Addition can be tricky to teach, so making addition practice hands-on and engaging is important! Kindergarteners need to practice the concept of addition through hands-on application, rather than the drill and kill of addition facts. The act of combining two groups of real life objects together will help them understand the big picture of what is happening- two smaller groups are combining together to create one larger group.
1. Addition Machine
I always introduce the concept of addition to my kids with this addition machine. This one is a DIY that my teammate made me with some PVC pipe and a snack container. Students take turns putting manipulatives into the top of the addition machine and then counting them all together to find the sum.
2. Ladybug Addition
In this activity, students will roll a dice two times and put the corresponding number of “dots” on each one of the ladybug’s wings. Then, they will add the dots on the two wings together to find the sum of the two numbers. (Ladybug addition is *free* right here!)
3. Giant Number Line
Using a real life number line is so effective in teaching students how to add using a number line. Make a number line on your floor by simply writing numbers on pieces of paper, or printing out numbers from the computer. Have a student stand on one number, and “add” by walking along the number line. You can pair this with addition stories or equations.
4. Addition Kindergarten Game Show
This interactive game can be played independently on a computer or iPad, or as a whole group on a SmartBoard (you can even play it as a virtual lesson over Google Meet!). Students will practice their addition facts with this self-checking “game show.” They can even add manipulatives for more hands-on fun!
5. Magic Dice
Need to get some extra energy out? Break out the magic dice! Create your “magic dice” by filling an empty water bottle with water, a few drops of food coloring, and two dice. (You can even add some glitter if you want to get really magical.) Students will shake up the bottle and watch the dice settle. They will add the two numbers that their dice land on.
Bring on the Games!
There are so many ways to incorporate hands-on games when teaching addition to your students. If you’re looking for more, here are some previous posts where I’ve shared how I introduce addition in my classroom and some other games that we play!
Resources for you
Ready to have some hands-on fun with addition games right now? Click here to download the ladybug addition game for free!
And if you’re looking to add some technology into your classroom, I’ve got you covered! Click here to grab the addition version of the Kindergarten Game Show!
