Parents and teachers are looking for ways that students can practice important math skills at home, and the solution needs to be both engaging and easy to prepare. What could be simpler than playing math games with ordinary playing cards?
This post contains affiliate links, which simply means that when you use my link and purchase a product, I receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you, and I only link to books and products that I personally use and recommend.
In scouring the Internet for ideas, I came across the website of an organization called the Positive Engagement Project (PEP). It’s a nonprofit organization whose mission is “To get students positively engaged in active learning while getting ourselves and others positively engaged with schools and communities.”
On their website, they have a downloadable booklet called Acing Math. It is 69 pages of games, for grades K through 6, that can be played with a standard deck of cards. It’s an amazing resource.
Like this? Check out this post for a booklet on math games with a pair of dice!
Oh my gosh, you’re the best! I was just making a booklet for my kids for the summer bags but yours are MUCH nicer! Thank you for sharing and saving me hours :o)
Sabra
Teaching with a Touch of Twang
That’s seriously my favorite type of comment, Sabra! So glad to be able to share something that will save other teachers time and help all of our kiddos enjoy math more!
This is wonderful!! I have truly enjoyed your blog and have gotten some great ideas/lessons from you! I appreciate you making and sharing this resource (and all others:). I can’t wait to share it with my team!
Tara
https://www.facebook.com/180DaysAndCounting
Totally my pleasure, Tara!!
Yes, Donna, many thanks!
Thank you, Donna. As always, this is a great resource!
I need a t-shirt that says, “Will create resources for sweet comments!” Ha ha. Thanks so much, Michelle.
This is so awesome thank you Donna! It’s so great to see addition and multiplication activities and various ways I can incorporate this into my year 8 to 12 classes! I LOVE it! 🙂
Liz – BaysideMathTeacher
Thanks, Liz! I think it’s a fun assortment of games. My kiddos played the I Spy games today, and they were a big hit.
Your blog is OFFICIALLY my favorite 🙂
Alyssha
Teaching and Tapas: 2nd Grade in Spain
Wow, thanks Alyssha! That is OFFICIALLY my favorite comment! 🙂
Awesome, thank you so much Donna for these wonderful activities!
What a great resource to share with students and families. I plan to give these to each of my students and have them play at home as well as at school. Thank you!
I look so forward to receiving your newsletter!! There are so many awesome math ideas and activities. Thank you for generously sharing!!!
It can be as simple as having students add the two cards together, to as complex as using the cards to make fractions and decide which is bigger!
Absolutely! Simple is best. 🙂
For some reason I am unable to open the card and dice game booklets. Is there another way I can get a copy? Thanks
Eileen
Thanks for sharing! I love playing math games with tools or objects that the children may also have at home so they are more apt to play.
I love your booklet!
Is there a limit to the number of copies I can print? I would like to send a copy of the booklet along with a deck of cards to all students in grades K-4 for summer. Thanks!
Wonderful! Any chance of one for first-second grade? Pretty please? 🙂
Sheri, the booklet contains games for a range of grade levels. Some are definitely appropriate for 2nd grade!
Thank you so much for sharing your hard work. This is just what I was searching for.Blessings to you!
You are very welcome!
Thank you so much for this resource! Our school is having a Math Night with students and their families. I’m giving out decks of cards and having stations with card games students can play with their families at home. This will be great to send home with them!
This is perfect for a family math night!
I love this resource! I have the exact resource, but in a teacher format. It’s nice to have the booklet so that I can use that for students to take home. Fabulous!!
One of my favorites! Something for every level.
Thank you. I’d love math games with a deck of cards.