Fun math can lead to more effective learning. Online afterschool math programs have run with this trend, creating programs that produce results while being enjoyable for kids. Parents can take the concept of fun even further by finding the math in their families’ everyday lives. Here are five fun math tips that can give your kids extra help without them even realizing it:
1. A Trip to the Store
Taking your child shopping, whether to a grocery store, to a department store, or on Amazon, is an opportunity for fun math. Encourage your children to keep a running total of the items in your shopping cart. Challenge them to figure out how much extra you’ll be paying for sales tax. Many department stores offer sales coupons that take a percentage off the retail cost, which can provide more math opportunities (e.g., “We’re buying three shirts at $10 each but will get a 30 percent discount; how much will these items cost?”). While shopping online, compare the prices of an item on multiple websites (e.g., “Is this Lego set cheaper on Amazon or Toys’r’Us.com?”) and ask your kids how much more (and perhaps, what percentage) you will save by going with the less expensive vendor.
2. Watching Sports
Most pro sports by their nature are statistically driven. The plethora of numbers generated offers plenty of opportunities for fun math for your child as you watch the games together. For example:
- Basketball: The Bulls led the Jazz 52-47 at halftime. At the end of the third quarter, the Bulls led 80-72. Who scored more points in the third quarter?
- Football: The Steelers are penalized 10 yards for holding. They were on the 42 yard-line; where will they be after the penalty? (This is challenging because depending on what side of the field the Steelers were, your child will have to either add or subtract.)
- Golf: The par-5 hole is 580 yards long. Tiger Woods hit his tee shot 340 yards. How far away is he from the hole?
