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Games to Build With Cubes

You can teach children their numbers and simple geometry with building cube games. A cube is a 6-sided, 3-dimensional shape, where each face is a square. Cubes stack easily because each side is equal. Games where children build with cubes often feature math links, which are educational interlocking cubes, for counting and computations. Other games where children can build with cubes include online computer games.

Sequencing
- Math manipulatives are tactile learning devices.
  
  Math link cubes are educational manipulatives that help children see and experience numbers and simple computations. Create a game by forming patterns with the multicolored cubes and interlock them. For example, place two red cubes together with one yellow cube and three blue cubes. Instruct the children to try to copy your pattern independently. After the children master your pattern, ask them to come up with their own. Then repeat the pattern with the math cubes until all the cubes are used.
Measuring
- Use the math link cubes in a measuring game. Demonstrate measuring to the children by linking enough cubes to equal the length of your hand. Count together how many link cubes equal the distance from the tips of your fingers to your wrist. Instruct the children to link their cubes to match the lengths of their own hands. Create a game by asking the children to find other objects in the room that are the same size as their hands and the linked math cubes. Then measure other objects, such as doors, shoes and books, and try to find things around the room that are the same size.
Buildings
- When students play with the math link cubes, they practice counting, measuring and pattern making. Form a game with a group of children to discover who can build the tallest structure using the math links. The children experiment with colors and constructing foundations of groups of math cubes to form taller and taller buildings. Once the children are finished with their projects, everyone can count the number of cubes together.
Online
- Various websites offer free cube building games for children. Cubelands is a free game where players build large structures, such as houses and skyscrapers. At the Illuminations website, children put together rows and columns on a cube, then try figure out its volume. The Nrich site offers a variety of math cubes games. Some games have patterns for students to copy with their math link cubes, while others ask children to identify patterns on the screen. Other games ask children to build objects, such as tables and chairs.

Kids Games