By Michael Hartley
You've come to this site looking for really great math games and resources to help kids with math. So which ones are the best? It's hard to say, of course. Each person is different. At the same time, we've all got something in common. Stuff other people like, we also usually like.
So, if you want to find out the best games on this site, it makes sense to ask what other people like best. This page shows the most popular games on this site. When I say popular, I mean according to how many times people visit the game web page. There's a different page that shows which games people rate the most highly.
Some of the games and other resources on this list get popular because Google thinks it's good. Others are there because lots of people are searching for it. Some weeks a game that's normally missing from the list will pop up because of hits from some social network or social bookmarking site. In each of these cases, you can be sure that the game is a good one.
There are, of course, dozens of other great games and resources that don't make it onto this list. So be sure to spend some time as well exploring the site, starting with the menu in the sidebar.
And now for the list of the most popular games on this site over the past week!
Design and make your own Paper Polyhedra right in your web browser with this java applet. You can design beautiful symmetric shapes with an interactiove 3D view, then print out a plan to help you make a model of the shape out of cardboard or paper. Finally, you can share your net with your friends by email, facebook, or whatever, so they, too, can enjoy your masterpiece. Viewed 746 times...
Why not Find Your Name In Pi? When we write pi=3.14159.., we use our normal ten different digits, which we call 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. I converted pi to base 27, and called the digits <space>, A, B, C, ..., Z. That way, the digits of pi become a long list of letters. I've got 31 million base 27 digits, I've put them on my webserver, and I've made a search box for you to use! How soon does your name appear? Viewed 638 times...
This is the Online Traffic Jam Game. Traffic Jam Game is the famous game where you have to move the red car out of the traffic jammed parking lot. This free online version has hundreds of puzzles, as well as links to PC, Mac and Android versions you can buy. Viewed 559 times...
In the Magical Calculator Birthday Trick and the "Threes" Math Trick, one child gives a sequence of arithmetic instructions to another, then performs a few simple mental steps on the result. Almost like magic, the other's birthday (or another secret number) appears as the result of the sum! Good for fourth grade kids and up. Viewed 541 times...
I've made a dozen or so Hexagonal Graph Paper downloads. You can print out as many of these as you want, in various sizes, then use them as you wish. Perhaps color them with a pattern like the one shown, or make a game board for your favorite hex grid board game... let your imagination run wild! Viewed 532 times...
The Traffic Jam Game is one of my favorite amongst the elementary math games on this site. It's a great puzzle for teaching logical thinking and boosting problem-solving ability. Yet, the rules are simple enough that a four-year old can understand them. First, second and third grade kids will enjoy the simpler puzzles. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders will enjoy the challenge of the harder ones. Try the printable version or the online version. Viewed 518 times...
Use this Printable Sudoku Generator to create as many printable sudoku puzzles as you like, or download the ones I've already generated for you. You can choose the difficulty level, the number of puzzles to print, and whether or not to print the solutions. Viewed 448 times...
Do perform this Magic Number Spelling Card Trick, you need to get the special set of cards provided. Then, the trick is simple - a card is selected, the number on the card is spelled out and the cards are sorted into their two different colors. Then, work out the total of the numbers in each pile. The difference between the two piles is the number first drawn! The web page for the trick contains links to downloadable sets of cards, or places you can buy a full color set, and a link to a video demonstrating the trick. Try it out! Viewed 438 times...
An Advent Calendar, besides being a great Christmas tradition, helps teach younger kids counting and calendars in a fun, exciting way. Download and print this free advent calendar, make up up with a trimmer and glue, and enjoy the Christmas countdown with your child. Viewed 399 times...
These Common Denominator Worksheets provide plenty of opportunity to practice putting fractions over a common denominator. Each worksheet prints out onto one page, and there are 50 worksheets total. Viewed 363 times...Don't forget to browse around the rest of the site as well....
Yours, Dr Mike