Math Games for Kinesthetic Learners

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Math is one of those subjects that can easily be filled with worksheets and seat work. Especially, for a mama who has had her own struggles with math. It can be easier to put a worksheet in front of my son then to start from scratch designing activities for him. But, kinesthetic math activities are so engaging for kids who learn best through moving.

And, as we began homeschooling, I found out through many tearful math lessons that my son was going to have nothing to do with worksheets.

He is a highly kinesthetic learner and always full of energy. We have found a lot of ways to do school that doesn’t include sitting at a desk, like running around the house every 15 minutes (we have actually done this during school!)

And while that works to get the energy out, it doesn’t address the need to be teaching math from the way he learns best, which is through movement. I don’t want to settle for just helping him to” get through it.”

I want him to love math and feel like he can succeed at it. And, to do that I had to change my approach and give him math options that catered to his learning style.

For more fun math activities for kinesthetic learners check out this post:

Measure the Mayflower

 

Games that Combine Math & Movement

 

Target Math Practice

Math facts with nerf guns are awesome fun. My son gives this game his 10-year old, kinesthetic learning style stamp of approval.

To make this game, I put all the facts for each number 1-12 on a single sheet in and around a target, using a mix of answers and problems. I slip it into a plastic sheet cover to help it stand up to the bullets and then tape it up to a wall or a door.

Make sure there is plenty of room between where you tape it up and where your child stands because those bullets ricochet pretty far. It is a great game to play outside. Just make sure that there is something solid behind the paper or it will bend and move with the shots.

Once the target is up, I call out the opposite of what’s on the sheet. For example, if I call out 7×6 my son calls out and shoots at 42. If I call out 21 my son calls out and shoots at 7×3.

You can also tape up several sheets at a time and go until you’ve called out all the facts.

My son also plays this by himself. He looks at the target and calls out the opposite fact before shooting at it.

You can easily make your own version or you can download the game I made by below. The download includes one set with a red bullseye and one black and white version.

 

>>>> CLICK HERE FOR INSTANT DOWNLOAD <<<<

 

  

 

Math Stomp

Math Stomp is a game my son and I came up with last year. He was reviewing multiplication facts and got up from where we were sitting and started jumping around to get rid of some energy. I quickly wrote down some of our math facts on colored construction paper and started calling them out so he could stomp on the answers. And, he loved it.

Here are our rules of play:

1. First, you need to write out your math facts onto pieces of paper. Or use a set of large flashcards, just make sure they’re not too slippery. Either way, make sure the numbers are large and easily seen.
2. Next, space the cards out on the floor and call out a problem. Have your child jump to and stomp on the correct answer.
3. Place them with either side facing up. And, call out the opposite of what is facing up on the card. So in a multiplication version, if 4×3 is facing up, I call out 12 and vice versa. This makes every game a little different and my son is able to practice his facts both ways.

Math Mountains

This is great for drilling math facts. Set out flashcards on stairs in ascending order, easiest to hardest. You could also just set the cards out in a hallway and let them move along that way if you don’t have stairs.

To “climb the mountain” they have to get the problem right on the step they’re on to move to the next.

I would suggest putting at least two cards on each step, so they can choose which fact to answer. This also allows another option if they answer the first problem incorrectly.

For a variation, you could also add in the rule that they have to go back one stair if they answer incorrectly. If you do send them back, have them answer a different problem to move on again.

Shape Charades

This activity combines geometry and movement.

To play:

Draw and label 2-d and 3-d shapes on cards. Then, turn the cards face down on the table. Have your child draw one card at a time and try to make that shape with their body.

Your job is to guess what he is. You can make this a 2-player game or just let your child do all the bending and body shape building while you try to figure out what shape he’s supposed to be.

You can add elements like timing the attempts, only allowing a certain number of guesses per shape, or keeping score.

Swinging Number Sense

This kinesthetic math game is played by calling out a number as your kid is swinging. You try to do it in rhythm to their back and forth motion on the swing.

For skip counting, you would tell your child that you’re going to skip count by 5’s, 10’s or any other number by calling one out and having your child answer with the next number in the series. So for skip counting by 5’s, you would call out 5 as your child swings forward. When they swing back it’s their turn and they call out the next number in the series.

Play continues until your child gets stumped. Then you start a new game. To really challenge your kids, try starting from many different numbers, not just 5 or 10. Other ways to increase the difficulty would be to count by odd numbers like 3′, 7’s, and 9’s.

For an addition version, it would go like this: Your child swings back and calls out any number. For example, say they choose 2. When he swings forward you respond with plus 4 or any other number you choose. He swings back again and answers 6 and so on.

Try this with subtraction or multiplication too, for older kids

For younger kids, this game is a great way to practice counting in sequential order.

I came up with these games to help my high energy kinesthetic learner but, they are great for any kind of learner. They are an easy way to make learning fun and break the monotony of worksheets and seat work. Check out some other ideas on my Teaching Kinesthetic Kids Pinterest Board.

 

https://www.pinterest.com/poolnoodlespixiedust/math-for-kinesthetic-learners/

 

What things have you tried during math lessons to help your kinesthetic learners?

Let me know in the comments.

 

Heidi

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