Eleven Marvelous Math Games to Supplement Your Homeschool Classroom

Let's face it. For many children, math is not a favorite subject. Numbers and math concepts can be challenging, confusing and...monotonous. As a homeschooler, you want your child's learning experience to be not only effective, but fun.

Of course, if you've been homeschooling for a while, you've probably found a certain math curriculum that's right for your kids. But maybe you're looking to supplement that program with other number activities. Below is a list of eleven games which help to improve those mathematical skills in a fresh and fun way and offers a nice break from those frustrating math moments.

1. SUM SWAMP. This game of addition and subtraction takes kids on a journey through the swamp. They'll meet all sorts of critters and crocodiles while improving their math skills. How fun is that! Recommended for grades K-2.

2. RACK-O. This oldie but goodie challenges your child's sequential numbers abilities. So rack 'em up! Instructions include multiple game variations. Recommended for 3rd grade+.

3. PAYDAY! Teach your child the basic money-management skills they will take with them into adulthood. Recommended for 3rd grade+

4. HONEYCOMB HIKE. Young learners will be buzzing over this one! As they take their bears along a paw-print path around the board toward the honey-filled bee hive, your kids will learn early math concepts like size relationships and color recognition, as well as game-play strategy. Recommended for grades PreK +.

5. TOUR DE TIME. Includes a double-sided game board for two levels of play - Leaving for Vacation and Bike Challenge. Teaches and reinforces skills in time calculation and comparisons. Recommended for grades 2+.

6. BANK ACCOUNT. Want to teach your children what's involved in writing checks, making deposits and keeping accurate records? This game is great for older children and will allow them to practice real-life transactions such as making car payments and buying groceries. Recommended for grades 5-12.

7. DIRTY FEET GAME. It might sound gross to you, but this fast-paced game on measurement will delight your kids! Includes silly feet and inch dice with lessons in converting inches to feet to yards. Guaranteed to grow smiles a mile wide! Recommended for grades 2+.

8. CONCEPTUAL BINGO. This award-winning series offers your kids the chance to improve on specific mathematical aspects while playing the classic game of bingo! Try different versions, including decimal, integers, fractions, rational numbers, whole numbers, polynomials, time, and money. Grade recommendations range from 1st to 12th.

9. CHASE! Kids can compete and race their pawns around the game board as they learn to recognize decimal place value. Available versions include Decimals and Large Numbers for grades 4-7 as well as Whole Numbers designed for grades 1-4.

10. TRI-OMINOS. This classic game combines strategy and a little bit of luck as kids match their triangular shaped numbered pieces to those already laid on the table. The first to score 400 points, wins! Recommended for grades 3+.

11. MATH MAGIC. A challenging game for middle-schoolers and beyond that teaches often difficult-to-grasp concepts like square values and roots, cubes and cube roots. Recommended for grades 6 - 12.

Check out www.educationallearninggames.com and www.1888toys.com for more information on these math games, plus a more extensive selection sure to be a fun and effective supplement to your homeschool math curriculum.