Here are the best online math activities for teaching your child recommended by 2,000 homeschooling families.
Searching online for free math activities is a top level time waster.
Some of the online math games are fun but there isn't much that you could say was 'educational', other websites are boring and full of adverts.
Google isn't much help; the high ranking math websites for kids aren't necessarily the ones your child will like - or, if they do, you might not!
This is my homeschool daughter Catherine pretending she really does enjoy math - especially when Mom has got the camera!
The best way to start is by looking at these free online home school resources which have been specially selected by homeschoolers as the top educational websites around.
Many of these have Math activities and games.
Below we will drill down into some of these sites and add a few more which are math specific.
My children William and Catherine have been using different online math games for kids ever since we started homeschool.
Children have different tastes in maths sites and what one loves, another hates.
So don't be put off; try out these sites and pick out the ones your child likes best.
"Try Prodigy Math. It's free, it's fun and you as the teacher have control over what lessons they learn as well as access to reports on their progress. It truly looks and feels like playing a video game."
~ Angie, Courageous Homeschooling Facebook support group
You can use the free version - you don't need to pay.
One member of my Courageous Homeschooling group who bought membership said you don't get any additional features in terms of the educational side; you are just given extra powers.
In fact she says the only good thing is you stop getting bugged about buying membership all the time (!)....But you don't need membership as such.
"Prodigy is great!" ~ Maria, Courageous Homeschooling support group
" My son age 6 likes this." ~ Mandy
"I second cool math games." ~ Diana
You can find more help on learning your times tables, including teaching tips and a free e-book of activities and ideas, here.
"My daughter loves Math on Khan Academy," ~ Diana
"My kids especially like Khan Academy." ~ Maria
"We used Khan Academy -
it had you do 5 problems in a row - if you got 5 right you moved on - if
not it sent you back to practice. BUT it also had each problem solo on a
page (the screen) - and honestly worksheets don't work for me or the kids." ~ Allie
Click for the US version of Free Math Games
Click for the UK version of Free Maths Games
These are the best free online math activities sites recommended by home educators:
Corbett Maths is highly recommended. The Corbettmaths YouTube channel has over 800 mathematical videos on a wide range of topics, for KS2, KS3, GCSE and A-Level.
It also has practice papers, worksheets and revision cards.
There's no doubt that teaching maths can be challenging.
One of the best ways is to play board and card games which do all the hard work for you!
These kids board and card games have been recommended by 2,000 homeschoolers as the ones they find most useful (and enjoyable!) for teaching math.
And you can also add in making your own free board games too!
And if you're struggling with fractions you'll find online math activities, games and websites to help.
I have no doubt that the secret of success is to take maths out of the classroom and show your children how numbers work in real life.
An essential part of developing maths skills is building self-confidence. Online math activities and games sites can definitely help with that.
"Just had a look through your monthly
newsletter focusing on math. Thanks so much for all the links and
ideas. It's brilliant!" ~ Diana
"Hi....I totally love all your posts and enjoy reading them....the kids love the activities and enjoy them through and through." ~ Bianka
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Please, please, please keep it up, people like you make our home school life so much easier." ~ Kelly
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