For geeky kids, math gifts are a treat, but for kids who claim to dislike mathematics, the right game or activity has the potential to encourage them to think about the subject in new ways.
Long time readers of this blog (XOXO) will not be surprised to learn that my older son actually requests math games and books as gifts. His most recent request was for a new Math Perplexors workbook (see below). You can find further items we love on our games for kids of all ages list or our 5 favorite math games.
Math Gifts for Kids:
Unless otherwise specified we’ve played with — or read — all the games, toys, puzzles and books below. I don’t like recommending products that I don’t have any first hand experience with. Nothing on this list is here “just because it looks cool.” (Actually, there is one, read below to find out why.) {Note: I included affiliate links should you wish to learn more about a selection.)
Math Games and Toys:
Math ideas for kids 0-4:
I have only 2 recommendations for preschool kids: Unit blocks and a counting book. If a child doesn’t have these items, they are the first things to get.
Standard Unit Blocks. Unit blocks are classic, versatile, provide endless amounts of entertainment and teach everything from math concepts to physics all the while engaging a child’s imagination. They are the toy every kids should have. No question. This is a great, basic set. Colors can be appealing to grown-ups buying toys, but neutral, unfinished block are best (in my opinion).
Ten Black Dots is one of my favorite counting books because of its bold, retro graphic illustrations but also I like the division between the first part of the book, which shows the increasing number of black dots as they become part of objects and the end pages in which Crews lines ups the dots in rows. Toddlers can count the dots and preschoolers will start to understand the concept of quantity as they examine and count rows. Books are wonderful math tools because they encourage communication between parent and child.
Math toys for kids ages 5 and up:
After visiting the Museum of Math in NYC I couldn’t resist purchasing the X-Ball and the Ball of Whacks. It’s a rather amazing structure and really fun (and rather relaxing) to play around with it. There are several versions, like the star ball and the Y-ball. It’s recommended for ages 14 and up, which I think is odd. My 8 year old LOVES it, but I do not recommend it for young children because it is composed of small magnetic pieces.
Colorku. As the name implies, this is a giant version of Sudoku using colored wooden marbles instead of numbers. When your little genius has completed all the included puzzle cards, card extension deck are also available. My younger son can’t do the puzzles yet but he loves to exercise his fine motor skills by manipulating the marbles. Colorku was our game of the month in August of last year.
ThinkFun Rush Hour Jr. Long time readers (you’re the best) may be bored by hearing about how much I love this game. But seriously, I keep recommending it for a reason. It is my go-to gift for birthday parties and everyone loves it. The original Rush Hour is for kids ages 8 and up. It’s my #1 gift recommendation on my games for kids gift guide.
Sumoku. If Scrabble and Qwirkle had a math baby the result would Sumoku. Shhh, don’t tell but it’s going to be my game of the month for November. If you can’t wait until next week, click on the image to learn more about its awesomeness now.
This IcoSoKu looks super challenging. We haven’t played it but it’s definitely on Kiddo’s wish list. According to the description, “Solve the puzzle by matching the dots to the numbers so that all of the dots touching a number add up to that amount. There are thousands of ways to play.”
Snap Circuits Alternative Energy Kit, Green. Hmm, maybe this is more science-y than math. But I think it’s math related! Anyway, we have green energy kit and it’s well loved. I’m seriously considering adding Snap Circuits Lights Physics Kit
to our stash. It looks so awesome.
These are not your run of the mill workbooks? Remember those logic puzzles you did as a kid? Math Perplexors are those classic grid logic puzzles but with a math twist. My 8 year old adores these books. He had several of them, including Logic Links and the more language oriented Analogy Challenges and Venn Perplexors. The great thing is that each series has books at different difficulty levels, so you can find one that’s just the right fit.
Need a stocking stuffer? Math Dice are perfect. We have the original Math Dice but I am now eyeing Math Dice Powers
, which gets in exponential practice for my budding algebraist.
Kanoodle. This brain-twisting puzzle is also a terrific travel game.
Math Books for Kids:
If your kids love reading fiction, check out our list of math chapter books for kids. Eventually I’m going to do a list of nonfiction math books, but here are three I would definitely include:
How to Be a Math Genius. We’ve had this book checked out of the library forever. I’m thinking I might as well buy it…
The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians. This was a surprise book I brought home one day for Kiddo because I couldn’t resist it in the bookstore. The projects are not for the faint of heart!
You Can Count on Monsters: The First 100 Numbers and Their Characters. Kiddo got this book when he was 6 and immediately began studying it constantly. Every number is given a visual representation based on its prime number components.
Are you planning on giving your kids any math gifts this year?
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maryanne @ mama smiles says
We LOVE snap circuits! And I think Johnny is getting Rush Hour for Christmas, all because of you! Thanks for all of these great ideas!
Johanna says
Thanks for these recommendations ~ good timing too, as I was searching for smart toys too!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m glad they are helpful!
Even in Australia says
I got my kids Colorku. We already have Rush Hour – Jr. for them, regular for ME! We also have Qwirkle. But now I want to check out Sumoku and the monsters math book. I have one math lover and one math hater. I’m also interested in some non-fiction math books – I don’t have my list in front of me but there are some by Betsy Franco, i think, and a few others that are poems about math or otherwise make math fun. I’m not sure they actually require or teach math SKILLS, but making it fun is half the battle. The actress from The Wonder Years has a few books out about how girls shouldn’t fear math and reviewing math skills, but they are for older kids. Still, I want to look at them – I want to make sure they are not coming from a place talking about NOT fearing math because i don’t want to implant the idea that girls (or anyone) should be afraid of math in either of my kid’s heads. Would love to see your math book ideas. We also love the Paul Erdos biography, which is more bio than math, but does have a nice page or two on prime numbers.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Rachel — I’m not sure when I’ll get to making my math books list, not at least until January – but I have some ideas on my Pinterest board for math Picture books (you don’t have to have an account at Pinterest to view them): http://www.pinterest.com/momandkiddo/picture-books-math/
PramgaticMom says
My son really loves Snap Circuits though it doesn’t get more than a month’s worth of use. We don’t have those two kits so I think I will get them for him for Xmas! Great list!
Amy @ Sunlit Pages says
I am in love with this list! I know my five-year-old is still a little young for a lot of your recommendations, but I’m going to show this list to my husband and see if he thinks any of them will be a good fit for our kids this Christmas. But if not now, then definitely in the future! Thanks!
Natalie says
OK, my wallet is itching already! Too many toys and games I didn’t know about! You certainly know how to show math geeks good time 🙂
Julie says
Can you please be my new best mommy friend! Love all these ideas. I’m a former teacher/math coach for intermediate students now turned stay at home mommy to three boys 5 and under. I love your ideas for being sneaky about math at home. We bought traffic jam junior for my 5 year old and he loves it. I am amazed at how much he has improved in such a short time. Thank you for all your work on your blog. What a gift!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Ha Ha! All the credit for why there is so much math in our home really goes to my oldest son. His passion for it really leads the way.
Anna says
Pinning this for when my little mathematicians are ready for the challenge! Love this list.
marieclx says
What a great list! Been thinking of sumoku for some time – will have to read your post 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Yes, do! The Sumoku post is up today. It’s a fabulous game!
Jessica says
I love Rush Hour, Sumoku, and Snap Circuits and so does my 4.5 yr old.
Jen says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful list! We’ve enjoyed so many of your book and game recommendations but this list has been extra useful. I have a math loving kindergartener who’s beyond his school curriculum so I’ve been supplementing at home. Math Perplexus and Logic Links have been a huge hit. My son begs to work on these books every chance he gets. In fact, he was late to school today because he couldn’t put them down long enough to get ready in time. I also now have a very unwieldy Christmas gift idea list. There are so many great times to buy! Must start pruning that list…
Erica MomandKiddo says
I’m so glad the list is useful for you! I also know the feeling of trying to get out the door while my son has is nose in of book of one kind or another!!