Math Games with a Deck of Cards
Parents and teachers are always 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?
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To make it even easier, I’ve put together a downloadable booklet filled with math games that use nothing more than a deck of cards. It’s packed with engaging ways for students to build fluency and strengthen number sense—perfect for home or classroom use.
These games were originally part of a booklet called Acing Math from the Positive Engagement Project (PEP), a nonprofit organization. Although the original booklet and organization are no longer active, their engaging games live on in my reformatted version—ready for you to print and play!
You can download the booklet format here. You’ll need to copy it double-sided and then fold and staple it.
Like this? Check out this post for a booklet on math games with a pair of dice!
Bring This Approach to Your School!
If you’re an administrator looking for ways to make math instruction more meaningful and engaging, I offer professional development sessions that show teachers how to move beyond worksheets and build real problem-solving skills. Teachers will leave with practical strategies they can use right away—and students will develop deeper understanding and confidence. Interested? Let’s connect!
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.