Homemade Shoe Box Math Games

Shoe Box Mystery Math Game

• For this game, you will need one shoe box, a package of notebook paper, a pair of scissors and a pen or marker. Cut several sheets of paper into four quarters. The numbers of sheets you will need depends on the number of math questions you want to create. Write one simple math problem on each of the small slips of paper.

  Place all of the slips into the shoe box. Have players take turns removing slips from the box without looking. They must solve the problems on the slips of paper that they choose. Use this game to teach basic math skills.

Shoe Box Fractions

• This game teaches children about fractions using shoe boxes. You will need 10 or more shoe boxes and several rolls of painter's tape. You will give each child a shoe box and a roll of tape, then instruct each child to mark off the shoe box into sections. For example, the first task could be "Separate the shoe box into two halves." Children should take one piece of tape and wrap it around the middle of the box, making two halves. Continue to give them commands, such as thirds, fourths and eighths. This activity will show children how a whole can be separated into fractions.

Shoe Box Board Game

• The next game is another basic math skills game. You only need one shoe box for this activity. You also need a pair of scissors, a black marker and three slips of paper. Remove the lid from the box and cut along the corners of the box, so that the sides of the box lay flat. The box will have four sides and one large area in the center. Draw a plus sign on the left panel of the box, then move clockwise, drawing a minus sign, multiplication symbol and division symbol on the other panels. Cut the three sheets of paper into fourths and draw numbers one through 10 on 10 of the slips (one number per slip). Discard the remaining two slips.

  For this game, place a number in the center area of the box, then place one number next to the other four panels. The players must perform the calculations that they see. Switch the numbers up as they solve problems.

Shoe Box Area Game

• The last game teaches children about figuring out the area of an item. You will need 10 or more shoe boxes of various sizes, rulers (one for each child), paper and pencils. Give each child a ruler, a sheet of paper and a pencil. The area of a three-dimensional box is represented by the formula length multiplied by width multiplied by height. Have children calculate the area of each box as quickly as they can.