Fun Ways to Practice Basic Facts

Stuck for ideas on how to use the basic facts flash cards? Here are some ideas to help you amp up the fun!

• Play with dice. Really. Toss the flash cards and practice adding and subtracting using the numbers you roll on dice.
• Flashlight maths: Use the flashcards and flip two cards at a time. Kids shine a flashlight on the one they know and answer that one. Simple. Don’t have a flashlight? Make a math wand. Bumblebee wand, perhaps? Use a stick or a light saber. Anything that works for your child. 
• Use electronics: My Math Flash Cards App (iPad) and Math Practice Flashcards (android) are two examples but there are about a gazillion flash card apps out there. If you have five minutes and your child asks, ‘Can I play a game on your phoooooone?’ Say ‘Why yes you may! I’m so very glad you asked. . . ‘ 
• Write the answer. Or paint the answer. Water on cement or chalk on the footpath or window crayon on a window. One person flashes the cards and the other person writes.
• Use playdough. Make the numbers (or make the number of shapes) and practice that way. 
• Maths bingo: Use the flashcards to play Maths Bingo as a way to learn and practice these numbers (templates for ALL kinds of bingo games can be found here). 
• Answer races: Stand on one side of the room and make your child run to the other side of the room to write the answer on a long piece of roll paper on the floor or taped to the wall. 
• Crazy talk: You flip the card and say it in one voice and the child says the answer in the same kind of voice (whisper, grumble, shout, squeaky, princess, etc.). 
• Skype or Facetime with family members and have them flash the cards and the kids say the answers. 
• Play Strike it Out to practice those facts and critical thinking. 
• Try Magic Triangles to really get the fun flowing. 
• Go nuts and try any one of these 3 hands-on math games. 

As in anything you do with kids, keep it light, keep the pressure off, and make it fun. As soon as your child starts reaching a frustration level, stop. 5-10 minutes a day is heaps!