One way of practising mathematics skills is to do so verbally. Verbal maths games are fun for everyone to play, and a great way for kids to learn their key maths skills. As a special treat for Easter, we’ve adapted five games below to give them an Easter-based theme. Enjoy these fun Easter Break Maths Games.
Game 1: Play “Chocolate Egg” – requires a packet of mini-eggs.
This game can be played with pairs or multiples of any number and is based on a game called fizz buzz. Instead of the words “fizz buzz” we will be using the words “chocolate” and “egg”. Choose multiples, for example with multiples of 3 and 4. Sit in a circle and count up from one. Say “chocolate” for all multiples of 3, “egg” for all multiples of 4 and “chocolate egg” for numbers which are multiples of both 3 and 4. When someone says “chocolate egg” they could be given a chocolate mini-egg. e.g. 1, 2, “chocolate”, “egg”, 5, “chocolate”, 7, “egg”, “chocolate”, 10, 11, “chocolate egg” …
Game 2: Play “Bunnies and Eggs” – requires three suitable chocolates per game.
In this game (based on one known as “Cows and Bulls”), the leader chooses a number with 3 or 4 digits. For example, “1 04”. The next player then chooses a number with three digits as a guess (maybe “210”). The leader says how many bunnies they have and how many eggs. A “bunny” is when they have the digit correct but not in the right order. An “egg” is when they have the correct digit correct in the right place. When this happens, you award a chocolate. In this case they would have two bunnies and no eggs. They then guess again, with the process repeated until they get all the numbers right (or three “eggs”).
Game 3: Viola’s Easter Egg Hunt – optional egg prize for correct answers or well-phrased questions.
Ask your players to solve this question (or a variation of it) to enhance their verbal reasoning skills. “Viola goes to an Easter Egg Hunt on day one and finds one Easter Egg. On day two of the hunt she finds two eggs. On day three she finds three eggs and day four of the Easter Egg hunt she finds four eggs and so on.” My question is how many eggs will Viola have after six days of hunting? If she keeps going like she is on daily hunts, at what point will she have gathered thirty-six Easter eggs?
You can vary this by asking the children to come up with different questions to ask to see if they understand the style of question. You don’t need the answers, do you?
Game 4: Eating Easter Eggs – optional egg prize for correct answers.
This game tests their knowledge of mean, median and mode. Think in advance of a scenario. For example, in Mrs Smith’s class, there are seven boys who each received and ate Easter Eggs before breakfast. In order, the boys ate 4, 5, 1, 3, 3, 4 and 8 eggs. What is the mean number of eggs eaten by the boys? What is the median number of eggs eaten? What is the mode of the number of eggs eaten? (Ask how they reached their answers each time).
Ask us if you need the answers!
Game 5: Easter Boxes – optional egg prize for correct answers.
This game has the advantage of testing multiplication and geometry. Ask your players to choose between two boxes which are to be used to post Easter eggs. The goal is to choose the biggest box. For example you say: “Box 1 measures 10cm x 3cm on two sides and is 3cm deep” (90cm cubed – but don’t say this bit). “Box 2 measures 4cm x 6cm on two sides and is 4cm deep” (so, 96cm cubed). Which box is the biggest you can use to pack your Easter eggs inside? (Answer box 2).
No chocolate or eggs for us!
Not everyone wants or is able to supply chocolates for these games. What else could you use? We will leave that one to your imagination!
Can you find any more games to play over the Easter break? Tell us about them!
Happy Easter from us all at MagiKats.
