How to Teach Math With Kids' Games

Have the kids use different counting methods when playing games like Hide and Go Seek. In addition to having beginners count from 1 to 20, let older kids count by threes, tens or multiples of four, for example.

Practice simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division whenever you play a game involving numbers or dice. For example, ask your kids multiply the numbers on their dice after they roll in Monopoly or add the numbers of their new and old positions if they're playing hopscotch.

Give kids a watch while they're playing and have them calculate the minutes they have left in the session. You can also tell them how much time they have left and ask them to figure out what time they need to stop playing to reinforce time and math skills.

Find popular games like Hi Ho Cherry-O that will require them to add and subtract small numbers. Teach more advanced concepts with games for older kids like Monopoly. Put your child in charge of the "bank" so they'll learn how to count money and make change. (See Resources)

Let the kids play games online that reinforce basic math. They'll think they're getting a treat with the video games, but they'll also be learning important fundamentals. Turn regular video games into a teaching tool whenever possible. If your kids are playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii, for example, have them calculate the difference between the first- and last-place times.