Math Educational Games

Algebra is so intimidating and non-intuitive for many students that I felt the urge to look at available algebra board games that could help understand and practice equations or functions. So what are the algebra board games out there? I found 6 board & 4 bingo games meant for middle & high school children focusing on equations and functions. The Nasco Equation Math Matching Game is a simple solving and matching game. Mathonopoly hijacks Monopoly. Introduction To Functions and Algebra Skills are great board game enhanced math centers. Recommended Algebra Board Games Comparison Table To help you find the best game for your needs, I have put together a comparison table below. The meaning of the columns is as follows: Game Grade Players ForPriceRatingIntroduction to Functions6-92-4School$$$★★★★☆Algebra Skills6-92-4School$$$★★★★☆Shepherd7-102-6School$$$★★★☆☆Mathonopoly6‑112‑8Home, SchoolFree★★★★★Algebra Bingo (EAI)8‑122-36School$$★★★★☆Algebra Bingo (Nasco)8+2-30School$$★★★★☆Algebra Equations Bingo9+2-30School$$★★★★☆Pre-Algebra Bingo5-92-30School$$★★★★☆Equation Math Matching Game6‑121‑3Home, School$$★★★☆☆Factoring Math Matching Game6‑121-3Home, School$$★★★☆☆ Three Algebra Board Games Introduction to Functions (NewPath Learning) ★★★★☆ Age: 11-15 (Grades 6-9)Players: 2-4Target: Schools "Introduction to Functions" is a Middle School learning center that introduces students to functions through a board game. The aim is to reach the finish line first while gathering as many points as possible. To play, students first need to review and complete the Learning Guide individually. After this, they gather in groups of 2-4 players to play the Curriculum Mastery Board Game. Students move their token the board's track and answer equations from the cards drawn. If they answer correctly, they may get bonuses, such as moving ahead a few more spaces. Answering incorrectly, on the other hand, can knock them back a few spaces. The game is structured to allow groups of students to play autonomously. Each copy of the game comes with a laminated game board, 30 illustrated question cards, four learning guides, and a teacher's guide. Algebra Skills (NewPath Learning) ★★★★☆ Age: 11-15 (Grades 6-9)Players: 2-4Target: Schools A similar game is the Middle School Learning Center: Algebra Skills, where students focus on building foundational algebra and equation solving skills. Both are fantastic resources for the classroom. Although they feel a bit closer to lessons than actual games, they do offer versatile and structured play for students. Shepherd (Coool Toool) ★★★☆☆ Age: 12-16 (Grades 7-10)Players: 2-6Duration: 45 minutes Target: Schools Shepherd is a mathematics board game that teaches the coordinate plane, the linear function. Each player gets 5 dogs and 4 function graphs cards. Players make their moves using different available function graph cards. They move dogs on a game board to herd sheep following 3 possible strategies (rectangle, triangle and straight line). When all the sheep are herded, players count victory points and determine the winner. The rules are rather complex, and require close examination to master. Note that the board is huge once unfolded, which explains the price of the game (although the game pieces are small and very basic). Printable Algebra Board Games Mathonopoly - Solving Equations [FREE] ★★★★★ Author: dannytherefAge: 11-16 (Grades 6-11)Players: 2-8 Target: Home, School Mathonopoly - Solving Equations is a variation of Monopoly that aims to develop equation solving skills. This free downloadable resource gives you cards that you use to modify a standard Monopoly board. It comes with replacement tiles for all of the regular street names, as well as sixteen Chance cards and sixteen Community Chest cards. Instead of collecting money and properties, players earn points by solving equations. The higher the value of the "property," the harder the equation and the more points students can earn. The student who finishes with the most points wins the game. One of the key advantages of this resource is that the cards can very easily be modified. Parents or teachers can tweak or add cards of their own to make the game easier or harder. Overall, this is an excellent resource for making equation solving more fun and accessible for students, both in the classroom and at home. Four Algebra Bingo Games Algebra Bingo (EAI Education) ★★★★☆ Age: 13-17 (Grades 8-12) Players: Up to 36 Target: School This variation of bingo aims to reinforce foundational algebra skills. It also focuses on improving the following core standard skills: Interpreting and solving equations. Interpreting and rewriting expressions (including terms, coefficients, and factors).Transforming expressions for exponential functions by using the properties of exponents. Performing arithmetic operations on polynomials. Solving rational and radical equations and providing examples of additional solutions. In this variation of bingo, the teacher reads out equations to the class from one of the 60 calling cards. Students must then solve the equation and find the answer on their bingo sheet. As in standard bingo, the first student to mark all of the sections on their bingo sheet wins. The game comes with 36 numbered bingo cards and 60 calling cards. It also comes with a quick reference chart for teachers, and a bingo board reference key. All in all, Algebra Bingo is a helpful teaching resource for engaging the entire classroom and reinforcing foundational algebra skills. Algebra Bingo (Nasco) ★★★★☆ Age: 13+ (Grades 8+)Players: Up to 30 playersTarget: School In this variation of bingo, students are encouraged to build on the following foundational algebra skills: Solving linear equationsSlopeFactoringRemoving parenthesesSolving word problems Just like EAI Education's Algebra Bingo, the teacher reads an equation from one of the calling cards. Students must then solve the equation and find the answer on their bingo board. The student or small group that fills their board first is the winner. Nasco Algebra Bingo includes 50 calling cards, 30 bingo boards, a master answer list, and plastic markers for students to keep track of their answers. Nasco proposes 2 other similar algebra bingo games: Algebra Equations Bingo (Nasco) ★★★★☆ Nasco Algebra Equations Bingo - For ages 14+ (Grade 9+). This game aims to improve speed and confidence in solving equations. Pre-Algebra Bingo (Nasco) ★★★★☆ Nasco Pre-Algebra Bingo - For ages 10-14 (Grades 5-8). This version of the game covers decimals, fractions, operations with whole integers, evaluating open expressions, and solving linear equations. These are all fantastic resources for making algebra more fun. Working with algebra in this way encourages students to solve equations faster and can provide an excellent opportunity for students to work together if paired in small groups. Two Algebra Puzzle Games Equation Math Matching Game (Nasco) ★★★☆☆ Author: Emily J. Cajigas (The Arithemachick)Age: 11-18 (Grades 6-12)Players: 1-3 In this simple puzzle game, students build a 4x4 grid by solving equations. Each student or small group receives a puzzle card, which features two algebraic equations. The students pick which equation they want to solve and find the matching answer on one of the other tiles. They then place the tile adjacent to the equation. If students complete the grid correctly, the completed puzzle board reveals a short saying. This game will help students to build on the following core standard skills: Using and understanding mathematical expressions Using formulas to solve problemsOperations The way the game is structured allows students to play alone or in groups, depending on the needs of the parents or teachers. It provides equations with various levels of difficulty that have the same solution, allowing you to adjust the game to the student's skill level. Each copy of the game comes with three sets of five double-sided grids and an instruction sheet. Factoring Math Matching Game (Nasco) ★★★☆☆ Another similar game, Nasco Factoring Math Matching Game, allows students to build on factoring skills while still handling algebraic expressions and operations. Overall, this is a simple but fun concept that will help to challenge students.