| Learning multiplication can be tricky. That's why | | | | game. The jungle board might use trees or monkeys, |
| teachers and parents need to be on the ball and use | | | | and the racing car board might use cars. These will be |
| whatever they can to make multiplication fun and | | | | the symbol to pick up a card. |
| simple. One way learning multiplication fun is to use | | | | On your cards you will have the multiplication facts |
| math board games. | | | | that you want children to practice. They will have |
| Making math board games is easy. All you require is | | | | something like 9x3 or 7x5. Once the cards and the |
| some card stock and markers and you're ready to | | | | board are ready you simply need the dice (you can |
| go. The easiest game to create is the track game. | | | | use one or two) and some markers. The cards are |
| For this one you just make a math board game with | | | | placed in a pile face down beside the board. |
| a track with start at one end and finish at the other | | | | Each player puts a marker on the start and then the |
| end. The track could be circles or squares joined | | | | players take turns to roll the dice. If the player lands |
| together. It may go zigzagging up the board or it | | | | on a feature square, they simply follow the |
| may go around the edge with the start being right | | | | instructions. If a player lands on a Symbol square, |
| beside the finish. | | | | they pick up a card. Then they have to tell the |
| First you need to mark the Start and the Finish on | | | | answer to the multiplication fact. If their answer is |
| your math board game and then you can add the | | | | correct, they have another turn at rolling the dice. If |
| feature spaces. These are ones that say, 'Have | | | | their answer isn't correct, they miss turn. Of course |
| another turn' or 'Miss a go'. Some might say 'Go | | | | the first player to reach the finish will be the winner. |
| forward 3 spaces' or 'Go back to the start'. You can | | | | You can also get the kids involved in making the |
| also choose a theme for your game like racing cars | | | | game board and decorating it. This will give them a |
| or the jungle and decorate your math board with the | | | | real sense of ownership and they will be really keen |
| theme. The feature spaces can also have things | | | | to play and practice their multiplication. |
| related to the theme. You might have, 'You have a | | | | Yes, making your own math board game to practice |
| flat tire. Miss a turn.' on your board game with the | | | | multiplication really is that simple! The best part is that |
| racing car theme. | | | | this game can then be used for other math skills |
| You will also need to add some symbols to some | | | | apart from multiplication. Just make another set of |
| spaces on the game board. These can be something | | | | cards to practice addition, subtraction or division and |
| like a star or can be related to the theme of your | | | | you're ready to go! |