Bouncing Math

Ages: 3 y/o - 2nd Grade

Purpose: The purpose for this activity is to bring fun and enjoyment while doing math. Adding movement to an activity can help them stay focused longer, easier recollection and make it more enjoyable. 

Supplies:

•  Bouncing ball (optional)
•  Visual Counting Aid
•  Space for Bouncing
  

Directions: You will need a good amount of space for bouncing. If you don't own a bouncy ball that's fine, I will provide alternatives. First decide how many problems you want to do and make sure you have that many visual counting aids. Have them start in the middle of the open space. Tell them a math problem and what ever the answer is will how many tomes they bounce. For addition, bounce forward and for subtraction, bounce backwards. If they bounce the correct amount of times in the right direction, they get a point. If they bounce the wrong direction or don't bounce the correct number then you get a point. If they bounce out of turn you also get a point. at the end of the game the person with the most points wins. While going backwards please be careful if you are using the sitting bouncing ball. 

Tips: If you don't have a sitting bouncing ball you can use a basketball, volleyball, bouncy ball or kickball. If you don't own any of  those, have them just hop, which will still keeps them active. 

If you would like to make it competitive for siblings or even friends, here is a more competitive options that you can do.

Bouncing Math Race - Have them start far back side by side and have two people providing the math problems. You won't need space for bouncing backwards just bouncing forward. Make the problems a little more difficult if you can. Both players are to answer the same problems, but each player is responsible for answering correctly, bouncing the correct amount of times as quickly they can and getting to the finish line first. Once they get used to the game, you could make it to where if they bounce an incorrect amount of times they have to go back tot he starting line. Tip: If you aren't using a sitting bouncing ball then to ensure not cheating make them walk. they can walk fast, they can't run. 

Make sure when you start that you give them a few problem they will easily get. This is to ensure they don't get discouraged at the start of the game. Also for the first couple of problems, I repeat and emphasize what I'm saying to ensure they are fully listening.

Explaining what they did incorrectly helps them learn from their mistakes, fully understand what they did wrong so that they can make the correction on their own next time.

This game can be so much fun, full of laughs and exercise. Have a bouncing good time!