Learning math skills can sometimes feel like drudgery – especially for those kids that find it difficult. Timed tests, story problems, and lots of repetition can get old quickly. Games, however, make learning math fun! The Math Dice Tournament Kit from ThinkFun is designed to strengthen addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills in a fun, game setting.
How Do You Play Math Dice Tournament from ThinkFun?
Math Dice is designed for students in grades 5-8. Ideally, it is to be used with 12-18 kids at a time. The Math Dice Tournament Kit comes with:
- 6 sets of Math Dice (Two 12-sided target dice and three 6-sided scoring dice/set)
- 15 Blackline Masters
- 6 Station Assignment sheets
- 3 On Target game sheets
- 3 Four in a Row game sheets
- Tournament Score Sheet
- Math Dice Champion Certificate
- Multiplication and Powers Training Tables sheet
- 150 double-sided game chips
Math Dice games can be played by the whole class at one time using the On Target sheet, or kids can play in pairs or sets of threes.
Basic game play starts by one student rolling the two 12-sided dice. They then multiply the numbers on the dice together, to establish a Target Number. Each player then takes turns rolling the three 6-sided dice to come up with the scoring number for that round. Players then create math equations using each scoring die only once that come as close as possible to the target number.
Here’s an example:
- 12-sided dice rolled are 2 and 3. Multiplied: 2 x 3 = 6. Six becomes the Target Number
- 6-sided scoring dice rolled are 3, 1, and 2. Players must create an equation using each of these numbers only once, to have the answer be as close to the Target Number of 6 as possible. They can use addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, even powers go get their answer. 2 possible solutions to our sample problem would be: (1 + 2) + 3 = 6 or (1 x 2) x 3 = 6.
The player whose equation is closest to the Target Number wins that round and earns a point. 4 points wins the game!
There are lots of versions to the basic game play, as well as additional games that can be played using the reproducible worksheets.
My Take on the Math Dice Tournament Kit from ThinkFun
I think this kit is a great plus for home use or school use. Siblings of varying ages could play the game together just as easily as students in a classroom. Math is often times one of the “drier” subjects in school. It’s harder to incorporate creative tools that make learning fun. This kit seems to have almost endless possibilities to make learning fun. And, each time it is played, it brings about a new experience, new interaction with different classmates, new opportunities for seeing the solution first and winning a round.
I also love how this game encourages creative problem solving, and sharing of those solutions between students. Teaching other classmates can be a great tool for learning and solidifying math concepts.
Buy the Math Dice Tournament Kit from ThinkFun
The Math Dice Tournament Kit can be purchased at the ThinkFun website and at retailers nationwide. ThinkFun games can also be purchased on Amazon.com.
Find a store near you by clicking here and entering your zip code.
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to ThinkFun who provided the product for review.
