Simon Says “Geometry!”

Use your arms to make the shapes when Simon tells you to e.g. porohita/circle; tapatoru/triangle; rārangi/a straight line. If you need to, join with someone else to make your shape.

Round the World

Stand in a circle with a ball (or some other item) and decide on a pāngarau problem that requires a response e.g. counting in 2’s, 5’s, 10’s or adding on 5 from the original number e.g. 1 + 5, the response will be 6. When each person receives the ball they have to say the next number.

Number Mat

Draw a grid on a big piece of material or paper (3x3). Write some simple addition or multiplication equations in each box. Use a stone or small bean bag to throw onto the grid. Whichever box you land on is the equation you must answer.

Cards

Using everyday playing cards, deal 5 cards to each player. Each player lays 2 cards down, then subtracts the lower number from the higher, or adds the two cards together. (Ace = 1, Jack = 11, Queen = 12, King =13).

Kēmu Pāngarau

Here are some more easy games to use when practising maths with your tamariki.

Meka Matua