• Learning Platform
• /
• Blog
• /
• 40 Best Kindergarten Math Games

40 Best Kindergarten Math Games

Finding the best kindergarten math games doesn’t have to be a chore. In this article, you can find a curated list of 40 math games for kindergarten kids. Whether you are a teacher or a parent, this guide covers everything from counting and shapes to basic addition, and can help you turn learning math into a daily highlight for every little learner!

Key Points:

• Math games can turn confusing numbers into concrete concepts that kindergarten kids can understand and remember. 
• Even everyday household items like buttons, dice, and dominoes can become great ways to teach kids math with just a bit of creativity.
• Combine games with more deep practice, like worksheets, for a better effect and for the learning to stick.

Fun math games for kindergarten

• Number puzzles
• Missing number mystery
• Addition war with Uno cards
• Subtraction bowling
• Number memory match
• Roll it and color it

Number puzzles

Skill: Number recognition and sequencing

To play, pick out puzzles where each piece features a digit and a matching number of objects. Some good options are colorful dots or tiny butterflies. Mix the pieces. Then, ask the kid to find the numbers first. Once they are ready, ask them to match numbers to other parts to complete the set. This game will suit visual learners well and also help develop fine motor skills.

 

Missing number mystery

Skill: Numerical order and logic

This kindergarten math game is a classic brain-teaser for little detectives. Lay out a sequence of number cards, like 1 through 10, and have the child close their eyes while you “steal” one from the row. Close up the gap so it looks normal, then have them open their eyes and guess which mystery number is missing from the group.

Addition war with Uno cards

Skill: Mental addition and comparing values

For this game, take a deck of Uno cards and deal them evenly between two players, face down. Both kids flip over two cards simultaneously and add the numbers together as fast as they can. The player with the highest sum shouts the answer and collects all four cards. If the sums are equal, it is “War,” and they get to flip two more cards to determine the winner.

Subtraction bowling

Skill: Basic subtraction

Another kindergarten number game is kindergarten bowling. Set up ten empty plastic bottles or pins in a triangle formation at the end of a hallway. Have each child roll a ball to knock down as many bottles as possible. Then, help them count the original ten pins and all the ones that were knocked over. Subtract the fallen pins from the original ten to see how many are left standing. 

Number memory match

Skill: Instant recognition and quantity association

Next up in the list is number memory match. You need to create a set of cards where half show a digit and half show dots, then lay them face down in the playground. Kids take turns flipping two cards to find a numeral and its matching quantity. If they match, they keep them! If not, they need to flip them back and try to remember where they are.

Roll it and color it

Skill: Dice subitizing and number identification

This is a perfect low-stress game for quiet time in the classroom. For this game, you need to grab a worksheet with various numbered shapes and have the child roll a die. They identify the number on top, find the matching digit on the page, and color that section in. They can keep rolling until the whole picture is a colorful masterpiece. You can also go higher than 6 by using a pair of dice instead of just one.

Math program

Unlock your child’s math potential through 1-on-1 lessons!

Our expert tutors will turn learning into an adventure, filled with fun games.

Book free lesson

Kindergarten number games

• Musical chairs math edition
• Math twister
• Tower race
• Number jump line
• Measure objects

Musical chairs math edition

Skill: Number recognition and quick recall

This game puts a math twist on a party favorite! To play it, tape different numbers onto the seats of the chairs before starting the music. When the music stops, and everyone finds a seat, each child has to shout out the number they are sitting on to stay in the game.

Math twister

Skill: Shape and number identification

Give your Twister mat a mathematical makeover by taping numbers or shapes onto the colored circles. Instead of calling out colors, you then shout commands like “right hand on square!” or “left foot on number 5!” This game is a fantastic way for preschool kids to practice their geometry and number skills while also working on their balance and coordination.

Tower race

Skill: Counting

In this kindergarten number game, each kid takes turns rolling a die and identifying the number shown. They then add that exact number of LEGOs or blocks to their personal tower. The first player who reaches a specific height, like 25 blocks or just the edge of the table, wins the game. 

Number line jump

Skill: Number order and spatial awareness

For this game, create a giant number line on the floor with numbered cards from 0 to 10 (or more, if you feel like it). Then, have the kid stand at zero and call out a number for them to jump to. As they get better, you can give more complex directions like “jump two spaces forward” or “jump back to the number four.” It’s a great game to play if you want to help kids understand numbers and place value.

Measure objects

Skill: Comparison and basic measurement

Next up in the list of kindergarten math games is a more practical one. Hand over measuring tapes or rulers and let the little explorers find out how big their world is. Ask them to find three objects, like a toy car, a book, and a shoe, and measure them. You can also organize the activity in groups. Kids can compare the lengths to see which is the longest or shortest. With this game, you can introduce them to the concept of units.

Counting games for kindergarten 

• Counting high-fives
• Button sorting
• The estimating jar
• Skip-counting store
• Rubber duck race
• Skip-count craft sticks
• Counting worksheets

Counting high-fives

Skill: Rote counting and identifying number patterns

This active counting game is perfect if you are looking to organize an active learning process and help kids feel the rhythm of numbers. Start counting aloud from one to twenty, but tell the kids to give a big double high-five with their partner every time you reach a multiple of five (5, 10, 15, 20). This turns a basic counting drill into a fun play that also helps kids recognize the landmarks in a sequence.

Button sorting

Skill: Categorization and counting

Hand over a big jar of mismatched buttons and let the kids get to work! First, have them sort the buttons into piles by color or size, then count each group to see which one has the most buttons. It’s a great way for tactile learners to practice counting objects one by one while also developing early math skills like sorting and comparison.

The estimating jar

Skill: Estimation and counting in groups

Fill a clear jar with small marshmallows or pom-poms and ask everyone to guess how many items are inside. After writing down the guesses, dump the jar out and count the items together to see who was the closest. This is an excellent game if you are looking to help kids understand that numbers represent actual quantities.

Skip-counting store

Skill: Skip-counting and basic money concepts

You can turn your living room or a classroom into a shop by adding price tags to various toys, but here is the catch: every price must be a multiple of two, five, or ten. As the kids “buy” the items, have them skip-count the total cost using play money. 

Rubber duck race

Skill: Counting and one-to-one correspondence

Another fun math game for kindergarten is the rubber duck race. Line up a few rubber ducks or toy animals at a starting gate for a mathematical race. Kids take turns rolling a die and moving their animal forward the exact number of spaces shown. This game helps kids understand one-to-one correspondence, while also having a little bit of competitive fun. 

Skip-count craft sticks

Skill: Visualizing groups and skip-counting

Using craft sticks is a wonderful way to make skip-counting more hands-on. Have the kids group the sticks into bundles of five or ten using rubber bands, then count the bundles aloud (5, 10, 15…). It helps visual learners see that skip-counting is just a faster way to count large groups of items. 

Counting worksheets

Skill: Mental counting

For a more private practice and to give kids time to work on some counting problems by themselves, you can use counting worksheets for kids. The worksheets are colorful and fun, and at the same time, filled with exercises and word problems that will make the process of learning counting effective.

Easy math games for kindergarten

• Card slap
• Picnic counting
• Number hop
• Dominos match-up
• Shape hunt

Card slap

Skill: Number comparison and recognition speed

This is a fast-paced twist on the classic game of war that will really keep kids on their toes. Two players flip over a card from their deck at the same time, and the first one to shout out the larger number wins both cards.

Picnic counting

Skill: Real-world counting and quantity

Plan a real or pretend picnic and ask your child to help you get things ready by counting out exactly enough items for everyone, like four napkins for four people or six strawberries for the basket. This simple task helps them understand that numbers are useful tools for everyday organization, and not just some hieroglyphs on paper. 

Number hop

Skill: Number identification

Bring the fun of hopscotch indoors by using masking tape or paper squares to create a numbered path on the floor (or, if the weather is good, go outdoors!). As your child hops from one square to the next, they have to shout out the number they land on. It is an easy way to burn off some energy while improving number recognition, and you can even have them hop backwards to practice counting down.

Dominos match-up

Skill: Subitizing and addition

Write different numbers on a piece of paper. Then, give your kid a set of dominoes. They need to count the dots on the domino and “park” it near the number that matches the total. This way, they will both practice addition, but also see how different combinations can all lead to the same number. 

Shape hunt

Skill: Geometry and spatial recognition

Math is not just numbers but also shapes, and one of the many kindergarten math games you can use to demonstrate this is through a shape hunt, a variation of a scavenger hunt. Give kids a specific mission to find, for example, three circular and 2 rectangular objects in the room. This is a very easy game to play anywhere and will help people see that math is hidden all around them.

Free math games for kindergarten

• Free math games in worksheets
• Monster math
• Spooky spider printable
• PBS Kids math games
• Bridge builder blocks
• Free math tests

Free math games in worksheets

Skill: Writing numbers and solving basic operations

Free math worksheets come in a wide variety of topics and can be used as games to cover everything from tracing numbers to simple addition puzzles, allowing kids to practice at their own pace with a pencil and paper. With worksheets, you give kids engaging, yet effective ways to practice what they’ve learned at school or during an online math program in a way that feels like a game.

Monster math

Skill: Basic arithmetic and number recognition

Monster Math is a fun, story-driven game where kids help a friendly monster explore new worlds by solving math problems. In the free version, kids can explore plenty of levels covering addition, subtraction, counting, and other basic math activities, all while defeating villains to help Max save his pal Dextra.

Spooky spider printable

Skill: Number matching and fine motor skills

Spooky Spider is another free kindergarten math game you can consider.  Use printable drawings of webs, where each spiderweb requires a certain quantity of spiders, with the requirement written on each page. Use some toy spiders, or ask the kids to draw the required number of spiders on each web. 

PBS Kids math games

Skill: Wide range of early math concepts

On the PBS Kids website, you can find many free math games featuring characters. These characters will guide the kids through measuring heights, sorting shapes, and doing basic counting. The games are browser-based and easy to access, and can be a good supplementary kindergarten math games resource.

Bridge builder blocks

Skill: Addition

Another clever free kindergarten math game is Bridge Builder, an online game where kids need to choose the right blocks of numbers to build a bridge. If the numbers they pick don’t add up, the bridge will fall. This game is especially great for showing kids how different numbers can add up to the same total. 

Free math tests

Skill: Progress assessment

Free math tests on the Brighterly learning platform are another type of free math games you can use. The tests are low-stress and kid-friendly, and due to fun questions, colorful illustrations, and an interactive solving process, kids won’t perceive them as scary. They are also a great way to check how well your preschoolers are doing. 

Kindergarten online math games (Paid)

• Kahoot! DragonBox
• Todo math
• Moose math
• Marble Math Junior
• Endless numbers

Kahoot! DragonBox

Skill: Deep number sense and algebraic thinking

DragonBox is a great kindergarten math game, that can help show kids how numbers work together. Kids will get to interact with colorful characters that they stack up to add or slice in half to subtract. This shows them the numbers in action, as well as simplifying complex concepts. 

Todo math

Skill: Comprehensive early math curriculum

Todo Math offers a library of thousands of interactive math activities to kids in preschool through grade 2. The kids can do daily challenges or choose other games to practice sorting, addition, subtraction, and other operations. 

Moose math

Skill: Counting, geometry, and basic addition

Moose Math is one of the most fun math games for kindergarten kids. takes kids through a virtual city where they complete various mathematical tasks in different locations. The kids get to sort shapes, do math operations, and count ingredients for smoothies. Think of it as a virtual mathematical scavenger hunt that’s great as an additional playful learning resource.

Marble Math Junior

Skill: Problem-solving and quick mental math

Marble Math Junior is a paid game for mobile devices that turns math into a physics-based arcade game. When playing, kids need to tilt their device to roll the marble through a maze. Along the way, they need to navigate towards the correct answer to math questions that pop up on the screen. 

Endless numbers

Skill: Number recognition and sequences

Endless Numbers is a mobile-based game where a cast of adorable monsters brings digits to life through cute animations. Each number is a short interactive lesson where kids drag digits into place to solve simple equations or complete a sequence. 

Math games for the kindergarten classroom

• Number Bingo
• Play-Doh  numbers
• Draw a ribbon
• A weighing scale
• Mystery number bag
• Pattern training

Number Bingo

Skill: Number recognition and listening skills

As far as math games for kindergarten classroom go, Number Bingo is a staple, and for a good reason. It’s easy, effective, and keeps the whole group engaged at once. Each student gets a card with a grid of numbers from 1 to 20. Teachers then call out digits at random, and kids then search their boards and cover the matching number with a marker. 

 

Play-Doh  numbers

Skill: Fine motor skills and number formation

Sculpting with Play-Doh is incredibly fun in itself, but once the kids start sculpting numbers, it also becomes a great way to learn the specific curves and lines that make up each digit. Instead of just looking at a number on a screen, they physically roll the dough into “snakes” and mould them into shapes, remembering them better as a result.

Draw a ribbon

Skill: Measurement and comparison

Cut out some ribbons, put them in the containers, and ask kids to take out one ribbon at random. Then, have kids compare their ribbons with each other by putting them in pairs to see which one is longer or shorter. This is a nice way to learn and practice measurements.

A weighing scale

Skill: Understanding weight and balance

Using a simple balance scale in the classroom allows kids to explore the concept of “heavier” versus “lighter.” You can get some paper cups, a thread, and a hanger to make a scale. Then, give kids some marshmallows, candies, cotton balls, or anything you have at hand, and have them gradually fill the cups to see which gets heavier and lighter. 

Mystery number bag

Skill: Estimating and tactile counting

Play the game in a group. Place marbles or counting bears into a non-transparent bag. Then, ask each kid to reach in and grab some objects without looking in. Then ask them to first estimate and count, by sensation only, how many objects they took. Take them out and count to see how well they did. It’s a fun game that helps kids learn to visualize quantities. 

Pattern training

Skill: Logical sequencing and algebraic thinking

For this kindergarten number game, you can use colored blocks or stickers to start a simple pattern, like red-blue-red-blue, and then ask the kids, “What comes next?” As they get more comfortable, you can increase the complexity to AAB or ABC patterns to challenge their logical reasoning.

Conclusion

As young kids learn math, the most important thing is keeping them engaged. By incorporating one or many of these 40 kindergarten math games into their daily learning routine, you can create a playful environment where learning is fun, and mistakes aren’t punished. 

FAQ

What are the most engaging math games for kindergarteners?

The most engaging math games for kindergarten usually involve physical movement. For example, math twister and number line jump are great because they turn learning into a full-body experience, while many math worksheets also let kids draw and color, making them “physical” and engaging in another way.

How can I combine math games with worksheets for better results?

Use games to introduce a concept and worksheets to practice it. For example, play number bingo to visualize numbers, then use a math worksheet to practice writing those same numbers. 

What are the best kindergarten math board games for home?

Classic board games like Hi Ho! Cherry-Os are great for basic counting and taking away. Sum Swamp is another good choice that introduces addition and subtraction through a fun forest adventure.

What are the top free online math games for kindergarten?

Math worksheets from Brighterly for individual practice are great, cost-free resources for kindergarten kids. There, children can practice counting, number recognition, arithmetic, basic geometry, and more advanced math topics without a subscription. 

What math skills should kindergarten games focus on (counting, number sense, addition)?

Games should primarily focus on number sense, counting, and one-to-one correspondence. At the kindergarten, it’s important to understand base 10 numerals and that numbers represent objects. Shapes and measurements are also key math topics at this age. 

When should I switch from games to guided learning support?

If a child struggles with basic concepts despite frequent kindergarten math games, or is ready for more advanced challenges, it’s time for guided support. Live 1-on-1 tutoring, when the teacher pays attention only to the child and what they are struggling with, can bridge these gaps much faster.