8 free math websites for kids

“Math test Friday” were the only  three words that could turn my stomach and make me break out in a cold sweat.  Some of our kids feel that way too but thankfully there are so many neat free math websites for kids that can help.  As a child I was horrible at math. You might as well have tried to teach me to speak mandarine because  that’s what all those symbols represented to me.  It was even worse in High School.  Because I didn’t understand, I didn’t try and instead I spent valuable class time painting my nails or gossiping with my girlfriend.   It’s a vicious cycle and even now I have to “look something up” so I am  “helping” my children properly with their homework.   Thankfully now, I don’t have to.  

Here are 8 free math websites for kids that can help turn your math hater into a math lover. 

Here’s our top 8 pick of Math Websites for kids: 

Math Snacks is a small but clever collection of math videos and games covering elementary school concepts with accompanying teacher and student materials. Developed by the New Mexico State University Learning Games Lab, the content is meant to appeal to kids who don’t even like math, giving them a new way to look at concepts. Six videos and five games, plus three overlapping iOS apps, are free and well executed, hip and humorous, and reminiscent of the classic Schoolhouse Rock! series.

Math Central The resources alone in the resource room can assist teachers and students in understanding major and minor concepts in math. The links of information, learning, and application of concepts are important and presented well here.

Logic and reasoning, math fact practice, and more make up the free educational games at Hooda Math.  There are quite a few games that call for higher order thinking and ask students to problem solve to complete the activities.

America’s CryptoKids website is sponsored by the NSA and focuses on code making and sodebreaking.  Students can learn more about cryptology and create and break common codes.  There are student resources, high school programs, and even college programs that can be explored.  While the site may not focus on basic math skills, cryptology requires critical thinking that essential to student success.

Designed for students from Pre-K through 7th Grade, Math Game Time offers fun, educational games.  From games like Integer War, Ratio Martian, and Jet Ski Addition, students quickly engage with games that are on-target for their grade and the Common Core Standards.

“Play with Numbers and Give Your Brain a Workout” is the motto of Math Playground.  Tailor games to play related to logic, number skills practice, geometry, algebra, probability, fractions and more.  There are also math word problems and video instruction to help students remember how to solve them. 

The message to Math Blaster’s is clear:  “Your success depends on your ability to use your brain and logic skills.”  With a space/alien theme, Math Blaster’s lets your students become intergalactic heros based on their math operation and critical thinking skills.  Registration is required, but the game itself is free.  Be sure to check out the Teacher Section to find Math Blaster for the Classroom.

Coolmath-Games has exactly what the name implies – fun and unique math learning opportunities for students.  One of the most interesting features is an online jigsaw puzzle section that features a variety of photos turned into puzzles.  This is especially helpful for developing spatial relations in young learners.  They have an extensive preview and review of Precalculus and Calculus in addition to their elementary and middle school games and reviews.

What math websites for kids would you add to the list?