Help your kids learn fraction reduction with this fun math card game. This game teaches kids about fractions by helping them learn and recognize which fractions can be reduced. Since fraction reduction involves division, it also helps them practice simple division skills. Win-win.
In general, games are a great way to approach learning. By taking the pencil and paper away and focusing on having fun, children who might have anxiety over math can relax a bit. And can I admit, it's a great way for a parent to refresh her math skills as well?
Are you ready to play?
Table of contents
What You Need
A deck of cards with face cards (i.e. Jack, Queen, Kings, Jokers) removed.
2 players
You can get printable instructions using the form below. Please note that our tips and variations are not on the printable.
How To Play
1. Shuffle cards and deal out the entire deck between 2 players, face down.
2. Each player turns over his or her top card and places it in the center of the table. The numbers create a fraction, with the smaller card as the numerator and the higher number as the denominator. (Aces count as 1) For example, if the cards are 4 and 8 the fraction is 4/8, no matter who has the 4 and who has the 8.
3. As soon as the cards are revealed, players quickly attempt to determine if the fraction can be reduced. For example 4/8 can be reduced to ½.
4. When a player determines if the fraction can be reduced, he slaps the cards. The first player to slap the cards gets first dibs at solving the fraction reduction. If he correctly reduces the fraction, he gets to keep the cards, adding them to the bottom of his pile to be played again later. If the player is incorrect, the other player gets to keep the cards.
5. If a player slaps a non-reducible fraction, he forfeits and the cards go to the other player.
6. If the fraction can not be reduced (and was not slapped in error), players continue to add new cards (each player revealing a new card at the same time) until the cards form a new fraction that can be reduced. The player who wins that hand gets to keep the top cards as well as the piles that have accumulated.
7. Play continues in the manner. When one player has collected all the cards, the game is over.
MORE: Get our printable fractions to play more fraction games!
Tips and Variations
For a shorter game, set a time limit. The player with the most cards at the end of the time is the winner.
Instead of the larger number always being the denominator, switch it so the larger number is always the numerator. When reducing fractions, the whole number must be identified as such. For example, 10 over 5 would be called out as "2" and not 2/1.
Alternatively, choose one player as the denominator and one as the numerator. This will keep kids on their toes!
Depending on the age and skill of your child, you may wish to eliminate the penalty (step 5) for slapping a non-reducible fraction.
Since the purpose of playing the game was to practice reducing fractions, it made sense for me to let my child take his time to figure out the reduced fraction after he slapped the cards, I let him take as much time as he needed to figure out that 4/8 = ½ after slapping the cards. He got a big smile on his face every time he recognized a reduce-able fraction before I did. That gave him confidence and the perseverance to keep going.
If players are of an equal skill level (e.g. not parent-child), it may be useful to impose a time limit after slapping for calling out the reduced fraction.
Like this game? Try one of these math activities:Â
- Fiverton card game, aka "Five or Ten"
- Math Star Puzzle with a deck of cards
- or learn about fractions by making fraction cookies!
teachingyoungchildren says
Great to be coming back together 🙂 Love this game, will definitely try it at home.
Jeanette Nyberg says
Clever, clever, clever. I love math games for kids- I feel like more kids would like math if half the class was spent on math games. Hmmmmmm
Pragmaticmom says
What a great game. I love games that you can use regular decks of cards for. My son would love this game. I'm sending him over to learn how to play. He's not doing fractions just yet, but I still think he would love to learn to play this game.
Erica MomandKiddo says
It's a good way to practice simple multiplication and division, too.
Kelly @ IdealistMom.com says
We're just starting to talk about fractions with our 5yo daughter, so this is perfect timing! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope the game comes in handy for you!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
This sounds like a game my kids will eventually enjoy, but subtraction is still a struggle in my house. I need to invest in some math games!
Stanley & Katrina (@StanleyNKatrina) says
This is a great game idea. Loving this link group! Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend.
~Cool Mom/Christine M.
Tech Support for Stanley & Katrina
Anna@The Measured Mom says
I just love all your games posts. This is a great one for pulling out when my daughter's ready for it. Thanks so much for sharing!
AndrewL says
Clever! I will definitely try this in the classroom. I've had students play War to practice multiplication facts, but hadn't ever thought to do fractions like this.
Emily says
Hi!
Can you link to that specific deck? I love that it’s black!
Erica says
I'm not sure if Bicycle makes that exact deck but here is a link to a similar one: https://amzn.to/3d5GldL
Also I LOVE this one: https://amzn.to/3f9erA8
TechyKids Canada says
Math games like these are perfect for making learning fun for kids. I can help kids to understand important math concepts. Thanks for sharing!