Math games for decimals are a great way to practice math skills while having fun at the same time. And what’s not to love about decimal operations? They’re everywhere, from shopping to measuring ingredients for cooking. Here are five fun math games for decimals that you can use in your classroom to help your students practice their decimal skills.
Finding math games for decimals has never been easier…5 new games ready to go!
1. Decimal Scavenger Hunt
First on the list of math games for decimals is a good old fashioned scavenger hunt. This is a great game for reviewing place value and decimal operations. Hide decimals around the room, on posters, task cards, or even handouts. Students have to find as many decimals as they can and solve the operation indicated.
2. Decimal War
Next on the list of math games for decimals is Decimal War. This decimal math game is played with a regular deck of cards. Students will also need a piece of paper to keep track of their math and score. Ace is worth 0.1 point, the 2 is worth 0.2 points, and so on. So the 10=1.0 point, Jack=1.1 points, Queen=1.2, and King=1.3.
To play the game each student will need a partner. Each player draws a card from the deck and places it face-up in front of them. The player with the higher number earns the point value of both cards and adds their value to a running total. If there’s a tie, both teams draw again until there’s a winner. The first player to accumulate 10 points wins the game!
3. Bowling with Decimals
When it comes to math games for decimals, Bowling with Decimals is a kid favorite! For this decimal math game, you’ll need ten small plastic cups and some small balls (I like to use soft foam balls). Arrange the cups in a triangle shape at the front of the room. Students will take turns trying to bowl their balls into the cups. Each cup that’s knocked over is worth different points based on its position in the triangle. The point values are as follows:
1st row – 0.1 points each
2nd row – 0.2 points each
3rd row – 0.3 points each
4th row – 0.4 points each
5th row (the apex) – 0.5 points
The student or team with the most points at the end of 10 rounds is the winner!
4. Decimal Train
We could all use more FREE math games for decimals! This decimal math game can be played with any math skill, but I think it’s especially fun with decimals. To set up Decimal Train, you’ll need ten pieces of paper (I like to use Post-It notes), a sharpie, and some kind of container (I like to use a cup).
On five of the pieces of paper, write down five decimal numbers between 1 and 3 using only tenths and hundredths place values (for example 1.21, 2.00, 0.3, etc.). On the other five pieces of paper, write down five more decimal numbers between 1 and 3 using only thousandths place values (for example 0.001, 0.342, 1.085, etc.). Next, mix up all ten pieces of paper and put them upside down in your container so students can’t see what numbers are written on them.
To play Decimal Train, have 10 students each take turns drawing one piece out of your container without showing anyone else what number they’ve drawn. Once everyone has drawn their decimal number, have them stand up. When you say “Go!,” students will find someone who has a number that’s either higher or lower than their own and start putting themselves in order from least to greatest.
Keep track of the time it takes for this team of 10 to complete the task and then see if the next group of 10 students can do it faster! Save yourself some time by downloading this free set of 30 decimals cards perfect for Decimal Train…just print and go! Planning math games for decimals has never been easier!
5. Dropping Totals
Last but not least on the list of math games for decimals is a game to practice subtracting decimals. To play Dropping Totals, students will need a partner to play with, three dice, and a piece of paper to keep track of their score. Players will start by writing 10.00 at the top of their paper. The goal of the game is to get to zero. On his/her turn, a player will choose to roll 3 dice, 2 dice, or 1 die.
If they roll 3 dice, they will use the numbers to make a hundredth number (example: 1.23). For 2 dice, they will use the numbers to make a hundredth number (example: 0.12). If they roll 1 die, they will use that number to make a hundredth number (example: 0.01). After arranging the dice to create a number, the player will subtract that number from his/her total.
The first player to reach ZERO wins the game, but the total must be EXACTLY zero. If a player rolls a number that is greater than the number they need to reach zero exactly, they lose their turn and keep the total from the previous round.
You can find the student-friendly instructions and recording sheets for this game and other partner games in this bundle of 7 math games for decimals or combine the math game for decimals with everything else you need to teach and practice 4th grade decimal skills in my complete unit on decimals.
These are just a few ideas for math games for decimals that you can use in your classroom to help your students practice their decimal skills while having fun at the same time!
Get 4 Free Resources Every Month!
You read that right! I’ll share an easy-to-use and engaging upper elementary resource straight to your inbox every week along with a fabulous classroom idea or two to make teaching a little less work and a lot more fun!
Here’s the first freebie to get you started!
CLICK HERE TO GRAB YOUR FIRST FREE RESOURCE TODAY!
Ready for more math ideas? Check out one of these blog posts: