct each player to write any 7 numbers within the range in the red box on his opponent’s game board.

To Play:

  1. In the first ladder, write two numbers from the red box in the top two spaces. Write their sum in the third space. 
  2. Write another number from the box in the fourth space and subtract it from the sum above it. 
  3. Write the difference in the bottom step of the ladder. 
  4. Transfer this number to the top of the next ladder. 
  5. Continue until all the ladders are completed.
  6. When the first player finishes, he calls out, “Done!” The second player should keep working to finish his game card.
  7. When both players are done, each one checks his opponent’s work using the calculator. If the first finisher’s card has mistakes, then the other player receives the points for finishing first.
  8. Points are awarded: 3 points for being the first to correctly complete the game card; 1 point for each number used from the box.
  9. Play more rounds.
  10. On a signal, both players race to be the first to complete their ladders. Players add and subtract up and down the ladders, using as many of the numbers from the red box as possible. A number may not be repeated within a ladder. See the sample completed ladder and explanation on the next page.
  11. The winner is the player with highest point total.

Have Fun!!!

More Fun Math Activities...

Maybe you child or student needs a simpler addition activity. No problem...If they need to practice their basic math facts, here's a fun addition facts game they should really enjoy.

And if subtraction practice is what you need, here's a subtraction facts game you will enjoy!

Fun math activities make math more interesting and exciting for kids. Are you ready to get your math laugh on? Math should not be all work and no fun! Of course, that's why you're on this site. Check out our collection of math jokes that help us look at the lighter side of math.

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