Does someone on your “nice list” love math? Well, have no fear, our holiday gift guide is here. Let us help you find that perfect gift for the math-y people in your life!
BOOKS
Storybooks provide a rich opportunity to build not only literacy skills, but also math understanding. Books with math concepts woven into the pictures and storylines can promote children’s mathematical thinking and introduce foundation math concepts such as numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurement. Asking questions and making observations about the math found in picture books can support children’s curiosity and enjoyment of math.
Explore our list of recommended pictures books organized by math topic.
Adding and Subtracting
Quack and Count by Keith Baker
Elevator Magic by Stuart J. Murphy
Albert Adds Up by Eleanor May
Counting
Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell
Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert
Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
Shape
The Shape of Things by Dayle Ann Dodds
Circus Shapes by Staurt J. Murphy
The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
GAMES
Math is not just about numbers and formulas, and games is one way your child can experience the beauty of math all around us. There are many fun card games that integrate deeper mathematical thinking into the gameplay. Here’s a list of go-to card games for engaging students in math through games, who knows maybe your child has tried a few of them out with their instructors and can teach you a thing or two.
Ninety-Nine or Bust Game
Get everyone together for a quick game that is a fun, strategic game for all. Everyone can play and it never gets old. Played in two short rounds involving simple addition. Think fast, because if your score goes higher than 99, you bust! Any player who cannot keep the count at, or below 99 loses the round. This game is fast action and teaches quick addition skills. Simple and easy to understand, play again and again.
24 Game
Build strong mental-mathematics and problem solving skills. The object of the game is to “make” 24. You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Players must use all four numbers on a card, but can only use each number once. There is at least one solution to every card. Get students to work on their mental math skills, achieve fluency, and recognize multiple ways to solve problems - all from one game!
Set
A card game where each card contains four attributes, each attribute takes on one of three possible values. The four attributes are: number, color, shape, and shading. The goal of the game is to find sets (hence the game’s name) of three cards. This game will strengthen your child’s ability to identify patterns and think critically.
MISCELLANEOUS
The coolest of math-cats are subtle about their love of math when they sprinkle the numbers and equations artfully about their home. These home goods are bound to impress the discerning math visitor.
Who doesn’t want the Founding Father of Relativity hanging out with them in their home or office? This decorative pottery planter brings a bit of whimsy and personality to any locale.
Math Equations and Notations Clock
This clock is an hourly reminder of the wonder of math.
