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Has home schooling turned into a drag during lockdown? You're not alone.
After months of attempting to teach kids themselves, many parents have given up and let their children binge TV instead.
If this has happened to you, there's no need to panic.
Award-winning online maths tutor Maths-Whizz uses board games to convince kids that maths is actually enjoyable.
Not only will they encourage little ones to get learning again, they're also a great laugh and a break from "formal" studying at the kitchen table.
Here are some of our favourite games that could help to improve your children's maths skills without them getting bored…
1. Monopoly
This old favourite is a game of luck – or probability if you're being all mathsy about it – and is filled with loads of lessons as players learn how to add, subtract and multiply using fake money to buy and rent out properties.
There’s also lots about budgeting in there too, as everybody needs to spend their money wisely.
If you've got a child who is struggling with determining the odds of a certain outcome, try asking them the likelihood of rolling doubles and offer them £50 worth of Monopoly money if they get it right.
(Hint: it’s 1 in 6. But we had to ask our pals at Maths-Whizz for the answer!)
Age: 8+
You can get it here.
2. Rummikub
Another family favourite that's lasted the test of time is Rummikub which is all about patterns.
A game of 106 tiles numbered 1 to 13 in four different colours, players start with 14 and have to lay down specific number formations. If a player cannot go or chooses not to, they pick up another tile.
It is the first player to lay down all of their tiles who wins.
And the extra fun bit? The fact the winner gets to shout out at the top of their voice 'Rummikub!' when they do.
Age: 8+
You can buy it here.
3. What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?
If you are trying to teach your child how to tell the time, this will certainly help.
Players race around the board matching times to the central clock and trying to avoid the hungry wolf as they go. And with a fun forest theme, you can also incorporate learning about the different animals.
What's that you say about not being able to multi-task? Maths AND the natural world? You got this!
Age: 5-9
You can buy it here.
Whizz
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Maths-Whizz is a super clever virtual maths tutor which delivers interactive games, lessons and exercises for five to 13 year olds.
The online tutor uses AI to tailor its lessons to every child and as they grow, Maths-Whizz grows with them, identifying their learning preferences and always rewarding effort.
Whether in primary school or just starting secondary, Maths-Whizz can help your child not just understand maths, but love it too.
See for yourself by signing up for a 7-day no-obligation free trial. You can create an account by clicking here (which we promise is way easier to do than quadratic equations!).
If after the free trial you would like to take out a subscription package, readers can get an exclusive 20 per cent off using promo code 'COVID20'. This means you can receive a year of tutoring at £119.99 ( £30 off the current price of £149.99).
This article contains affiliate links, we may receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.Learn more
4. Prime Climb
This game, kind of like a hybrid of Ludo and Snakes and Ladders, is basically a race, with each player required to move their two pieces (known as ‘pawns’) to space 101, located at the board’s centre.
How is this done? By rolling dice of course – which, as anybody will tell you, is how all good board games start. The first player to land both of their counters on 101 wins.
Unlike your standard board game, where movements are made by adding dice values together, during a game of Prime Climb, players can move backwards or forwards by adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing the numbers rolled together with those printed on their current space.
The boffins at Maths-Whizz rate this one of the best maths board games out there with Director of Education, Junaid Mubeen, calling it a 'triumph of game-based learning'. And he won Countdown. So there.
Age: 10+
You can buy it here.
5. Pizza Fraction Fun
Maths and pizza might seem like a strange combination (yes, as strange to us as putting PINEAPPLE on pizza which is wrong on so many levels if you ask us) but if your child needs a little help with learning fractions then this could be a fun way of doing it.
A set of 13 double-sided fraction pizzas, all stored in a realistic-looking pizza box, there is a variety of different games and levels from simple halves to more complex fractions.
Using the spinner to select a fraction, players then match a pizza slice to that fraction and then continue to form a whole pizza. With the spinner also allowing to choose, lose or swap slices, it is the first player to build a complete pizza that wins.
Age: 6-10
You can buy it here.
6. Money Bags
As the name might suggest, this is about learning the value of money. With extremely realistic looking coins (HM Treasury approved, don't you know), this game helps young players become familiar with currency and counting.
The player rolls the die and moves forward the corresponding number of spaces to determine their ‘chore’. Each space shows the amount of pocket money earned for completing that chore. The player then spins the spinner to determine which coins they can use to collect the money from the bank.
The winner is the person with the most money when someone reaches the finish who then has all the bragging rights to call themselves a proper Money Bags.
Age: 6-10
You can buy it here.
7. SCI-FA Paa Halzuwn
Meaning 'The Spiral, players are tasked with racing their opponents around the board by solving mathematical problems as they go.
To win this game of chance and strategy, they need to be the first to reach cell 144. Not only can playing this game enhance your child’s learning, it can also improve their confidence with numbers. And who among us doesn't need that, right?
Age: 6+
You can buy it here.
8. Head Full of Numbers
This is basically the maths version of Boggle.
Players roll six dice out of a shaker shaped like a mad professor’s head. They then place the dice in a tray and try to make as many mathematical equations as possible using the numbers rolled out. Oh, and did we mention that there’s a strict time limit?
Beginners can use addition and subtraction, while division and multiplication can be introduced for more experienced players.
Age: 7+
You can buy it here.
9. City of Zombies
You: "Want to do some maths homework?"
Them: "You're funny."
You: "It's got zombies…"
Them: "I'm in."
This is a fast, frantic and fun maths-by-stealth board game where they also learn the importance of teamwork. In short, every player needs brains to survive.
Age: 6+
You can buy it here.
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