Top 10 Best Math Review Games

Math games are an absolute must in my classroom! I use games as a fun way to review topics before an assessment. It’s a great way to break up the week or even end a week for a “light” Friday. However, if you only expose your students to one or two games, they will get bored with it fast week after week. Sooooo, I make sure I have a variety of games for every topic. Below are my top 10 favorite middle school and high school math games! Included are some links to blog posts describing the games, so check them out….

1 – BATTLE MY MATH SHIP

This is obviously my favorite! And if you’re wondering why it’s my favorite, read my Battle My Math Ship blog post to learn all about this game! My students LOOOOOVE this game too! I think they like it so much because even if you aren’t the best math student, you have a great chance of winning because it involves luck and strategy.

2 – TASK CARD GAMES

Task cards can be used for a variety of games. Here are a few different ways I use them:

• Speed Dating: Students become experts of their task card and then speed date with classmates to solve other problems and check their partners work at the same time. You can read about it HERE.
• Lottery: This is such a simple way to make task cards fun! I like that it involves teamwork and luck! You can read how to set this up HERE.

• Let the Cards Decide: Mrs. E Teaches Math wrote a blog post about this game and I love how she makes the game exciting with cards to help earn points or lose them. Check it out in this blog post.
• Boom: Mrs E Teaches Math is on a roll with task card review games, as this is another one that is super fun! Check it out in this blog post.

3 – MAZES

This is one of my go to games, as the students like having the correct answer as an option, so they can easily determine if they answered the question correctly. Idea Galaxy does a great job of explaining how to use this game in the classroom. You can read about it HERE.

4 – KAHOOT AND QUIZZIZ

Both of these platforms are awesome internet based games that can be played live or at the student’s own pace. The best part is there are so many games already created, so you can just pick and choose the ones that work for you. Here is a guide on how to use Quizziz in the classroom  and here is Kahoot Blog where you can learn more about this interactive game.

5 – BINGO

We all know how to play BINGO and there are some fun ways to do it in math class, especially for whole group review. All Things Algebra and Free to Discover have some great activities for BINGO.

6 – WOULD YOU RATHER

I’ve created a vocabulary review game based on would you rather be an athlete or a mathlete and you can check it out HERE. Included is an editable version, so you can choose your own vocabulary and scenarios. There is also a website with would you rather questions that really gets students thinking about would you rather questions related to different math scenarios. These are great as warm-ups!

7 – MYSTERY GAMES

The two that come to mind that students love are Math Libs by All Things Algebra, which you can read about HERE and Whodunnit by Clark Creative Education. Students always love a little mystery!

8 – OLD MATH GUY

Free to Discover created this fun game that is a spin on Old Maid. It’s a great game to print, laminate, and use year after year. You can read about 9 different ways to use this game in math class HERE.

9 – PUZZLES

I love to use puzzles to do group challenges! They are a fun way for students to make connections between the same concept, but in different ways. I really like how Scaffolded Math and Science creates her puzzles, which you can find HERE. And Lindsay Perro has some unique versions as well, which you can find HERE.
I’ve also used KenKen puzzles for after an assessment for some extra fun! You can read more about them HERE.

10 – TIC-TAC-TOE

There are a few different ways to play this game! You can find several versions on Teachers Pay Teachers HERE. Students enjoy this classic game with a twist!

MORE GAMES TO TRY…

Other games I haven’t tried yet, but look fun and interesting…

• Voyage to the Treasure
• Around the Clock
• Connect Four:Middle School Math Man or Smith Curriculum & Consulting
• Four in a Row 
• Trashketball
• Spin to Win

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