List

Number Games

Dot Card Games
article

Dot Card Games

These games devised by Jenni Way use dot cards which will help children see the structure of numbers 1-6 and give them confidence as they begin to add and subtract these numbers.
Ten-frames Games
article

Ten-frames Games

These games use ten-frames to develop children's 'sense of ten'.
Nim-7
problem
Favourite

Nim-7

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Can you work out how to win this game of Nim? Does it matter if you go first or second?
Totality
problem
Favourite

Totality

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
This is an adding game for two players. Can you be the first to reach the target?
Tug of War
problem
Favourite

Tug of War

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

Can you use the numbers on the dice to reach your end of the number line before your partner beats you?

Shut the box
problem
Favourite

Shut the box

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

An old game with lots of arithmetic!

Strike it out
problem
Favourite

Strike it Out

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star

Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.

Incey Wincey Spider
problem
Favourite

Incey Wincey Spider

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
You'll need two dice to play this game against a partner. Will Incey Wincey make it to the top of the drain pipe or the bottom of the drain pipe first?
Double or Halve?
problem
Favourite

Double or Halve?

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Throw the dice and decide whether to double or halve the number. Will you be the first to reach the target?
Totality for Two
problem

Totality for Two

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Totality game for an adult and child. Be the first to reach your agreed total.
Snail One Hundred
game
Favourite

Snail One Hundred

In this game, you throw a dice and move counters along the snail's body and in a spiral around the snail's shell. It is about understanding tens and ones.

Dicey Addition
problem
Favourite

Dicey Addition

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Who said that adding couldn't be fun?
Shut the Box for Two
game

Shut the Box for Two

Shut the Box game for an adult and child. Can you turn over the cards which match the numbers on the dice?
Strike it out
game

Strike it Out for Two

Strike it Out game for an adult and child. Can you stop your partner from being able to go?

Dotty Six for Two
game

Dotty Six for Two

Dotty Six game for an adult and child. Will you be the first to have three sixes in a straight line?

Pass the Peas, Please
game

Pass the Peas, Please

A game for 2 or more players. Practise your addition and subtraction with the aid of a game board and some dried peas!

Stop or Dare
game

Stop or Dare

All you need for this game is a pack of cards. While you play the game, think about strategies that will increase your chances of winning.
First Connect Three
problem
Favourite

First Connect Three

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners and try to complete a row of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?
Down to Nothing
game

Down to Nothing

A game for 2 or more people. Starting with 100, subratct a number from 1 to 9 from the total. You score for making an odd number, a number ending in 0 or a multiple of 6.

Tug Harder!
problem
Favourite

Tug Harder!

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
In this game, you can add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers on the dice. Which will you do so that you get to the end of the number line first?
Nice or Nasty
problem
Favourite

Nice or Nasty

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Train Tactics
game

Train Tactics

A train building game for two players. Can you be the one to complete the train?
Factors and Multiples Game
game
Favourite

Factors and Multiples Game

A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?

Play to 37
problem
Favourite

Play to 37

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
In this game for two players, the idea is to take it in turns to choose 1, 3, 5 or 7. The winner is the first to make the total 37.
The Remainders Game
game
Favourite

The Remainders Game

Play this game and see if you can figure out the computer's chosen number.

Countdown
game
Favourite

Countdown

Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

Nice or Nasty for Two
game

Nice or Nasty for Two

Some Games That May Be Nice or Nasty for an adult and child. Use your knowledge of place value to beat your opponent.
Statement Snap
problem
Favourite

Statement Snap

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
You'll need to know your number properties to win a game of Statement Snap...
Less is More
problem
Favourite

Less is More

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Use your knowledge of place value to try to win this game. How will you maximise your score?
Four Go for Two
game

Four Go for Two

Four Go game for an adult and child. Will you be the first to have four numbers in a row on the number line?
First Connect Three for Two
game

First Connect Three for Two

First Connect Three game for an adult and child. Use the dice numbers and either addition or subtraction to get three numbers in a straight line.

Daisy
game

Daisy

In this game for two players, take it in turns to shade one petal, or two petals next to each other. Is it better to go first or second?
Got It
problem
Favourite

Got It

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star

A game for two people, or play online. Given a target number, say 23, and a range of numbers to choose from, say 1-4, players take it in turns to add to the running total to hit their target.

Dominoes
game

Dominoes

Everthing you have always wanted to do with dominoes! Some of these games are good for practising your mental calculation skills, and some are good for your reasoning skills.
Four Go
problem
Favourite

Four Go

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two of the numbers to multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row?
Fifteen
game

Fifteen

Can you spot the similarities between this game and other games you know? The aim is to choose 3 numbers that total 15.

Calculator Bingo
game

Calculator Bingo

This is a game for two players. What must you subtract to remove the rolled digit from your number? The first to zero wins!

Spiralling Decimals for Two
problem

Spiralling Decimals for Two

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
filled star filled star empty star
Spiralling Decimals game for an adult and child. Can you get three decimals next to each other on the spiral before your partner?
Got \It for Two
game

Got It for Two

Got It game for an adult and child. How can you play so that you know you will always win?

Spiralling Decimals
game
Favourite

Spiralling Decimals

Take turns to place a decimal number on the spiral. Can you get three consecutive numbers?

Chocolate Bars
game

Chocolate Bars

This is a game to be played on your own or with friends. Imagine you are having a party. Each person takes it in turns to stand behind the chair where they will get the most chocolate.