Not all free online math games are created equal. It’s hard enough to find games that are intended for educational not commercial use, never mind locating free online math games for Pre-K – 2 that actually meet math standards.
For the Pre-K – 2 age group it’s also best to avoid free online math sites which are commercial sites. There is no reason to expose children of this age to more direct marketing and advertising than they already take in on a daily basis.
Math Standards for Grades Pre-K, Grade 1 and Grade 2
This is a very basic summary of the math standards, used here as a guide to evaluating the quality of the free online math game web sites. For a full and detailed description of math standards got to Principles & Standards for School Mathematics by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Here are the four math standards used for all grades, each with an applicable example for students who are Pre-K, in Kindergarten, or in Grade 1 or Grade 2.
1. Number and Operations Standard: includes addition/subraction, counting, place value and whole numbers.
2. Algebra Standard: sort, classify, order objects, recognize and extend patterns, recognize qualitative and quantitative change.
3. Geometry Standard: recognize, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes; use spatial memory.
investigate and predict the results of putting together and taking apart two- and three-dimensional shapes.
4. Measurement Standard: Recognize length, volume, weight, area, and time; compare and organize based on those attributes.
Best Free Online Math Games for Pre-K through Grade 2
The following free online math games are operated by educational institutions. The sites do not contain advertising and their sole function is to educate children Pre-K through Grade 2 with math games and activities.
The Department of Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the Utah State University runs the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives. From the home page select Virtual Library. Click on Pre-K – 2 to find the free online math games, which are divided by each appropriate math standard. Most of the free online math games for K-2 on this site cover Numbers and Operations and Geometry. Fun games include Color Patterns, the Chip Abacus and Turtle Geometry. The games will only operate on a Java-enabled browser.
Illuminations is an absolute goldmine of free online math games for kids. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics have created 90 math “Activities” divided into different grades, including a section for PreK-2. From the home page click on Activities and then select click the box for PreK-2. Use the search box to find a specific math topic. Or click “All Activities” to sort through all 90 activities.
The free online math games (“activities”) at Illuminations require Javascript or MacroMedia FlashPlayer. The related movies use QuickTime.Homeschooling parents and teachers will need Adobe Acrobat to download related student activity worksheets.
Rainforest Maths is colorful and visually interesting. Find more than 200 free online math games for students Pre-K through Grade 2. Game topics covered are: number sense/operations, algebra/patterns, measurement, geometry/space, chance, data, and money.
Adobe Flash Player is needed to play these free online math games and activities. This site ismaintained by an Australian primary school teacher, so some standards may differ from U.S. math standards. This free online math site is fun, and free of advertising.
Count Us In is 15 different free online math games “designed to help children understand basic number concepts.” The site’s design and the games are simple and intuitive. The site is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Your students should enjoy these free online math games, which will not distract them with irrelevant advertising.
Reference:
- Principles & Standards for School Mathematics by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards.nctm.org
