Rummikub: A Number Puzzle Game

Let me introduce you to a fun numbers game that most of your family can play. This would be a great family Christmas gift.

Once the children can put numbers in order from 1 to 13, they can play this game (though I think the box says ages 8 and up). It can be played by just two players, but is much more fun with three or four (or combine two games and play with up to eight players!).

First, obtain the most beat up table you can find and spread out the tiles. Turn them all upside down.

Everyone draws fourteen tiles and arranges them in their tray in which ever way makes sense to them. Everyone does this differently. Once your child learns the game, don't mess with the way they arrange their tiles. My best player doesn't arrange her tiles at all, but then, she has always been way smarter than me.

Now it's time to play. Each player takes turns laying down as many tiles as she can. The first person to be out of tiles, wins. If you can't go, you must draw a tile from the pile.

You play by laying down a run (at least three consecutive numbers of the same color):

They can be any three consecutive numbers of any same color: Or, play a set (at least three tiles of the same number, but different colors):That's it. It is easy to learn, but the play becomes a great puzzle as more and more tiles are played. Runs can be as long as thirteen tiles (1 through 13) and sets can have one of each color (red, black, orange, and blue), but neither can have less than three tiles.

Sometimes you can rearrange the entire board, just to get rid of one tile.

It is always fun to see the synapses firing--and I'm referring to Mom and Dad, here.

Have fun with yet another way to play with numbers.

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Fun Multiplication Mastery Game

Mastery of the times tables is a vital math skill. You Your child will need it in every facet of math and it makes a big difference if they have the figures down cold.

Some people call this game "Salute" and it is a fun way to practice the times tables. You will need a deck of playing cards (Skip-bo or Phase 10 cards work also--just make sure they have the numbers 1-12).

If your child is just getting started with multiplication, play with only the ace (represents 1), 2's, 5's, and 10's (jack can be 10, queen = 11 and king = 12) and then add in higher numbers as they learn them. For example, my son knows his tables up to twelve, but my daughter hasn't yet learned the 7's, 8's, or 12's. We don't put those cards in the deck for our game.

Once you have selected the cards that will be played, deal the remaining deck into two piles, face down. Give each child a stack of cards, reminding them not to look!

The children sit across from one another at the table and a third person sits on the end. Each child picks up a card and holds it up to their forehead, like this. Then he makes a nice face at his sister.

I said a nice face. There, that's better. The third player, which is usually Mom or Dad, says, "The product of your cards is 66." The Boy cannot see his own card, but knows that his sister is holding a number 6. "I have an 11," he declares. The Girl cannot see her own card, but knows that her brother is holding a number 11. "I have a 6." That's it. They discard their cards, pick up a new one and Mom says, "The product of your cards is 15."

"I have a 5!"

"I have a 3!"

"YES, good job. Next card."

The game ends when they run out of cards. After a couple of times through, you may want to take out the ace, and 10's. After a few more times, remove the 2's and 11's. You can make it as easy or difficult as you want.

Once you know your child won't give an incorrect product, switch places. You hold a card to your forehead and let one of the kids give the answers.

My kids love this game and choose to play even when it isn't school time.

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Practice Quick Basic Addition and Multiplication

This dice game is a favorite at our house. It helps all of us recall sums and products with speed, encouraged by competition. It is super simple to learn and can be adjusted somewhat to the students' level. It can be played individually, in pairs or as group.

Addition: Toss the dice and add the numbers before the other guy. The end. Isn't that easy? Two six sided die are perfect for beginners and trains the players to know sums without having to think.

Example: 3 + 5 = 8

You can move up to twelve sided dice (you can find them here) once you have mastered the sixes.

Example: 6 + 8 = 14

Multiplication: Toss the dice and multiply the numbers before the other guy. Again, start with six sided dice and move up to the twelve sided dice when you are ready. To play this game with multiplication, the students ought to have the times tables basically memorized. With frequent play, they will increase their speed speedily! (Ha, ha! Alliteration!)

Example: 12 x 4 = 48

Just a note: please, please teach your families the times tables up to twelve (or beyond). My elementary education only taught to the tens and I still struggle with twelves. We use twelves frequently in both measurement (five feet equals sixty inches: 5 x 12 = 60) and time (seventy-two hours equals three days: 6 x 12 = 72).

Okay, do you does your whiz kid want an even greater challenge?

Obtain four dice in two different colors. First add the similar colors then multiply their sums.

Example: (white) 6 + 4 = 10; (red) 5 + 3 = 8 Then multiply: 10 x 8 = 80

Need to see it again?

Example: (white) 6 + 2 = 8; (red) 5 + 3 = 8 Then multiply: 8 x 8 = 64

You and your children will become proficient at these basic addition and multiplication problems in no time at all. Have fun and don't go too easy on 'em!

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