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homeschool math

Free First Grade Math Games & Printable Ice Cream Math

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I have some free first grade math games. Too, I have a free printable addition and subtraction cut and paste ice cream printable.

Teaching first grade math is about helping your child strengthen basic math skills.

It’s about repeating and interacting counting, place value, word problems, learning about time and money among other skills.

Free First Grade Math Games & Printable Ice Cream Math

However, because addition and subtraction are two of the basic 4 operations, you need to constantly review.

One of the best ways to review is through games.

For example, a number line is pretty easy to make at home with tape and index cards. By physically using their body to hop to the next number, a child visually sees addition and subtraction.

For addition, a child hops forward and for subtraction they hop backwards. They are learning to count back and count up and how a number line works.

That is just one example of an easy game to teach first grade math.

LIVING BOOKS ABOUT ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION FOR KIDS

Next, another way to give kids a break but to have interacting with numbers is through story telling.

Look at these math living books about addition and subtraction.

8+ Living Math Books About Counting, Addition and Subtraction

A living book or story brings math to life. Books like these have a way of explaining math concepts in a story form so young children understand them. Add one or two to your library.

Then, look at these other first grade math games.

FIRST GRADE MATH GAMES

Free First Grade Math Games & Printable Ice Cream Math

Finally, look at this free printable ice cream addition and subtraction.

HOW TO GET THE FREE ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION ICE CREAM PRINTABLE

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

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Creative Time Telling Activities And Free Worksheets For Young Learners

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I have some creative time telling activities to share and free time telling worksheets.

Teaching time telling is a gradual process.

In the formative years, introduce your child to fun clocks so they understand its associated with time.

For example, point out the two types of hand. One is a long hand and the other is a short hand.

Too, some kids don’t understand what we mean by hand. I had a few of mine looking for actual hands.

Creative Time Telling Activities And Free Worksheets For Young Learners

So, it’s important for them to know that is what we call the long and short arrows.

Gradually, as your kids move from kindergarten to second grade, introduce more detailed concepts.

For example, illustrate how long a second is. I always had my sons blink their eyes.

Next, illustrate a minute. Since I had boys, everything related to running and moving.

A couple of mine wanted to run so we did that.

Last illustrate an hour by timing a cobbler, reading time or lunch time. This gradual process makes this part of math fun.

HOW TO TELL TIME BOOKS AND RESOURCES

Also, look at some of these time telling books and resources to add to your day.

9 Time Telling Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these resources to your day for telling time.Your kids will love hands-on games and ideas.

Then move into concepts harder to grasp.

I don’t believe in kids being ready at exact grade levels, I believe as they’re ready teach them the next concept.

Grade levels are just to give you a goal to aim for.

CONCEPTS TO TEACH FOR TIME TELLING

After you teach the basics, look at some of these concepts to teach.

  • Teach what o’clock means
  • Also, half past the hour and explain the minute hand is on 6. They need to know it half of an hour.
  • Move on to quarter past the hours.
  • And quarter to. So quarter past and quarter to are easier to explain by a hand held clock. I showed you how to make one below.
  • Compare analog and digital time.
  • Explain what is digital time and how to read it.
  • Before you do this go over counting by 5s. If a child struggles with skip counting, time telling will be difficult.
  • Then move on to a.m. and p.m.

HANDS-ON TIME TELLING ACTIVITIES

Next, look at these hands-on math activities for learning to tell time.

Creative Time Telling Activities And Free Worksheets For Young Learners

Finally, look at how to grab the free time telling worksheets.

HOW TO GET THE FREE TIME TELLING WORKSHEETS

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities

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We’re teaching addition for kindergarten by grabbing a handful of dice and spending just a few minutes a day playing games. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

Simple kindergarten math lays the foundation for essential mathematical concepts which children will build upon throughout their lives.

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities

You don’t need a curriculum for math at this level.

There are some key concepts for a child to learn that they can do with just a handful of items and a few minutes playing with you every day.

Besides you want to teach math in an interactive way and make learning a game.

KINDERGARTEN MATH GAMES

First, look at some of these other fun math games for kindergarten.

Add one or two your learning day.

7 Kindergarten Math Games & Resources

Add some of these fun kindergarten math games and resources for hands-on math.

Next, look at these math concepts.

You start teaching them in kindergarten but are also covered in several grades afterwards. So, focus on introduction at this level.

BASIC KINDERGARTEN MATH CONCEPTS

  • Counting to 100.
  • Using strategies like counting on, counting back, and using number lines to solve problems.
  • Skip counting by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s.
  • Counting objects in a set.
  • Representing numbers with objects, tally marks, and numerals.
  • Understanding the concept of “more than,” “less than,” and “equal to.”
  • Recognizing Numbers 0-10.
  • Associating numbers with quantities.
  • Recognizing and writing numbers 0-10 from memory.
  • Ordering Numbers -Placing numbers 0-10 in order from least to greatest and greatest to least.
  • Understanding the concept of ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.).
  • Comparing two numbers 0-10 to determine which is greater or less.
  • Using symbols (<, >, =) to represent comparisons.
  • Addition and Subtraction within 10-Solving simple addition and subtraction problems using objects, pictures, and number sentences.
  • Understanding the concept of “part-part-whole” relationships.
Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities

Of course you will also introduce your child to coin recognition, simple measurement, and other math.

But today we are focusing on concepts like subtraction and addition for kindergarten

With a jar full of dice, some manipulatives like little crackers, pompoms, or coins, and some paper and markers you can teach your child many of these important concepts.

Too, you only need to spend about 15-20 minutes a day ‘playing’ games.

MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

ADDITION FOR KINDERGARTEN GAMES

First, I like to have a combination of dice with dots as well as those using numbers to practice with.

Then, these glow in the dark ones would also be super fun!

You could use these oversized dry erase dice for any of the games below and customize the numbers for whatever you are working on.

  1. Add it Up- Simply roll two dice and add the numbers together. Once this is mastered you can move on to more than, less than, and equal to. You could also have them practice subtraction this way.

Skills learned: Number recognition, writing or mental math

  1. Math Bingo- Use 1×1” grid paper and trace a 5×5 box, make the center square free. In the rest of the boxes write random numbers from 1-12. Give your child two dice and something small to cover the numbers. They roll both dice and either cover the number on each dice or add them together to get a higher number and cover that. They keep rolling until they get a bingo.

            Skills learned: Number recognition, addition.

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  1. Dice War- Each person gets 5 dice and each rolls one at a time,the higher number wins, the winner takes both dice and they are added to their pile until someone has all the dice.  In the event the same number is rolled just roll again until there is a winner. Once your child has mastered this you can have them tell you the total of the two

MATH ADDITION FOR KINDERGARTEN

            Skills learned: Number recognition, addition, comparing, more and less.

  1. Race to 20– Write the numbers 1-20 on 1”x1” graph paper and have your child roll one die, they then begin at one and count on using a manipulative to cover that number. For example, the first roll is a 6 they cover to that, the next is a 4 they cover the next 4 (which would be up to 10) and continue until they have added numbers up to 20.

            Skills learned: Number recognition, adding, counting on.

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  1. Fill The Cup: Provide your child with a cup, pom poms, and one or two dice. Have them roll and add the matching number of pom poms to the cup. They continue until the cup is full. You can let them add one at a time or make them add the two together first.

           Skills learned: Number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, quantity.

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  1. Roll It Write It: Have your child roll one die and then write the number as many times as you would like them to practice on wide paper. For children just beginning to write you may want to write with a highlighter and let them trace it with pencil.

           Skills learned: Recognizing and writing numbers.

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  1. Odd or Even: Have your child roll the dice and tell you if their number is odd or even.

            Skills learned: Number recognition, odd/even.

Math Made Easy: Engaging Addition For Kindergarten Dice Activities
  1. Stack it Up-Have your child practice stacking numbers 1-5 in order of greatest to least and least to greatest.  An alternative play to this is giving them a handful of dice and having them sort and stack all odd or all even numbers.

Skills learned: Number recognition, order.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

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A kindergarten math game is the best way to teach your child basic math concepts. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

Your child has fun and that helps him retain what he’s learning.

I took an old school favorite and moved it from a deck of cards to one of our favorite craft supplies, wooden popsicle sticks.

 It is just fun and unique, making a ho-hum game a little bit more exciting.

Gameschooling is a fantastic idea, especially for younger children.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

And it is a great way to introduce the simplest math concepts.

At the kindergarten level typically kid start learning number recognition,

Additionally, they learn counting, addition and subtraction, shapes, patterns, comparing, time, months of the year, and the days of the week.

While it may seem very basic, this game really teaches a lot of great skills to young children.

Not only is it good for math but this simple game has many other benefits that help develop strong minds.

Why Go Fish Makes a Great Kindergarten Math Game

Provides a sense of accomplishment to little learners.

When kids successfully collect pairs, they feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.

This game is just plain fun!

Go Fish is an engaging game that kids of all ages enjoy playing and even adults can have fun with this one.

Teaches basic math skills. Go Fish helps kids practice basic math skills like number recognition.

Develops memory skills. Kids have to remember which cards they have and which cards they need to ask for.

Encourages social interaction. It teaches kids to learn how to take turns, follow rules, and interact with others.

Promotes language development. Kids can practice their communication skills by asking for cards and describing the cards they have.

Holding onto the cards or in this case, sticks helps to develop fine motor skills.

Math Resources for Kindergarten

Also, look at these fun hands-on resources and games for learning about math.

7 Kindergarten Math Games & Resources

Add some of these fun kindergarten math games and resources for hands-on math.

Don’t forget that you can also use dice or playing cards for many math practice games as well.

MORE KINDERGARTEN HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

Craft Stick Go Fish Kindergarten Math Game

Play is just like the classic go fish game with cards but using numbered craft sticks instead.

If you need a refresher, I included basic instructions at the bottom to fit the sticks better.

Besides the basic go fish game, kids can use these numbered craft sticks as an interactive number line, or to add and subtract simple numbers.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

Put a pair of each number face down on the table and mix them up to use for a classic memory game.

(Heads up. All of my games and hands-on ideas are tried and tested on littles. Guaranteed to have fun AND learn.)

You will need:

  • 40-80 Jumbo craft sticks
  • Paint markers
How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

First, write each number on the top of 4 craft sticks, be sure to write it clearly. 

Add dots to match the number to help kids that don’t quite recognize all their numbers yet.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

If you want to let your child have a little more involvement you can let them paint or draw on the backside of the sticks to add their own touch.

Let the paint dry completely then add all the sticks, numbers down, into a container that cannot be seen through.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

How to Play:

Each person grabs 6 random sticks from the container and lays down any matches that they pick up.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

Take turns asking one another for numbers you need, if you have it, hand it over, and the new match is laid down in front of the player.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

Otherwise tell them to “go fish”, they then draw one more stick.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

Continue until someone runs out of sticks and then have your child count how many pairs they have, the one with the most pairs is the winner.

How to Create a Kindergarten Math Game With Popsicle Sticks

Replace all sticks, mix them up, and go again!

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This hands-on time activity is a creative and engaging way for kids of all ages to learn about telling time.

It’s also a great way to encourage their creativity and fine motor skills.

Let kids take the initiative to be part of the learning process right from the start.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

For example, they can paint, cut and write on their own learning manipulative.

This gives them ownership in it and helps them to better retain the lessons they learn.

Whether it is for preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary, this clock will work to teach time to the hour, minute, quarter, and half hours.

First, look at some of these fun books and manipulatives.

Books About Telling Time for Kids

I love to use living books when I can find them, then I like to add games or reference books when we study a topic like this.

9 Time Telling Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Add some of these resources to your day for telling time.Your kids will love hands-on games and ideas.

Then look at some of these teaching tips about telling time.

Tips for Teaching Telling Time

To teach young children to tell time you want to…

Start with the basics- Explain the concepts of hours, minutes, and seconds.

You can use a clock with movable hands to demonstrate how they work like our paper plate clock activity.

Introduce the clock face– Show your child how to find the numbers 1-12 on the clock face.

And explain that each number represents an hour.

Teach your child to tell the hour- Start by pointing to the hour hand and asking your child what number it is pointing to.

Then, say the time out loud, for example, “It is 1 o’clock.”

Move on to minutes- Once your child understands how to tell the hour, you can start teaching them about minutes.

Explain that there are 60 minutes in an hour and that the minute hand moves around the clock face once every hour.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Hands on time activities in particular are the best way for kids to learn to tell time so besides the cool paper plate clock I have to show you today I have seven more hands on time activities.

More Hands-on Time Activities

You have to check out these interactive Free Printable Time Telling Puzzles, be sure to laminate them to make them last.

Play this fun Rush Hour Game – How to TEACH Kids How to Tell Time! and your kids won’t even realize they are learning.

Here you will find 7 Time-Telling Fun Hands-On Time Activities and a Simple Watch Craft that your preschooler can wear all day as they learn.

Telling Time Activity With Free Playdough Mats

For an activity that helps teach time and also the history of how early peoples kept time you can learn how to Make A Rock Sundial and 20 other fun activities to boot!

Time to Match ‘Em Up is a great matching activity using something that I am pretty sure most of us already have in our home.

How to Make a Paper Plate Clock

Make it colorful and child made, and it will be instantly more interesting to your little learner

You will need:

  • Paper plate
  • brad/paper fastener
  • Cardstock
  • markers
  • Craft paint
  • paintbrush
Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

First, flip the plate upside down and have your child paint it whatever color or colors that they like.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Set the plate aside and let it dry completely.

While you are waiting, use cardstock to cut out two hands.

Cut one slightly shorter than the distance from the center of the plate to the numbers and the other about 1” shorter.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Make holes at one end of the clock hands and push the brad through.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

When the plate is dry use a marker to draw on your numbers one through 1-12.

Then use a different color to mark lines to be the minutes in between.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Poke a hole in the center with scissors or a sharp knife and push the brad with the hands through the center of the plate and open the prongs.

Tick-Tock! How to Make a Hands-on Time Cool Paper Plate Clock

Tips:

For younger children, start with a simpler clock face using only the numbers 12, 3, 6, and 9.

To make the activity more challenging, have kids create a clock face with both analog and digital time.

Let each child paint different colored paper plates to personalize their clocks.

Encourage kids to create their own clock designs and decorations, fostering their creativity and imagination.

If your child is old enough to write, pencil the numbers in lightly and let them write over the pencil with a marker to practice writing and help them better retain where the numbers go.

To Play:

Have your child hold the paper plate clock in front of them.

Tell them what time it is, and have them move the string so that the brad points to the correct time.

Move the hands yourself and ask them to give the time.

Call out a time of day and have your child move the hands to match.

Encourage them to practice telling time with their paper plate clock throughout the day.