Simple numbers games

Another approach is to play close to your opponent and force them to complete three in a row on either side, like this:. Regardless of how you play, one fact is mathematically certain: After six moves, someone has to have won. And we can extend this further.

This means you lose if you make , as in the original game, but also if you make three in a row of step size 2 or step size 3. Crossing out 1 creates ; 2 makes ; 4 makes ; 6 makes ; and 7 makes As a result, this game is much more complicated than the original.

For mathematicians, the real fun is in turning a simple game about numbers into a game against math itself. Their goal is to figure out how long you can play this game before someone has to lose, on a game board of any size. In other words, given a list of numbers of any length, how many numbers can you cross out before your list must contain an arithmetic progression? And we know even less about other variations of this game.

So the upper bound is really just the biggest possible Salem-Spencer subset of our game board. But finding the right moves to get there can be tricky. Just as in our original game, we have to worry about completing a progression in between or on either side of two already selected numbers.

Things are about to get complicated. We still have the same concerns — completing a progression between or on either side of two already selected numbers — but there are many more progressions to keep track of. Now we have to worry about making a progression with three existing pairs of crossed-out numbers. On the one hand, we have a good idea of what to expect. For each pair, we need to avoid moves that make a progression in the middle or on either end. The 3 and 5 eliminate three of our options: 1, 4, and 7.

And the 5 and 8 only eliminate 2, since neither 6. So we know that each choice we make will eliminate some future options, but just how many varies depending on what we pick. This irregularity makes it difficult to count all the possibilities and determine an upper bound for all possible game boards.

From there, as your students learn and improve you can expand the length of the numerical rotation to 20, 30 and so on. It can integrate both a review of numbers and a test of the new vocabulary. For the first round, get the class standing and have them go around, counting in sequence to You then do another round through to 21, with students being required to remember which word stands in for which number as they go. When someone trips up they take a seat, and the last one standing wins.

Of course, not all number games are ideal for warm-ups, as they take too long to complete. This is best done at the end of your main numbers module with your ESL learners.

You can either have the whole class play the same game or set up stations and allow kids to move through the room, trying new games and practicing their numbers. While the last two games were more on the warm-up side of things, the following games are more involved and time consuming. Keep them in mind for games day! Bingo is particularly fun to play when you designate a student or several to be the number callers.

Whoever gets a line of numbers matched first wins. The goal is for the association between the word and the number to become automatic. As students become more advanced, you may want the bingo balls or cards you draw to have simple arithmetic problems on them. This should only be done for advanced students, as it adds quite a bit of complexity and previously acquired knowledge to the game.

Everyone remembers Go Fish from their grammar school days. Start with the easier ones and, as your toddler is ready, try more challenging activities. Some of these might be more suitable for preschoolers. If at any time your child seems frustrated, stop and try an easier number activity on another day. The goal of these games is to create a fun, playful experience.

Listen and Spray Counting Game — Write numbers on the sidewalk and have the child listen for how many claps and then spray that number with water. Fantastic Fun and Learning. Counting and Color Sorting Activity — Print out the free color cards and write a number on each one. Children can sort small objects by color and then put the number of objects on the card that matches the number. Powerful Mothering. Planning Playtime. Count the Coins — A simple counting activity with a free printable.

Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds. Magnetic Fishing Number Game — Toddlers will have fun singing, counting, and ordering numbers as they catch the fish. Messy Little Monster. Counting Caterpillar Busy Bag — The main goal of this activity is counting, but it also works on number recognition and word reinforcement. Comes with free printable cards. Smack the Number — Have your children line up foam numbers and smack the one that you call, using a flyswatter.

Sunny Day Family. Playdough Cupcakes Counting Activity — How many candles go on each cupcake? A fun way to work on simple counting skills! It teaches number recognition while the the children are also moving.

Buggy and Buddy. Fun Learning for Kids. Red Ted Art.