It’s no secret around here that I love to use math games in my upper elementary classroom. Games are the easiest way to increase engagement and are great math station rotation ideas. However, I hate wasting time looking for fun games and activities to use with my students. I just want tried and true, low-prep options ready with a click of a button. In the same boat? This round-up for grade 5 maths games and activities is sure to add some fun to your math block without wasting time scrolling through endless options on the internet!
Before I get much further, how do I use math games in my classroom? How do I fit everything into 1 class period? Short answer- I don’t. But I have found that using math stations really helps with the time management of fitting everything in. I share all of my tips, tricks, and strategies on how to set up math stations in this free 5 part video series. Everything is included from how to start, to math station rotation ideas and setting up the logistics so that math centers run themselves! Pop your email down below and get the videos sent straight to your inbox!
grade 5 maths games by topic
To make this post easier to navigate, I’m breaking down the grade 5 maths games I use by topic. This way, you can find exactly what you’re looking for. I do a combination of matching math games to the current topic and also using other games as a spiral review. This way, my students have options when it comes to practicing skills.
Looking for different math topics? I made a second blog post with the other half of my favorite games and centers for math in 5th grade! Check out part 2 here.
Want to pick up everything you need for grade 5 maths games at once? This bundle has you covered!
Activities and games for multiplication and division
In 5th grade, games for multiplication and division are easy options to practice all year long. This is typically a topic that I use as a spiral review any time of year. My favorite options in this category include learning labs, round table discussions, and menu activities.
I try to make math as hands-on as possible and multiplication and division are great concepts for this. I use learning labs as a structure to help students build the multiplication algorithm by starting with the area model. On the flip side, I use base ten blocks to help model division. These learning labs are key to building a student’s concrete understanding before moving on to abstract thinking. Curious about using learning labs? Be sure to check them out here.
Looking for cooperative learning strategies? I use round table discussions when 5th grade math questions have multiple steps. The multiplication algorithm is a perfect example of this. I have students start solving 1 problem but they only solve the first step. Then they trade their papers to the next person in the circle and solve the 2nd step of the problem. This keeps going until the whole problem is finished. Because each student is solving a new step each time, students are all working on something. And to make it more of a game, each step that is correct is a point. The table with the most points wins!
Menu activities are a fun and easy way to review before a unit test or state standardized test. I create different menu posters and hang them around the room. Students go to a problem and solve it. The catch is that they have to spend a certain amount of money and that more difficult problems are worth more money. These types of games for multiplication and division are easy to differentiate. Grab the set here.
decimal place value for 5th grade
Decimal place value for 5th grade is essential for continuing with operations on decimal numbers. I like to use two different activities to help students learn to order decimals, and create decimals in expanded form.
To help students practice ordering decimals from least to greatest, I use line ’em-up cards. These cards are perfect for a math learning center or a whole group math game. Essentially the cards have different decimal numbers on them and students have to put them in order. To challenge students, I will put a time limit on ordering them, and for students who need a little help, I will provide number lines and whole number markers for them to use. You can also use these cards in a game of war by having students grab the highest value decimal.
Using work mats is another fun grade 5 maths games that’s perfect for decimal place value. These work mats are just like task cards but they have the answers on the back! Set up a game of speed dating or have students play a whole group math game with the cards and use them like flashcards. This work mat set is perfect for writing decimals in written and expanded forms.
Want to grab these decimal place value for 5th grade games and activities? Be sure to check out this bundle that includes these 2 games PLUS 9 other games and activities!
decimal games for 5th grade
Next, up in my favorite grade 5 maths games is a collection of activities that are perfect for operations on decimal numbers. These decimal games for 5th grade are great for getting students up and out of their seats while still practicing math!
I’m always looking for more ways to get students moving around the room and a scavenger hunt is a low-prep way to do just that! This scavenger hunt is easy to prep, just print out the cards and hang them around the room. It’s also self-checking because the answer to one card is located on another card. Students can follow their answers around the room and practice solving decimal operation problems.
Also included in the decimal games for 5th grade bundle is a performance task that would be great to use as a summative assessment or to use before a break. I talk more about my math poster projects in this post if you want to use this shopping adventure task in action. It’s available in digital or print making preparation a breeze!
Looking for 5th grade math games for free? I have a set of adding and subtracting decimals Tic Tac Toe games that is perfect for math stations! Click here to download the free math game!
There are 10 more activities included in the decimal games for 5th grade bundle which you can grab at a discount here.
grade 5 maths games for adding and subtracting fractions
Adding and subtracting fractions doesn’t have to be so challenging! Make it fun and interactive with these games for adding and subtracting fractions!
First up is a set of match-it-up cards that is a fun whole-class math game or math learning center. Students work to match up mixed numbers and improper fractions. This skill is so important when teaching to add and subtract fractions. I like to practice this skill separately before introducing adding mixed numbers and then subtracting mixed fractions.
Sometimes, we all need a quick digital assignment for students to work on during small group instruction or to leave for emergency sub plans. I like using digital task cards to do just that. Students complete the task cards fully online while still getting the practice they need. There’s more than enough for differentiation meaning some students can be working on adding and subtracting fractions unlike denominators while others work with adding and subtracting mixed numbers.
If you want to have a lot of options on games for adding and subtracting fractions then be sure to check out this bundle. Included are the 2 activities mentioned above along with 10 other games and activities!
algebra games for 5th grade
Yes, 5th graders really do learn algebra. I was just as surprised as you were and talked more about this concept over in this blog post about algebraic expressions for 5th grade. Essentially students learn about expressions with variables and order of operations in math problems. To make this topic more, I use algebra games for 5th grade!
Guess my expression is a favorite of my students because it makes them the teacher! Students create their own verbal expression task cards and trade with a neighbor to solve. I have also hung the cards they create around the room and let students move around to solve everybody’s cards. Such a fun activity that can be played multiple times during an algebra unit.
One of the lessons I learned was all about student-centric learning methods and how to use choice board templates in the classroom. I created different open-ended prompts that are perfect for the topics included in my algebraic expressions for 5th grade unit. These choice boards are pre-filled with prompts and can be assigned both digitally and on paper. They make for great fast-finisher activities, collaboration assignments, or a math station rotation option.
Want to grab both of these algebra games for 5th grade along with 6 additional activities? Check out the bundle here to learn more.
More grade 5 maths games
Need more grade 5 maths games to play? These blog posts and videos share even more ideas! I also have a mega bundle of all of the grade 5 maths games mentioned in this post that makes it easy to grab everything all at once. Be sure to grab the mega bundle here.
- Math Projects: Differentiated Hands-On Learning
- 3 Tips for Using Review Games in Math Classrooms
- Using Jenga in the Classroom
- Free Math Partner Games for Multiplication and Division Facts
- Math Fact Games
- 5th Grade Math Games for Free
Share your favorite grade 5 maths games in the comments!
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