Summer Math Games for Kids

I know the last thing most kids want to do during the summer is anything that feels like school, but the truth is doing little things to reinforce the learning they did the previous year will make the next year easier for them.

Also true: you can make this learning fun by turning it into game time.

These printable math puzzles from Living Life and Learning are great to use in the car when you’re on a road trip, or just any time you need a little activity to pass the time. They involve adding numbers up to 10 and include cute summer-themed graphics as well as the numbers.

Help the bee get back to the hive with math in these math maze puzzles from Artsy Fartsy Mama. There are versions for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division for kids of different levels to enjoy.

Of course math games are even more fun if you take them outside. Hopscotch is a classic outdoor game that can be easily made about math. Just one idea is this skip counting hopscotch idea from Math Geek Mama. Have the kids fill in the numbers and them count them off as they jump. She also has a fun jumping math maze that looks like a lot of fun.

Look We’re Learning has some more fun ideas for math games you can play outside including a beanbag toss, counting treasure hunt and sidewalk chalk math.

Some days it’s too hot to go outside so you might need some indoor math games to play. Math Geek Mama also has a great collection of Lego math games and activities for kids of all ages. Primary Playground has games you can play with Uno cards to learn about numbers, sort colors and more.

Older kids will enjoy the math games using dominoes from Upper Elementary Snapshots.

Take your math learning on the go with these math themed cootie catchers from 123 Homeschool 4 Me. There are lots of options here including ones just with numbers, with math problems or that ask you to double numbers. Inside numbers are presented as hash marks, fingers or dots to add an extra layer of fun.

All About Me Math Themed Sheets

Animal Measuring Math Center Activity

Christmas Math Activities for Preschoolers [Lesson Plans]

Christmas Themed Math Activities [Lesson Plans]

Explaining Dia de Los Muertos to kids can be difficult because most of us don’t generally talk about death or what happens when we die a lot with our kids. But Dia de los Muertos is actually a happy, not scary occasion that allows us to remember loved ones, share stories and come together as a community.

While it is mostly celebrated by people of Mexican heritage, the day has become more well known thanks to movies and other media representations. And there are some great children’s books to help explain and allow you to celebrate the holiday if you want.

Dia de Muertos by Jaque Jours, illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (48 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by words & pictures, suggested retail price $14.99) tells the story of a family getting their ofrenda (altar for the dead) ready and how they remember people who have died through decorations, food and sharing stories.

It covers the classic decorations and rituals of Dia de los Muertos including using cempasúchil (in English we call them marigolds) and papel picado (cut paper banners), pan de muerto and la catrina, the elaborately dressed, skull faced women that are a common site at Dia de los Muertos gatherings.

The back of the book explores how the day is celebrated throughout Mexico as well as the meanings of different symbols. There’s a recipe for pan de muerto, a tutorial for making papel picado and tips for doing makeup to look like like la catrina/el catrin.

Want to try more traditional foods? The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook is a companion to The Dia de Los Muertos Story, both of which are by Andrea Jáuregui de la Torre and illustrated by Laura González (52 pages, hardcover paper over boards, published 2026 by becker & meyer kids!, suggested retail price $19.99).

The book opens with some discussion of the meaning of Dia de los Muertos and why food is an important part of the day. The recipes included are easy enough for kids to make with minimal help, and all based on food memories from her childhood.

There are recipes for hibiscus iced tea, Mexican corn and salsa, tortillas, molletes (open faced sandwiches with beans and cheese), jicama fries and sugar skulls to name a few.

Other activities in the book include papel picado, coffee filter marigolds, making your own playlist and making an ofrenda.

Together these books give young readers insight into this holiday that might be new or confusing to them, while also giving you a chance to get in the kitchen together and make your own Dia de los Muertos memories.

Have you read?

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