Showing kids everyday ways to practice math can give them more confidence in school and help them learn new real-life concepts. Consider these simple ways to help kids practice math over break.
Creative Ways to Help Kids Practice Math Skills Outside of School
You don’t necessarily need drill work or workbooks to help your kids practice math. The following practical math ideas can help them practice their math skills and learn new ones.
Go Shopping Together
Take your kids shopping and encourage them to calculate the cost of buying groceries. They will get plenty of review time on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and estimating. You can have them work it out in their head or on a small notepad, or allow them to bring a calculator to become proficient in using this important device.
Build Something
Building is a great activity for active kids who often don’t enjoy sitting down to do math review worksheets. You can build something large such as a tree house or dog house, or start with small building projects, such as a toy boat or bird feeder. Building helps kids practice measuring with a ruler or tape measure and teaches the importance of accuracy. Measure twice, cut once!
Bake
Baking is great fun and you get a tasty reward when it’s done. Your homemade baked goods are likely far healthier than many store-bought treats. Choose a recipe with your kids and have them help you measure the ingredients and pour them into the bowl. Younger children can stick to reviewing basic measurements such as teaspoons, tablespoons, half cups, quarter cups, and thirds of a cup. Older children from grades 3 and up can practice multiplying or dividing ingredient measurements so the recipe is the right size for your family.
Make Money
Older kids (grades 3 and up) may have opportunities to make some pocket money over the summer. They can do this by selling items they no longer need at a garage sale or flea market, setting up a lemonade stand or bake sale, or signing up for a paper route. Encourage them to divide their earnings into money that can be spent immediately and money saved towards a specific goal. Your kids will quickly learn to calculate their earnings. They will also learn self-discipline and the importance of setting goals.
Practical math activities can help you spend time with your child doing something that is both fun and educational. Kids will become more proficient in math as they use it in everyday ways, which can ultimately help boost their grades when they return to school later in the year.
More Learning Activities & Ideas
If you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration to keep kids learning through the break, check out the Inspiration and Planning topic page to see what’s new. You’ll find activity suggestions and much more. Then visit our online store to find all the tools and supplies you need to make learning come alive!
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