Multiplication with Minecraft

I actually mentioned this idea back in March when I talked about a Harry Potter-themed math game (which, if you haven’t seen, you should absolutely check it out), but it’s so cool that I feel like it needs a mention on its own. And Minecraft math might be just the thing to help your game-obsessed kids get a little learning in this summer, right?

Royal Baloo made this awesome Minecraft-themed multiplication game, which you can print out at home and set up pretty easily (you will need access to a color printer). The idea is that you are trying to collect all the resources by landing on different colored parts of the game board. To collect that resource, you have to correctly answer the multiplication problem on the back.

It’s such a great idea and would be adaptable to a lot of different themes (she also has a Pokemon one). I mean, I want to play this and I don’t even like Minecraft.

[Photo: Royal Baloo.] Looking for more resources? Check out these board games for learning Math and Multiplication?

I feel like I’ve been writing a lot (and thinking a lot) about things that you can do inside when it’s too hot to consider going outside to play, but when you get those nice days (or if you’re already planning things to do when it’s a little cooler out) you need to be ready to take advantage.

Having a piece of chalk and a sidewalk is all the preparation you need for a basic movement obstacle course. Think of it as a much more intricate game of hopscotch with other movements like twirling, balancing, jumping and throwing.

The original idea behind this post was the pirate themed chalk obstacle course from Chick Link. This super cute (and long!) course includes things like jumping over a crocodile, balancing on the plank, catching a fish by throwing a hula hoop, spinning in a storm, rowing a boat and more, high-fiving the pirate and finally getting to the treasure (which is also just drawn, or you could have little fake jewels) at the end.

This theme is super cute but it occurs to me you could do something similar with whatever your kid is into. Make the course based on characters they like with activities from shows or movies they enjoy. Think about how you can incorporate easy movement like jumping, stomping, balancing, twisting, stretching or throwing into an activity.

Maybe a Curious George course where you pretend to climb a tree, “swing” through the vines by jumping, toss the yellow hat on the man, etc.

And while this one is totally done on sidewalks, if you don’t have access to that much sidewalk you could do it with signs marked in the grass or even just calling out actions to kids while they run around the playground.

Or do it inside with tape and signs, if it’s still too hot to think about going outside but you want to get those kids moving today.

[Photo: Chick Link]

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