The Best Math Games for Your Homeschool

Let’s be real—math can be one of the most challenging subjects to teach and learn in a homeschool setting. It often brings frustration, tears, and battles over worksheets. But what if I told you that play could change everything?

Before we ever started homeschooling, games were already woven into our family culture. Game nights, card matches, dice rolling—we loved the connection and the fun. But back then, I didn’t see games as educational. They were just something we did for fun.

That all changed the year Emily hit a wall with her math facts.

The Moment Games Became Essential in Our Homeschool

We were stuck. No matter what I tried—flashcards, apps, drills—nothing was working. Emily simply couldn’t retain her math facts. It was like they would go in one ear and fall right back out.

Frustrated and burnt out, my husband suggested we pause formal lessons and just enjoy the holidays together. So from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, we hit pause on “school” and played games—a lot of games.

One game we played on repeat was Yahtzee (my husband’s favorite). We didn’t think much of it at the time—it was just fun. But when January rolled around and we eased back into lessons, something amazing happened…

Emily knew her math facts. Not just the basics—but more advanced problems like 6 + 6 + 6 = 18. And the lightbulb clicked for me: games are learning.

That was the day I fully embraced gameschooling—and math has never been the same in our homeschool since.

Why Math Games Work (Even When Workbooks Don’t)

Math games aren’t just fun—they’re incredibly effective.

Here’s why:

  • They provide hands-on practice with important math skills
  • They strengthen critical thinking and mental math
  • They encourage risk-taking in a low-pressure way
  • They make repetition feel like play, not work
  • They build family connection through cooperative or competitive play
  • They help kinesthetic learners thrive with movement and action

And if your child has ever cried over a worksheet but begged to play just one more round of Sum Swamp—you get it.

Math Games by Concept

To help you get started or find your next favorite, I’ve broken down our most-loved math games by topic and skill. There’s something here for every age, level, and learning style.

Number & Counting Games (Perfect for Preschool & Early Elementary)

These games help young learners build number recognition, counting skills, and one-to-one correspondence in a playful, hands-on way. Great for introducing early math concepts in a low-pressure environment.

 LogicRoots Feed My Pet Math Games ThinkFun Zingo 1-2-3 Number Bingo Game Number Slap Jack – a Fun Educational Insights Shelby’s Snack Shack Counting Peaceable Kingdom Count Your Chickens Award Numbers Bingo Game Spot It! 123 Briarpatch The World of Eric Carle

Color, Shape, & Pattern Recognition Games

Before kids are ready for equations, they need a strong foundation in visual discrimination and categorization. These games strengthen early math thinking through sorting, matching, and pattern recognition.

 Colors And Shapes Bingo, For Ages Hasbro Gaming Perfection Game, Multicolor ThinkFun Shape by Shape Creative Pattern Mindware Qwirkle Board Game Educational Insights Frankie’s Food Truck Fiasco Educational Insights Brownie Match Game Learning Resources Ed in Sneaky Snacky Educational Insights Hoppy Floppy’s Happy Hunt Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot – Educational Insights Sophie’s Seashell Scramble Educational Insights Koala Capers Card Game Educational Insights Raccoon Rumpus Game, Dice

Addition & Subtraction Games

Once your child is ready for basic operations, these games make practicing addition and subtraction more fun and interactive. They’re perfect for building fluency and making mental math feel like a game.

 School Zone – Math War Addition ThinkFun Math Dice Junior Game for Addition and Subtraction Bingo Board Games Sums in Space – an Addition Learning Resources Pop For Addition & Learning Resources Sum Swamp Game, Homeschool, Melon Rind Clumsy Thief in The Melon Rind Clumsy Thief Junior Math Learning Resources I Sea 10! Game, Logic Roots Ocean Raiders Math Addition Learning Resources tri-FACTa Addition and Subtraction Learning Resources Snap It Up! Math: CLOUD HOPPER Addition Subtraction STEM game Learning Resources Head Full Of Numbers, Learning Resources High Seas ADDventure Addition Race to Planet X: Number Bond

Multiplication & Division Games

Multiplication and division can feel intimidating at first—but these engaging games take the pressure off and offer repeated practice in a way that builds confidence and speed.

 Junior Learning Multiplication Dominoes Educational Action Multiplication & Division Bingo Game Logic Roots Multiplication Games for Kids, Learning Resources tri-FACTa Multiplication & Division ThinkFun Math Dice Chase – The School Zone – Math War Multiplication STEM game PET ME for Multiplication SiEque™ Cool Math Games for Kids Carson-Dellosa Multiplication & Division Bingo Board SAY Cheese – Math Board Game Logic Roots Big Catch Advanced Division Dragon Times – A Math Adventure

Place Value Games

Understanding place value is key to grasping larger math concepts like regrouping and decimals. These games give kids the hands-on experience they need to make sense of tens, hundreds, and beyond.

 Learning Resources Dino Math Tracks Game, Place Value Bingo Game Junior Learning Place Value Dominoes Educational Place Value Safari: Discovering Ones, Tens,

Telling Time Games

Learning to tell time isn’t always intuitive, but these games make it easier with visual aids, movement, and real-world scenarios that bring clocks to life.

 eeBoo Time Telling Clock Game for Telling Time Bingo Game Junior Learning Time Dominoes Educational Action Perfect Timing Game

Money & Consumer Math Games

From identifying coins to making change, these games teach practical money skills that kids will use in everyday life. Bonus: they also reinforce value comparison and basic addition.

 Learning Resources Money Bags Coin Value Learning Resources Buy It Right Shopping Winning Moves Games Pay Day, The Exact Change Card Game – Educational Money Bingo Game Grandpa Beck’s Cover Your Assets Card Monopoly Classic Game Learning Advantage Sale – Consumer Math

Fraction Games

Fractions can be tricky to visualize, which is why these games use pizza slices, pies, and number lines to make part-whole relationships easier to grasp—and fun to explore.

 Fraction Fortress Board Games Learning Resources Pizza Fraction Fun Game, Fractions Bingo Game Logic Roots Froggy Fractions Math Games eeBoo Make a Pie Spinner Board Learning Advantage Fraction City – Math Educational Insights Fraction Formula Game Junior Learning Fraction Dominoes Educational Action

You can shop all our favorite math games here, including travel-friendly options, games for every grade level, and teacher-recommended resources.

Ready to Make Math Fun Again?

Math doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right game, your child can laugh, play, and learn all at once—and maybe even forget they’re “doing math” at all.

Whether your child loves numbers or avoids math like the plague, there’s a game out there that can change their perspective.

What’s your favorite math game? Let me know in the comments—I love discovering new ones!