9 Great Math Board Games for Kids (Addition & Subtraction)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Research demonstrates the benefits of applying a multisensory approach to math instruction.

A multi-sensory approach incorporates the senses such as sight, sound, and touch into instruction.

Playing board games allows for a fun, engaging experience that incorporates a multisensory approach.

9 Math Board Games for Addition and Subtraction

1.  Sums in Space

Sums in Space includes two 0-9 sided die, allowing children to practice all single-digit math facts.

The concept of this game is that you are deep in space, on the hunt for space crystals.

All of a sudden, a black hole forms on the horizon and is breaking apart the planet.

To get home, you must get back to your spaceship by adding and subtracting your way through the game board.

Sums in Space allows for a competitive and cooperative version.

Recommended for 2 – 4 players, ages 5 and up.

2.  tri-FACTa Addition and Subtraction Game

Play tri-FACTa for a fun and effective way to build math fact fluency for addition and subtraction. Math facts up to 20, for grades 1 and up.

The triangular board serves as a visual clue for the creation of fact families or number sentences.

A fact family is the group of four math facts produced by the relationships between the three numbers in a fact triangle, such as:

Mastering the concept of fact families helps kids learn math facts, a crucial step in mathematics success.

3. The Learning Journey Match It! Mathematics Memory

Designed for two or more players, this is a fun and educational game that challenges problem-solving and develops memory skills as players try to find a pair of matching cards to make a correct equation.

Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn basic addition and subtraction. Recommended for ages 3 and up.

4. POP for Addition and Subtraction Card Game

Players spin the spinner to start the game, then draw a card from the gumball machine. Players keep the card if they answer the math fact correctly or lose all their cards if a “POP” card is drawn.

Cards cover addition and subtraction facts to ten. Instructions include two levels of play and three game variations.

Includes 90 math-fact cards (1-10). For 2 – 4 players. Ages 6 years and up.

5. Math Dice Jr.

Math Dice Jr. for two or more players. This game aims to make math practice fun. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

6. Sum Swamp

Sum Swamp aims to develop and sharpen beginning math skills, as you add and subtract your way around the board.

Children ages 5 to 6 will find this game a learning challenge and older kids can play for fun. Sum Swamp is designed for 2 – 4 players.

The game is an Oppenheim Best Toy award winner. Players can venture over the crocodile shortcut and through the swamp to the finish by adding and subtracting numbers on the dice. The highest equation is 6+6=12, with two six-sided dice.

7. Shelby’s Snack Shack Game

Shelby the dog buried bones in the sand and needs help collecting them.

Kids take turns using the adorable Shelby Squeezers to fill their dog bowl with bones while they practice recognizing the numerals 1 to 5, counting, beginning addition and subtraction, pre-handwriting skills, social skills (such as taking turns and following directions), and simple strategic-thinking skills.

Designed for two to four players, ages 4 and up. This game is a 2013 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Winner!

8. Learning Resources Snap It Up! Math: Addition/Subtraction Card Game

Designed for two to six players, this game reinforces addition and subtraction skills up to the number 20. Includes 90 cards. Grades 1+

9. Bus Stop Board Game

Kids take a counter and throw the two dice to move around the board counting passengers on and off their big bright bus.

This game helps develop and reinforce addition and subtraction skills. Designed for two to four players, ages 4 – 8.

10 Great Low-Cost Board Games to Practice Reading Skills with Kids