There are 185 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Games, you may find related items under Thinking Mathematically.
Broad Topics > Thinking Mathematically > Games
Dicey Operations in Line
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
Who said that adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing couldn't be fun?
Seeing Squares
Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level:
Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.
Double or Halve?
Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
Throw the dice and decide whether to double or halve the number. Will you be the first to reach the target?
Dicey Perimeter, Dicey Area
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
In this game for two players, you throw two dice and find the product. How many shapes can you draw on the grid which have that area or perimeter?
Matching Time
Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
Try this matching game which will help you recognise different ways of saying the same time interval.
Play to 37
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
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.
Spiralling Decimals
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
Take turns to place a decimal number on the spiral. Can you get three consecutive numbers?
Incey Wincey Spider
Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
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?
Dicey Operations
Age 11 to 14 Challenge Level:
Who said that adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing couldn't be fun?
Nice or Nasty
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Strike it Out
Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level:
Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.
Countdown
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
The Remainders Game
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
Play this game and see if you can figure out the computer's chosen number.
Snap
Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
Try this version of Snap with a friend - do you know the order of the days of the week?
Stop the Clock
Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
This is a game for two players. Can you find out how to be the first to get to 12 o'clock?
Tug Harder!
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
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?
Tug of War
Age 5 to 7 Challenge Level:
Can you use the numbers on the dice to reach your end of the number line before your partner beats you?
First Connect Three
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
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?
Diamond Collector
Age 11 to 16 Challenge Level:
Collect as many diamonds as you can by drawing three straight lines.
Four Go
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
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?
Factors and Multiples Game
Age 7 to 16 Challenge Level:
A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?
Transformation Game
Age 11 to 14 Challenge Level:
Why not challenge a friend to play this transformation game?
Diagonal Sums Sudoku
Age 7 to 16 Challenge Level:
Solve this Sudoku puzzle whose clues are in the form of sums of the numbers which should appear in diagonal opposite cells.
Diagonal Product Sudoku
Age 11 to 16 Challenge Level:
Given the products of diagonally opposite cells - can you complete this Sudoku?
Property Chart
Age 11 to 14 Challenge Level:
A game in which players take it in turns to try to draw quadrilaterals (or triangles) with particular properties. Is it possible to fill the game grid?
Shapely Pairs
Age 11 to 14 Challenge Level:
A game in which players take it in turns to turn up two cards. If they can draw a triangle which satisfies both properties they win the pair of cards. And a few challenging questions to follow...
Quadrilaterals Game
Age 11 to 14 Challenge Level:
A game for 2 or more people, based on the traditional card game Rummy.
Board Block Challenge
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
Choose the size of your pegboard and the shapes you can make. Can you work out the strategies needed to block your opponent?
The Twelve Pointed Star Game
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
Have a go at this game which involves throwing two dice and adding their totals. Where should you place your counters to be more likely to win?
Fractions and Percentages Card Game
Age 11 to 16 Challenge Level:
Can you find the pairs that represent the same amount of money?
Square It
Age 11 to 16 Challenge Level:
Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.
Got It
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
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.
Multiplication Tables - Matching Cards
Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level:
Practise your tables skills and try to beat your previous best score in this interactive game.
Matching Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
Can you match pairs of fractions, decimals and percentages, and beat your previous scores?
Nim-7
Age 5 to 14 Challenge Level:
Can you work out how to win this game of Nim? Does it matter if you go first or second?
Less Is More
Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level:
Use your knowledge of place value to try to win this game. How will you maximise your score?
Latin Lilies
Age 7 to 16 Challenge Level:
Have a go at this game which has been inspired by the Big Internet Math-Off 2019. Can you gain more columns of lily pads than your opponent?
Statement Snap
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
You'll need to know your number properties to win a game of Statement Snap...
Spiralling Decimals for Two
Age 7 to 14 Challenge Level:
Spiralling Decimals game for an adult and child. Can you get three decimals next to each other on the spiral before your partner?
Board Block Challenge for Two
Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:
Board Block Challenge game for an adult and child. Can you prevent your partner from being able to make a shape?
Totality for Two
Age 5 to 11 Challenge Level:
Totality game for an adult and child. Be the first to reach your agreed total.
Dot Card Games
Age 3 to 7
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.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.