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33 Math Games For 5th Graders: Online And Offline Ideas

December 7, 2023 //  by  Lauren Du Plessis

Our engaging, educator-created games help foster learning in a fun and unique manner. The world of education is ever-changing and teachers have had to come up with new techniques in order to keep their students engaged throughout class time. Simplify challenging concepts with our list of fun math games that have been specially designed for the 5th-grade classroom.

Looking for fun and educational kits for kids? Check out our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids

1. Math Agent

This online card game has three different difficulty levels which will allow your learners to practice all addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at an appropriate level. It will also help them develop an understanding of more complex concepts such as exponents, surface area, and more!

Learn More: Common Sense Media

2. Dolphin Feed

This fun game will give your students a chance to put concepts of money into practice. Your kids will simply have to race against the clock and other players to be the first to select coins and bills that add up to a predetermined amount.

Learn More: Math Game Time

3. Back 2 Back

This competitive game gives your kids a fun incentive to practice their mental addition and subtraction, with very minimal setup. Select one student to be the caller, and then divide the rest of your class into two teams. Have the opposing team members stand back to back and each write a number on the board. The caller can then shout out the sum of the two numbers—and the team members must race to see if they can figure out their opponent’s number!

Learn More: Laura Candler

4. Math Mystery

Deep Sea Math Mystery is a clever puzzle that will help your students develop algebraic reasoning. They’ll need to work with basic equations at an introductory level in order to figure out the answers.

Learn More: Math Playground

5. Order Decimals

This online game requires that your 5th-graders place decimals (up to thousandths) in order on the place value chart. It’s a sure way of helping them become adept at identifying and differentiating between decimals of increasing and decreasing value.

Learn More: Splash Learn

6. Two Truths and a Lie

These fun worksheets turn a classic game into a clever math exercise! Each sheet depicts an image and makes three statements about it—two of which are true, and one of which is a lie. Your students will have to analyze the statements in conjunction with the pictures depicted above them in order to reveal the lie.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

Related Post: 50 Educational Fraction Games For Kids

Here’s an upbeat learning game that lets your kiddos practice 5th grade math skills, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This enjoyable game will reward your students by giving them Bingo Bugs as an added bonus!

Learn More: ABCya!

8. Arithmetic

Invite your students to build various equations with this online game! Questions are presented at the bottom of the screen and your class can work individually, in pairs, or in groups in order to complete the activity successfully.

9. Math Facts

This is an easy game that only requires math fact flashcards based on the basic math skill or skills that your learners are practicing. Divide everyone into groups of 2-4 before giving each participant an equal number of flashcards. To play the game, your students will sit in a circle and each place their top card into the center. Whoever’s card results in the highest sum wins the round!

10. Decimal Detective

Nancy Drew, are you there? Let your 5th graders play the role of detectives in this online math game. They’ll be given hints to guess the correct numbers with the help of good reasoning skills that will need to be employed to do so!

Learn More: Turtle Diary

11. The Legend of Golden Pizza

In this creative online game, your students will hunt for eight pieces of golden pizza and learn about fractions while fighting off pizza zombies and aliens along the way!

Learn More: Mr. Nussbaum

12. Number Conundrum

In Number Conundrum, your students will be challenged to work with decimal numbers;  employing problem-solving skills to correctly input the values into the table and fill up the pyramid. Their only clue? Each number must be a result of the sum of the two numbers below it.

13. Sushi Fractions

Introduce your students to this delicious way of learning fractions! This game will challenge them to correctly “draw” a variety of fractions while creating sushi platters based on specific orders they’ll receive from customers at a restaurant.

14. Tug Team Tractors

Get your kiddos to practice multiplication with the help of this nifty online game! In this virtual tug of war, your students must work to pull the opposing team over the halfway mark.  They’ll do this by solving multiplication questions that pop onto the screen—with every correct answer earning them a tug of the rope!

15. Volume of Solids

One of the more advanced math concepts to grasp is that of volume. This virtual game seeks to help your students grasp volume by representing it visually and challenging them to estimate the volume of the objects. 

16. Flipping Pancake Fractions

What is it about food and fractions that just go together so well? This pancake-themed game will give your learners a new way to look at fractions—as a number of smaller items rather than part of a whole. Flipping Pancake Fractions will challenge them to flip over the correct number of pancakes to represent the presented fraction.

Learn More: Education

17. Ratio Martian

This game provides an early introduction to ratios. This martian is hungry—and he only eats ratios! If your students want him to survive, they’ll need to identify and select ratios from among the various number forms that pop up on the screen in order to feed him.

Related Post: 33 Fun 4th Grade Math Games

18. Matific

This colorful, app-based game will allow your students to increase their confidence in volume and capacity, time, place value, fractions, and more! Talk about the full spectrum of math-related practice.

Learn More: Google Play

19. Geometry Explorer

Let’s embark on a geometric journey! Guide your students through the intriguing world of shapes, angles, and lines. Geometry Explorer aims to turn abstract concepts into a hands-on experience by allowing your learners to virtually manipulate different shapes; awakening their curiosity and developing their spatial awareness simultaneously. 

Learn More: Gustavus Adolphus College

20. Fraction Fiesta

Throw a fraction party with Fraction Fiesta! These worksheets will challenge your students to add and subtract different denominators. Fractions have never been so festive!

Learn More: Teach This

21. Time Travel Times Tables

Who doesn’t want to time travel? With Time Travel Times Tables, your kids will journey through eras and master multiplication tables. How neat- they’ll navigate different historical periods while reinforcing key math skills. 

Learn More: Twinkl

22. P.I.R.A.T.E. The Probability Game

Ahoy there, educators! Set sail on the stormy seas of probability with this probability-themed board game. Choosing the right options, gathering treasures, and outwitting rival pirates will turn statistics into a swashbuckling adventure for your 5th graders. 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers  

23. Division Derby

Race to the finish line with Division Derby! Your students will gallop ahead by answering division questions; ultimately combining competition with mathematical mastery in this multiplayer game. 

Learn More: Arcademics

24. Perimeter Patrol

Build the future of architecture with this online perimeter game! Your students will use the available numbers to calculate unknown sections of perimeters; successfully merging the classroom with real-world applications. 

25. The Great Decimal Adventure

Journey through the enchanting world of decimals with Death to Decimals! Your students can join forces with Fraction Man—a superhero who must save the world from horrible, parachuting decimal aliens by converting them to harmless fractions. 

Learn More: Mr. Nus s baum

26. Money Match-Up

 This popular online game will challenge your learners to make sales in their make-believe shop by providing change to their customers—as quickly and accurately as they can! The best part? You can tailor the game to your students’ abilities by adjusting the multiple difficulty levels and turning on an option to receive hints.

27. Area Explorer

Explore space and shape with Area Explorer! Your students will manipulate and measure shapes- delving into the concept of area with this highly visual experience. 

Learn More: Toy Theater

28. Meteor Multiplication

This space-themed multiplication game will turn practice into an exciting intergalactic mission. Your pupils will need to shoot down the meteor with the multiplication question that corresponds to the number in the center. With multiple playing speeds, it’s easy to ensure that your learners get the level of practice that’s just right for them. 

29. Tangram Teasers

Get puzzled with Tangram Teasers! Promoting spatial awareness and geometric reasoning, empower your students to create specific shapes with tangram pieces. Geometry will quickly become a game of creativity and insight; transforming learning into an interactive experience with these cool shapes in your teaching toolkit.

Learn More: Mathematics Centre

30. Ratio Rumble

Brew up some fun with Ratio Rumble! Your students will explore proportional relationships as they mix potions with mystical and magical elements. The ratios get more complicated as the game progresses and your players master new levels of difficulty.

Learn More: Math Snacks

31. Estimation Expedition

 Your students will love learning how to apply this clever trick for estimating distances—it’s like a mathematical party trick! Guide your pupils in using their thumbs and perspective to estimate how far away an object is. You can measure out their estimates and challenge them to compete to see who is most accurate!

Learn More: Math Is Fun

32. Pick the Primes

Help yourself to a basketful of prime numbers in Pick the Primes! This game challenges your kids to “pick” the prime numbers out of a larger pool—as quickly as they can! The simple concept does wonders at providing effective practice in a lighthearted format. 

Learn More: Transum  

33. Fraction Frenzy

This is a great way to teach fractions to your more tactile learners. This colorful set features blocks that break apart into pieces labeled with the appropriate fractions. The real-world representation is a great way to help your kids understand equivalent fractions as well as the division of fractions.

Learn More: Pacon

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10 Fun 5th Grade Math Games to Help You Learn

General Education

Looking for a fun and effective way to reinforce the math skills learned in 5th grade? Try playing a game! Games are a great way to solidify the key lessons fifth graders learn in the classroom while also having fun.

In this article, we'll talk about the key skills students learn in fifth grade, why games are so important for mastering those skills, and give you a list of 10 games you can start playing right now.

Key Math Skills Learned in 5th Grade

Fifth graders put together the skills they've learned throughout elementary school to solve complex problems using complex numbers. While they work on building their fluency for these skills, they also learn how to apply them to real-world problems about time, measurement, and money.

Most states in the United States have their own unique educational standards, but the basic fifth grade math curriculum and the skills fifth graders learn are fairly standard. Fifth graders learn:

• How to divide whole numbers with and without remainders
• How to make connections between decimals, fractions, and percentages
• How to multiply and divide fractions
• How to compute the area and volume of basic geometric shapes like rectangles and squares

Fifth graders will also start to investigate basic algebraic equations, as well as the relationship between circumference and diameter.

Each of these skills can be reinforced with games to help students master them.

How 5th Grade Math Games Can Help Master Key Skills

Games are a great way to help students learn key skills. There has been tons of research about how effective games are in helping students not only learn how to master a concept, but also have a safe space to explore and fail. Here are a few reasons why 5th grade math games should be an important part of your student's practice:

Games are a fun way to practice. Fun math games for 5th grade students help them practice needed skills in a way that feels fun, not frustrating. Students won't feel like they're wasting their time learning, they'll feel engaged and excited about their practice.

Games teach important skills. Games are a great way to introduce new skills to students. A 5th grade math game about basketball, for instance, can be a good way to get students to think about diameter or circumference before actually teaching them the skill. Likewise, once students have learned about a skill in the classroom, games can help them apply the skill in a real world setting. Aside from the educational skills students learn, games also teach students how to deal with failure, work together, and overcome obstacles.

Games form positive memories of learning. Learning math can be frustrating for a lot of kids. If they experience failure or frustration learning in the classroom, games are a great way to reclaim their sense of worth and help them actually have while learning.

5 Fun Math Games for 5th Grade You Can Play in the Classroom

There are tons of fun math games for 5th grade students that you can play in the classroom. Here are ten of the best.

#1: Multiplication/Division War

Students will build fluency with multiplication and division problems by working to figure out which student has the highest sum or product quickly. This is a great way to reinforce the basic skills students need for other 5th grade math problems.

All you need for this game is a few sets of math fact flash cards. For fifth graders, use multiplication or division cards.

Link to detailed instructions here .

#2: The Amazing Equation Game

This game helps students become more familiar with basic algebraic in a fun, competitive way. Students will learn to get comfortable with variables like letters standing in for numbers, as well as figuring out how to manipulate equations.

For this game, you'll need scrap paper and pencils for your students and white paper (or index cards) and markers to prepare the game.

#3: Percent Flash

Students will learn how to easily calculate percentages. They'll pull a card and add a "0" to the end. For instance, if they pull a "2" card, they'll be working with 20%. Then, they'll roll the dice and calculate the percentage of the numbers they rolled. This game will help students become more excited about percents.

For this game, you'll need a deck of cards, dice, one calculator per player, paper, and pencils.

#4: Graph Puzzles

Geometric shapes can make many students uneasy. This 5th grade math game can help students become more confident with their graphing skills. Students will learn to draw shapes using positive and negative numbers and ordered pairs to create fun shapes—just like solving a puzzle.

For this game, you'll need graph paper, pencils, and rulers.

#5: Lego Area and Perimeter

This skill teaches students the basics of figuring out area and perimeter for rectangular shapes. You'll have students to figure out area and perimeter by placing the legos on the graph paper and counting the squares.

For this game, you'll need small legos, graph paper, a pencil, and paper.

5 5th Grade Math Games Online

There are tons of 5th grade math games online that your student can play. Here are five 5th grade math games online that cover a wide variety of 5th grade math skills.

#1: Multiplying Fractions Soccer Game

This game has student solve fraction problems in order to have the chance to score a goal for their soccer team. The game has students interpret the products of different fraction multiplication problems.

The game is great because it can be played on computers and tablets without installation and can be played alone or in teams. It's fun for students to kick the soccer goals, but the game is more about the math than the soccer.

#2: Papa's CupCakeria

This game helps students persevere in the face of problems, as well as manipulate fractions. The student has to fulfill cupcake orders and work quickly to staunch the flow of customers in a shop.

This game is fun, with brightly colored graphics and a fun soundtrack. It can only be played on a computer, which limits the number of students that can interact with it, and it's focused more on real-world problem solving than fractions, with students spending more energy balancing fulfilling order than actually figuring out the fractions.

#3: Math Games

This online math game database has tons of different practice problems built into an online platform. You can practice basically every skill your fifth grader will need to master during the year, broken down into standards.

This database is great because it has hundreds of problems for every single 5th grade math skill. Unfortunately, the skills are more drills than games — they're really just straight practice. Still, this is a great way to get lots of practice on lots of skills in quickly.

#4: Boat Coordinates

This fun and simple online math game has you help navigate a boat down a river full of obstacles by selecting the proper coordinates to steer to in four quadrants.

This game is great because it can be customized to a single quadrant or four quadrants to help students master the skills at different levels. This is a solid game for many students, with the one caveat that it has to be played on a desktop, not an app.

#5: Algebra Meltdown

 The game starts simple but gets increasingly difficult as it progresses.

Unfortunately, the game isn't responsive to student progress, so it gets more difficult whether or not your student is ready for it. However, a student who does well at linear equations will find this game fun and challenging.

There are thousands of 5th grade math games that you can use to reinforce math skills for your student. You can play games online or in-person—either way, the games will help them learn while having fun.

What's Next?

Before you play some of these games, you'll need to know some basics about graphing. Learn about the four graph quadrants (and where numbers are positive/negative) here !

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

Are you learning about logarithms and natural logs in math class? We have a guide on all the natural log rules you need to know.

Did you know that water has a very special density? Check out our guide to learn what the density of water is and how the density can change.

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Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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5th Grade Math Activities

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Chloe Campbell Education

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5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom – Fun Activities

by Chloe Campbell Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that games are a huge part of the classroom. In 5th grade, math games are a hit with my students, and the games get them learning new math skills and practicing spiraled skills without even realizing it. They’re just having so much fun during math class! 

I use 5th grade math games for the classroom all the time after teaching my whole group math lessons. Sometimes we play teacher vs. class (or whole class math games also work), and other times I use these games in small groups. When my kids know how to play a game, I have left the game in my sub plans as well. 

Fifth graders love a good game, and the research tells us that gamification of our content is one of the best ways for our students to learn. I mean, who doesn’t love multiplying whole numbers in a fun way? Here are some of the reasons I use fifth grade math games in my 5th grade classroom.

5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom: MATH GAMES INCREASE ENGAGEMENT

When I get to use 5th grade math games in my classroom, it’s always a hit because of the high engagement with my students. Concepts that my kids groan about, like multiplying fractions , is usually met with groans and moans. However, when I tell them we’re practicing this skill with fun math games, those moans and groans turn into cheers! 

My students want to earn points and win the game, so they are entirely motivated to answer more questions. It’s a win-win for me and my students as they get solid math practice in during our class.

Games make math fun!

5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom: GAMES HAVE BUILT-IN FEEDBACK FOR STUDENTS

One thing that can exaggerate a student’s misconceptions of a math skill is when they’re working on an assignment and keep making mistakes, but no one is available to help or intervene. Before you know it, they’ve completed all of the math problems the wrong way, and they’ve reinforced the skill incorrectly in their mind.

When we play 5th grade classroom math games, one of my management procedures I teach is making sure kids are helping each other and checking each other’s work. It’s easy to look at a peer’s work and say, “Haha, they got it wrong, I get a point!”. However, that’s not the goal of a math game. We work together on math games , and 5th grade students are coached to step in and provide help and hints when the student they are playing against makes an error. This is a great way to reinforce SEL skills as well!

For example, when we play the Dividing Fractions Game , both students calculate the value of the number, even if it’s not their turn. This way, we’re all practicing the skill and we’re able to provide support to each other and find the correct answer to the problem! This is the perfect way to keep the kids engaged during the whole game instead of staring at the other person while they complete their calculations.

5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom: GAMES CAN BE DIFFERENTIATED

Depending on the needs of my 5th graders, I can differentiate each of the 5th grade math games to make them more accessible or more challenging. One easy way to do this is by assigning partners based on formative assessment data (such as an exit ticket from the lesson). 

When we play our Order of Operations game , I purposefully pair kids up based on how much scaffolding they need. For example, some of my kids are ready for brackets and other grouping symbols, so I’ll have them work together. Other kids are going to need support to use parentheses correctly, and I’ll pair them up (with me nearby, of course!)

Another easy way to differentiate games is to give varied stopping points on the game board. For example, if I have students who are struggling with a grade level concept and/or work more slowly than peers, I’ll change where the game ends to lower their anxiety and frustration level. After all, a frustrated kid isn’t going to be learning!

5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom: GAMES REDUCE MATH ANXIETY

Ohhh, the number of kids I’ve worked with over the years who have math anxiety is high! I have heard so many kids say things like “I hate math!” or “I’m just not a math person.” This is usually in response to math worksheets, so adding 5th grade math games to your lesson plans is going to be one way you can change their mindset on this.

Games have a natural sense of fun and silliness to them, so when kids are playing math games, they immediately walk into the experience more relaxed. Even when frustration begins to mount, I remind students that “It’s just a game”! 

Games really do help kids see just how much of a math person they are, and they can fall in love with math while playing a great game and having fun! Your entire class will benefit from math games.

5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom: GAMES HELP STUDENTS PRACTICE AND REINFORCE SKILLS

5th grade math games transform repetitive practice into an engaging activity. Traditional methods, like worksheets and drills, can become monotonous and don’t capture my students’ interest. However, when I use game format, students are more likely to engage willingly. The enjoyable nature of games keeps students motivated and attentive, ensuring they practice key math skills without the process feeling tedious.

For example, adding and subtracting fractions is one of those skills that 5th graders just need to practice. There’s no way around it. But when we have these problems in a game format, students can practice the skills and reinforce strategies to solve problems.

Games also help reinforce problem-solving skills, especially when they get to practice their math skills in real-world problems.

Using 5th grade math games in the classroom is a game changer. You can even send these math games home for extra practice. I hope that you’re able to take at least one of these fun game ideas and run with it in your classroom!

If you want all of the engaging games for the entire year of 5th grade curriculum, including skills like understanding the coordinate plane and ordered pairs, finding equivalent fractions, operations with decimal numbers, place value, numerical expressions, and more, you can grab it by clicking the image below.

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Our grade 5 math worksheets cover the 4 operations, fractions and decimals at a greater level of difficulty than previous grades. We also introduce variables and expressions into our word problem worksheets .  

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Math Games For Your Grade 5 Students: Fun, Free Math Activities (No Screens Required!)

Vanessa Sipple-Asher

Math games for grade 5 are a great way to vary class time. In 5th grade math, children are expected to work with larger numbers for the 4 operations. They are introduced to algebra and the coordinate plane for the first time, while the concept of numerical patterns is extended. Fifth grade children are also able to cope with slightly more complex game play and games can be a great form of math practice. 

When to use math games in fifth grade

Fifth grade is an important year for developing math skills and setting children on the right path before middle school. As lessons can be slightly more rigorous than those of 3rd grade or 4th grade, it’s important to break up lesson time with some fun math activities. 

Fifth grade math games can be a great way to start a lesson, get children focused on the material right as they enter the classroom, and they can also be a good lesson closer or exit ticket to summarize the day’s learning. 

• Math games for grade 2
• Math games for grade 3
• Math games for grade 4

17 Fun Math Games and Activities Pack for 5th Grade

Printable math games and activities for your 5th grade students to complete independently or with a partner.

How to use these 5th grade math games

We hope that this collection of fun math games can be an extra tool in your teaching toolbelt. Repetition is an important part of learning and these free math games provide another opportunity to cover new content as well as revisit past topics in a different way. We hope that these educational games will be enjoyed by you and your young learners. 

All games can be modified to cater to different levels, numbers can be simplified by using one or two-digit whole numbers or providing students with a number line, or be made more challenging by incorporating decimal numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, exponents, etc. 

Algebra 3 in a row

Algebra is a topic children sometimes perceive to be difficult. This 5th grade math game builds children’s confidence with algebra.

What you will need to play:

• Algebra game board (see downloadable resources)
• Equations list (see downloadable resources)
• 20 counters (2 colors)
• 2 dice (can be just 1)
• Algebra game board and list of equations (shown below)

How to play:

• The first player throws both dice.
• With the 2 numbers generated, they decide which number will represent ‘a’ and which number will represent ‘b’
• They then choose one of the 6 equations, using the 2 numbers generated to represent a and b. 
• They work out the answer and cover the number with a counter.
• The next player does the same.
• Players take it in turns, until one player has positioned 3 counters in a row. They are the winner.

This is a good math game to play with 5th graders. It works well in small groups or as a whole class activity and encourages players to think deeply in order to identify calculations which will get them to the target number.

• 2 or more players
• 4 ‘large number’ cards – 25, 50, 75, 100
• 2 sets of 1-10 cards 
• Set out the large number cards face down in one pile and the small number cards face down in another pile.
• Players take it in turns to choose a card from either the small or the large number piles and place it face down on the table.
• Once there are 6 cards face up on the table, the target number needs to be generated
• The target number can be generated by picking 3 number cards from a pile of 0-9 cards.
• Once the number has been generated, children have 2 minutes to try and reach that total using the 6 cards selected.
• Children can use any calculation using the 6 numbers, but each number can only be used once.
• The winner is the first person to reach the target number or the person to have the closest answer after 2 minutes.

Fractions and decimals game

Fifth graders expand on previous fractions work. They are expected to recognize equivalent fractions and decimals. This game will help children practice this.

• A set of fraction and decimal cards (shuffled- see downloadable resources)

• Place the shuffled pile of cards face down on the table.
• Take turns to flip over a card. If 2 cards are turned over with matching fractions/ decimals, e.g. 0.1 and 1/10, then the first player to call out ‘snap’ and put their hand on the pile gets to keep all the cards put down so far.
• The winner is the player at the end of the game with the most pairs of cards.
• This game can be made more challenging by using decimals up to thousandths. This is also good practice for studying place value. 

Multiplying fractions game

This is a great game for studying unit fractions. Children can add, multiply, and subtract fractions, giving them lots of practice handling this often challenging topic. 

• A set of 1-9 cards.
• Blank fractions sheet (see downloadable resources) 

• Each player has a blank fractions page.
• Take turns to throw the dice and each player decides which box on their sheet to put the number in
• Once four numbers have been generated and all 4 boxes contain a number, each player multiplies, adds, or subtracts their fractions (vary the operation being used). 
• The player who has made the greatest fraction scores 2 points. 
• If both players make the same sized fraction, each player scores 1 point.
• The winner is the first player to reach 10 points.

Mental math games

Mental math games are great for practicing a range of mental math concepts, without requiring resources or time to set up. They can be used as a quick warm up at the start of a lesson, a fun way to consolidate learning at the end of a lesson, or as a time filler at any point in the day.

Math, paper, scissors

This math game requires no set-up and can be used for addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

• 2 players 
• Both players stand facing each other.
• Similar to the traditional game of ‘rock, paper, scissors,’ players hold one hand out in front but this time call out ‘math, paper, scissors.’ On ‘scissors,’ they hold out any number of fingers.
• Players then have to race to add together the number of fingers they are holding out to the number of fingers the other player is holding out.
• The winner is the first player to call out the total.
• This can be adapted by having both children use 2 hands to make larger numbers. 
• The game can also be played as a subtraction game, subtracting the smallest from the biggest number or a multiplication game, multiplying the 2 numbers together.
• Add a third child to make the game more challenging with three digit multiplication, addition, or subtraction.

This is a fun times table game and good for practicing the instant recall of multiplication facts. It can be adapted to suit other mental math skills, such as number bonds, quick addition/subtraction of 2 digit numbers, fractions, etc.

• 2 players at a time, but a whole class game.
• 2 players stand at the front of the classroom back to back, cowboy shootout style.
• The teacher or the game leader calls out a multiplication fact, for example ‘what is 8 x 3?’
• The first player to turn, face their opponent, shout ‘bang bang’ and give the answer wins the round.
• Another member of the class then comes out to the front as ‘the challenger.’
• The winner is the last person standing once time runs out.

The yes / no game

This is another quick and easy game to set up and can again be played at any time, when there’s a spare few minutes. 

What you need to play:

• 2 or more players. 
• One player thinks of a number between 0 and 100.
• The aim for the other player (or the rest of the class, if playing as a whole class) is to ask questions to work out the number.
• The questions can only have the answer: ‘yes’ or ‘no’
• For example, the number could be 52. Questions players might ask could be: ‘Is it an odd number?’ ‘Is it over 30?’ ‘Can it be divided by 3?’ etc….
• The winner is the player to have worked out the mystery number with the fewest number of questions asked. 

This simple strategy game can be played in small groups or as a whole class activity. The game is great for getting children to think ahead and use problem solving to identify the best strategy to use.

• Players take turns to count, starting from 1
• Each player calls out 1, 2, or 3 consecutive numbers before it moves to the next player to carry on counting up.
• The player who ends up saying ’21’ is out of the game.
• The game then continues, counting back from 1 to 21, until there is only one person left: the winner.

More mental math resources

• 33 Mental Math Strategies Every Child Should Know
• Nail Your Number Facts
• Teaching Multiplication Charts In Elementary

Problem solving games

Problem solving games are a great way for children to deepen their mathematical understanding. These math problems require children to think strategically.

The 24 game

This math game is a great problem solving and ‘low floor, high ceiling game,’ as players search for a solution. They can use only the basic calculations to reach the target number, or they can utilize much more complex mathematical calculations.

• A pack of cards (number cards only)
• Shuffle the pack of cards and lay them face down on the table.
• Each player picks a card and turns it face up on the table, until there are 4 cards displayed.
• The aim of the game is to make ’24’ using only the cards on the table and any of the 4 operations.
• For example, if they have a 6, 10, 2, and 6, the solution could be very simple, such as basic addition: 6 + 10 + 2 + 6 = 24
• Older children may include more complex operations involving parentheses. For example, they may have 9, 5, 6, and 9 and solve it by 5 – (9 ÷ 9) x 6 = 24. This is a good way to incorporate order of operations.
• If nobody is able to reach 24, the player who is the closest wins.

Nifty fifty

This math game is good for developing logical thinking and problem solving.

• Set of playing cards Ace to 10 (Ace is worth 1)
• Both players select 4 playing cards. 
• With the 4 cards they have 2 minutes to make a 2-digit + 2-digit number sentence which is closest to 50.
• The number sentence closest to 50 scores 1 point. If the player creates a calculation with exactly 50 as the answer, they earn 2 points.
• The winner is the player with the most points after 5 rounds.

Problem solving game 3: add them up

This is another fun low floor-high ceiling math game for upper elementary grades.

• 3, 4 or 5 players
• Each player takes turns to say a number
• The number called must not be greater than 15 for 3 players, 20 for 4 players and 25 for 5 players.
• At the same time as the number is called, each player puts forward their hand, holding out 1,2,3,4 or 5 fingers.
• If the total of the fingers matches the number called, the player wins two points.
• If they score within 2 of the total, they win one point.
• If the total fingers doesn’t match, but stays below the number called, the player wins 2 points.
• Ask children to think about how else the game could be played. Get them to think about what would happen if they added their other hand in. What would be the maximum number of fingers shown?

5 of a kind

This problem solving game is more suited to children in upper elementary grades.

• 2 or more players.
• A set of cards numbered 2-9
• Shuffle the number cards and place them face down on the table.
• The first player picks one of the cards. 
• This is their ‘5 of a kind’ number, so they can do any calculation they want to, but it can only contain the number 5.
• The aim of the game is to use one or more of the 5 digits to get an answer between one and ten. If for example, the player chose a 7, they would then need to use one or more of the digits to make the answer 1, 2, 3, up to 10. To make 1, they could do 7÷7. To make 2 they could do (7÷7) + (7÷7) etc….
• This is a challenging game, but the winner is the player to achieve the most answers between 1 and 1.

More problem solving resources

Are you looking for more interactive learning games? Take a look at our other collections of math puzzles, games and worksheets. 

• Math Problem Solving Ultimate Guide
• 2 Step and Multi Step Word Problems
• Math Investigations

Hopefully this blog has given you some ideas for math games you could play in your classroom. Most are easy to adapt, to suit any age or the topic you are covering. Don’t just adapt the games yourself. Give children the opportunity to adapt and think up their own rules too.

READ MORE : 26 Whole Class Math Games

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6 Fun 5th Grade Math Games and Activities for the Classroom

Want to make math instruction effective? Make it fun! Think about ways that students can engage with mathematical ideas and think mathematical thoughts, no matter what their interests are or where they are in their mathematical achievement.

Fun 5th Grade Math Activities

Try these fun math games for 5th graders, along with activities, warm-ups, and lesson plans to promote fun math learning in your classroom. When choosing which activities to offer, we thought not only about standards coverage, but also the need to differentiate and ensure access for all of your students.

Activity 1: Venn Diagram Your Class

Key Objective: Students will reason mentally and talk about their thinking as they find percent by participating in a community building activity involving Venn diagrams.

The Venn diagram is more than a math object. It's a way of organizing ideas that span every subject. Students know it and can talk about it. Here's an activity that makes math real for students and can speak to what's important to them.

• Choose 3 categories that your students would be interested in identifying with, for example "Has Dogs," "Has Cats," and "Has Fish." (You can change these to any three categories your students would like. They don't need to be related for this activity to work, but if they are, it promotes richer discussion.)
• Publicly display a Venn diagram of the categories that the students can interact with.

• Students identify where they fall within the Venn diagram. If completing the activity in person, have students write their name on a sticky note and place it in the spot that represents them. If completing the activity remotely, consider using Jamboard or a similar platform.
• Facilitate a discussion around percent. For example, "About what percent of the class do you think uses Instagram?" "What's the exact percent?" "How do you calculate what percent uses either Facebook or Instagram?"

For further details around this activity, read more on the Math Solutions website .

Activity 2: Clear the Board

Key Objective: Students will build number and operation sense by thinking flexibly and considering many possibilities throughout the game to find the solutions to the computation challenge.

Practically every math student would benefit from fluency practice. But steer clear of worksheets of endless calculations. They're a surefire way to turn students off of math! Instead consider this activity that promotes lateral math thinking and has many entry points, allowing students below-, on-, and above-grade level to have a voice and share their thinking.

• Write the numbers 1 through 12 on a board, either physical or digital.
• Roll 3 number cubes until you have 3 different numbers (for example 1, 3, and 5). Cross those three numbers off the board. They're already "cleared."
• Can students clear the remaining 9 numbers only using the results of the rolls? For example, they could clear "9" by showing that 9 = 5 + 3 + 1. They could clear "2" by showing that 2 = (5 + 1) ÷ 3 .
• The activity is flexible. Students could individually compete to clear as many numbers as possible. Or you could call on students one at a time to clear a new number. This allows for students to engage with negative numbers, exponents, or other math concepts no matter where they fall in the curriculum.

Activity 3: Number Strings

Key Objective: Students will apply previous understanding of multiplication to multiply a fraction by a whole number.

This activity , taken from our Math 180 solution, is a quick opportunity (can be as short as 5 minutes!) for formative assessment, along with a fun way to get students thinking and talking about math. Not only does it allow for multiple entry points for students of varying levels, it also facilitates discourse in the math classroom—a key component of mathematical sense-making.

This is a useful activity for discussing mathematical properties. Model for students how they can use vocabulary like the Commutative Property, Associative Property, and Identity Property to explain their reasoning. Ask students how they make these mental calculations, and have them design a similar string of factors.

This activity also facilitates rich mathematical discourse—a key element in developing conceptual understanding, and in turn building fact fluency. Ask what would happen when you change the factor of 7 to 14 or 70? What if you change the denominator to 14 or 70? Use this mathematical expression as a way to instill one of the Habits of Mathematical Thinkers: reasoning abstractly.

Activity 4: Which Does Not Belong?

Key Objective: Students will analyze a set of fractions and mixed numbers to identify which number does not belong in the given set and explain why.

Similar to Activity 3, this activity (also taken from Math 180 ) is a way to get all students to find an entry point and then think and talk about mathematics. Use this to not only facilitate discourse in the math classroom but also formatively assess your students.

Students are tasked with identifying which number, out of a set of five, does not belong. Although 5/4 is the natural answer (it's the only number not equal to 2.5), encourage students who find other answers, such as "2 1/2 because it's the only number with no digit above a 2 in it" to explain and justify their thinking as well.

In terms of Habits of Mathematical Thinkers, this activity requires that students attend to precision. Even though this content generally aligns with fourth grade standards, it would benefit any student as it promotes the urgency of why equivalent fractions are important. Extend this activity by asking for other numbers that would belong to the same set or, more generally, asking how to generate infinitely many new numbers for this set.

Activity 5: Wipeout

Key Objective: Students will be able to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by finding fractional equivalences to solve.

Fraction equivalence is a place where many 5th graders struggle, and understanding it is essential in order to master the 5th grade standard of adding and subtracting unlike fractions.

This game , which is adapted from Lessons for Introducing Fractions: Grades 4–5 by Marilyn Burns , makes fifth grade math games visual and lets students see fractions using pattern blocks. They build out models, and in turn build their understanding of fraction equivalence conceptually before moving to a more abstract understanding.

This game is a powerful way to introduce fraction equivalence at the start of a unit, or it can be used flexibly in a small group or intervention setting as a math workshop rotation.

If your learning is virtual or hybrid, consider using virtual pattern blocks or creating fraction cards and paper pattern block pieces that students can cut at home.

Activity 6: Coordinates Secrecy

Key Objective: Students will understand key vocabulary related to coordinate graphing (coordinates, axes, x, and y), and be able to graph points on a coordinate plane.

Have your students ever played the game Battleship? Well, here's the math version! This game could easily be played either face-to-face or remotely and introduces plotting points on a coordinate graph. For students ready for a more advanced version, extend to all four quadrants.

The teacher instruction in this free downloadable, published in Math Games for Geometry and Measurement by Jamee Petersen , includes ample support around ways to differentiate math instruction , the why behind the game, and ways to discuss strategy. Use this game to not only practice coordinate graphing and geometry, but consciously build vocabulary around the concepts.

Looking for More 5th Grade Classroom Math Games?

These fun math activities for 5th grade are just the tip of the iceberg! We realize it's a never-ending goal of getting all of your students to love and engage with math with an endless number of ways to seek entry points and differentiate instruction.

Try some of our previous posts where we offer 5th grade math games, puzzles, and activities to get your fifth graders' brains churning!

• "100" Math Puzzles
• Math at The Met: Teaching Math with the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Math Activity: In the Chef's Kitchen
• Forgotten Stories of the Oregon Trail: Money Matters

Look no further for free resources to help you teach your 5th graders! Check back often our ever-expanding free resources hub , spanning all subjects and all grades.

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August 16, 2024

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Fifth grade math

IXL offers hundreds of fifth grade math skills, lessons, and games to explore and learn! Not sure where to start? Go to your personalized Recommendations wall to find a skill that looks interesting, or select a skill plan that aligns to your textbook, state standards, or standardized test.

A. Whole numbers and place value

• 1 Convert between standard and expanded form
• 2 Place value
• 3 Relationship between place values
• 4 Write numbers in words
• 5 Spell word names for numbers up to one million
• 6 Roman numerals I, V, X, L, C, D, M

B. Addition and subtraction

• 1 Estimate sums and differences of whole numbers
• 2 Estimate sums and differences: word problems
• 3 Add and subtract whole numbers up to billions
• 4 Add and subtract whole numbers: word problems
• 5 Complete addition and subtraction sentences
• 6 Properties of addition
• 7 Add using properties

C. Powers of ten

• 1 Understanding powers of ten
• 2 Evaluate powers of ten
• 3 Write powers of ten with exponents

D. Multiplication

• 1 Multiplication patterns over increasing place values
• 2 Multiply numbers ending in zeros
• 3 Multiply numbers ending in zeros: word problems
• 4 Multiply a whole number by a power of ten
• 5 Estimate products
• 6 Estimate products: word problems
• 7 Multiply by 1-digit numbers
• 8 Multiply by 1-digit numbers: word problems
• 9 Multiply by 2-digit numbers: complete the missing steps
• 10 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
• 11 Multiply 2-digit numbers by 3-digit numbers
• 12 Multiply 2-digit numbers by larger numbers
• 13 Multiply by 2-digit numbers: word problems
• 14 Multiply by 3-digit numbers
• 15 Properties of multiplication
• 16 Multiply using properties
• 17 Choose numbers with a particular product
• 18 Compare products of whole numbers

E. Division

• 1 Division patterns over increasing place values
• 2 Divide numbers ending in zeros
• 3 Divide numbers ending in zeros: word problems
• 4 Estimate quotients: 2-digit divisors
• 5 Estimate quotients
• 6 Divide multi-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers
• 7 Divide by 1-digit numbers: interpret remainders
• 8 Divide multi-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers: word problems
• • New! Divide by 2-digit numbers: estimate and adjust
• 9 Divide by 2-digit numbers using models
• 10 Divide by 2-digit numbers using partial quotients
• 11 Divide 2-digit and 3-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
• 12 Divide 2-digit and 3-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers: word problems
• 13 Divide 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers
• 14 Divide 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers: word problems
• 15 Adjust quotients
• 16 Relate multiplication and division
• 17 Complete the division sentence: 2-digit divisors
• 18 Choose numbers with a particular quotient

F. Factors, multiples, and divisibility

• 1 Identify factors
• 2 Prime and composite numbers
• 3 Prime factorization
• 4 Divisibility rules
• 5 Divisibility rules: word problems
• 6 Find all the factor pairs of a number
• 7 Least common multiple

G. Mixed operations: whole numbers

• 1 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers
• 2 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers: word problems

H. Numerical expressions

• 1 Write numerical expressions: one operation
• 2 Write numerical expressions: two operations
• 3 Evaluate numerical expressions
• 4 Evaluate numerical expressions with parentheses
• 5 Evaluate numerical expressions with parentheses and brackets
• 6 Identify mistakes involving the order of operations
• 7 Evaluate numerical expressions with parentheses in different places
• • New! Evaluate numerical expressions with fractions
• 8 Missing operators
• 9 Comparison statements with numerical expressions
• 10 Make the largest possible quotient

I. Multi-step word problems

• 1 Write numerical expressions for word problems
• 2 Multi-step word problems
• 3 Multi-step word problems involving remainders
• 4 Multi-step word problems: identify reasonable answers
• 5 Multi-step word problems: multiplicative comparison

J. Fractions and mixed numbers

• 1 Fractions review
• 2 Equivalent fractions
• 3 Write fractions in lowest terms
• 4 Convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers
• 5 Least common denominator
• 6 Round mixed numbers
• 7 Reciprocals

K. Compare fractions

• 1 Graph and compare fractions on number lines
• 2 Compare fractions using benchmarks
• 3 Compare fractions and mixed numbers
• 4 Put fractions in order

L. Add and subtract fractions

• 1 Estimate sums and differences of fractions using benchmarks
• 2 Add fractions with unlike denominators using models
• 3 Add fractions with unlike denominators
• 4 Subtract fractions with unlike denominators using models
• 5 Subtract fractions with unlike denominators
• 6 Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
• 7 Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators: word problems
• 8 Add 3 or more fractions with unlike denominators
• 9 Add 3 or more fractions: word problems
• 10 Complete addition and subtraction sentences with fractions
• 11 Compare sums and differences of fractions

M. Add and subtract mixed numbers

• 1 Estimate sums and differences of mixed numbers
• 2 Add and subtract mixed numbers with unlike denominators: without regrouping
• 3 Add mixed numbers with unlike denominators
• 4 Subtract mixed numbers with unlike denominators
• 5 Add and subtract mixed numbers
• 6 Add and subtract mixed numbers: word problems
• 7 Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers in recipes
• 8 Complete addition and subtraction sentences with mixed numbers
• 9 Compare sums and differences of mixed numbers

N. Understand fraction multiplication

• 1 Multiply fractions by whole numbers: choose the model
• 2 Multiply fractions by whole numbers using models: complete the equation
• 3 Multiply fractions by whole numbers using number lines
• 4 Multiples of fractions: find the missing numbers
• 5 Multiply fractions by whole numbers using arrays
• 6 Fractions of a number: model and multiply
• 7 Multiply two unit fractions using models
• 8 Multiply two fractions using models

O. Multiply fractions and whole numbers

• 1 Multiply fractions by whole numbers I
• 2 Multiply fractions by whole numbers II
• 3 Multiply fractions by whole numbers: word problems
• 4 Multiply fractions and whole numbers: sorting
• 5 Fractions of a number I
• 6 Fractions of a number: word problems
• 7 Fractions of a number II

P. Multiply fractions

• 1 Multiply two fractions
• 2 Multiply two fractions: word problems
• 3 Multiply three fractions and whole numbers
• 4 Complete the fraction multiplication sentence I
• 5 Complete the fraction multiplication sentence II
• 6 Understand fraction multiplication and area
• 7 Multiply fractions to find area

Q. Understand multiplication with mixed numbers

• 1 Multiply a mixed number by a whole number using a model I
• 2 Multiply a mixed number by a whole number using a model II
• 3 Multiply with mixed numbers using area models

R. Multiply mixed numbers

• 1 Estimate products of mixed numbers
• 2 Multiply a mixed number by a whole number
• 3 Multiply a mixed number by a fraction
• 4 Multiply two mixed numbers
• 5 Multiply mixed numbers, fractions, and whole numbers
• 6 Multiply three mixed numbers, fractions, and whole numbers
• 7 Multiplication with mixed numbers: word problems
• 8 Multiply fractions and mixed numbers in recipes

S. Scaling by fractions

• 1 Scaling whole numbers by fractions: justify your answer
• 2 Scaling whole numbers by fractions
• 3 Scaling fractions by fractions
• 4 Scaling mixed numbers by fractions
• 5 Scaling by fractions and mixed numbers

T. Understand fraction division

• 1 Relate division and fractions
• 2 Understand fractions as division: word problems
• 3 Divide unit fractions by whole numbers using models
• 4 Divide unit fractions by whole numbers using area models
• 5 Divide whole numbers by unit fractions using models
• 6 Divide whole numbers by unit fractions using area models
• 7 Divide unit fractions and whole numbers using area models
• 8 Divide unit fractions and whole numbers using number lines

U. Divide unit fractions and whole numbers

• 1 Divide unit fractions by whole numbers
• 2 Divide whole numbers by unit fractions
• 3 Divide unit fractions and whole numbers
• 4 Divide unit fractions and whole numbers: word problems

V. Mixed operations: fractions

• 1 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and mixed numbers
• 2 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and mixed numbers: word problems

W. Decimal place value

• 1 What decimal number is illustrated?
• 2 Place value models for decimal numbers
• 3 Understanding decimals expressed in words
• 4 Place values in decimal numbers
• 5 Relationship between decimal place values
• 6 Convert decimals between standard and expanded form
• 7 Convert decimals between standard and expanded form using fractions
• 8 Compose and decompose decimals in multiple ways
• 9 Round decimals
• 10 Decimal number lines

X. Compare decimals

• 1 Equivalent decimals
• 2 Compare decimals using grids
• 3 Compare decimals on number lines
• 4 Compare decimal numbers
• 5 Put decimal numbers in order
• 6 Compare, order, and round decimals: word problems

Y. Convert between decimals and fractions

• 1 Model decimals and fractions
• 2 Convert fractions to decimals
• 3 Convert mixed numbers to decimals
• 4 Convert decimals to fractions
• 5 Convert decimals to mixed numbers

Z. Compare decimals and fractions

• 1 Compare decimals and fractions on number lines
• 2 Compare decimals and fractions
• 3 Put a mix of decimals and fractions in order
• 4 Put a mix of decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers in order

AA. Add and subtract decimals

• 1 Add decimal numbers using blocks
• 2 Add decimal numbers
• • New! Use properties to add three decimals
• 3 Subtract decimal numbers using blocks
• 4 Subtract decimal numbers
• 5 Add and subtract decimal numbers
• • New! Use compensation to add and subtract decimals
• 6 Add and subtract decimals: word problems
• 7 Choose decimals with a particular sum or difference
• 8 Complete the decimal addition or subtraction sentence
• 9 Compare sums and differences of decimals
• 10 Number sequences involving decimals
• 11 Estimate sums and differences of decimals using rounding
• 12 Estimate sums and differences of decimals using benchmarks

BB. Multiply decimals by powers of ten

• 1 Multiply a decimal by a power of ten
• 2 Multiply a decimal by a power of ten: with exponents
• 3 Multiply by 0.1 or 0.01
• 4 Multiply by a power of ten with decimals: find the missing number

CC. Multiply decimals by whole numbers

• 1 Estimate products of whole numbers and decimals
• 2 Multiply a decimal by a one-digit whole number: tenths or hundredths
• 3 Multiply a decimal by a one-digit whole number using blocks
• 4 Multiply a decimal by a one-digit whole number using the distributive property
• 5 Multiply a decimal by a one-digit whole number
• 6 Multiply a decimal by a two-digit whole number using area models
• 7 Multiply a decimal by a multi-digit whole number
• 8 Multiply decimals and whole numbers: word problems
• 9 Multiply three or more numbers, one of which is a decimal

DD. Multiply decimals

• 1 Estimate products of decimals
• 2 Complete the decimal multiplication sentence using grids
• 3 Multiply decimals using grids
• 4 Multiply two decimals: where does the decimal point go?
• 5 Multiply decimals using area models
• 6 Multiply two decimals: products up to hundredths
• 7 Multiply two decimals: products up to thousandths
• 8 Decimal multiplication: compare products up to hundredths
• 9 Decimal multiplication: compare products up to thousandths

EE. Divide decimals by powers of ten

• 1 Divide by powers of ten
• 2 Decimal division patterns over increasing place values
• 3 Divide by a power of ten: with exponents
• 4 Multiply and divide by a power of ten: with exponents
• 5 Divide by a power of ten with decimals: find the missing number
• 6 Divide by 0.1 or 0.01

FF. Divide decimals

• 1 Estimate decimal quotients
• 2 Divide decimals using blocks: complete the equation
• 3 Divide decimals using area models: complete the equation
• • New! Divide decimals by whole numbers using place value
• 4 Divide decimals by whole numbers without adding zeros
• 5 Division with decimal quotients
• 6 Division with decimal quotients and rounding
• 7 Division with decimal quotients: word problems
• • New! Divide by decimals using place value
• 8 Divide by decimals without adding zeros
• 9 Divide by decimals

GG. Mixed operations: decimals

• 1 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals
• 2 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals: word problems
• 3 Equations with mixed operations: true or false

HH. Money and time

• 1 Add and subtract money amounts
• 2 Add and subtract money: word problems
• 3 Add and subtract money: multi-step word problems
• 4 Multiply money amounts
• 5 Multiply money amounts: word problems
• 6 Multiply money amounts: multi-step word problems
• 7 Divide money amounts
• 8 Divide money amounts: word problems
• 9 Price lists
• 10 Unit prices
• 11 Find the number of each type of coin
• 12 Convert time units

II. Customary units of measurement

• 1 Compare and convert customary units of length
• 2 Compare and convert customary units of weight
• 3 Compare and convert customary units of volume
• 4 Compare and convert customary units
• 5 Conversion tables - customary units
• 6 Compare customary units by multiplying
• 7 Convert customary units involving fractions
• 8 Convert mixed customary units
• 9 Add and subtract mixed customary units
• 10 Multi-step problems with customary unit conversions

JJ. Metric units of measurement

• 1 Compare and convert metric units of length
• 2 Compare and convert metric units of mass
• 3 Compare and convert metric units of volume
• 4 Compare and convert metric units
• 5 Conversion tables - metric units
• 6 Convert metric mixed units
• 7 Add and subtract metric mixed units
• 8 Multi-step problems with metric unit conversions
• 9 Multi-step problems with customary or metric unit conversions

KK. Number patterns

• 1 Use a rule to complete a number pattern
• 2 Compare patterns
• 3 Complete an increasing number pattern
• 4 Complete a multiplication number pattern
• 5 Number patterns: word problems
• 6 Number patterns: mixed review

LL. Coordinate plane

• 1 Describe the coordinate plane
• 2 Objects on a coordinate plane
• 3 Graph points on a coordinate plane
• 4 Graph triangles and quadrilaterals
• 5 Graph points from a table
• 6 Use a rule to complete a table and a graph
• 7 Analyze graphed relationships
• 8 Coordinate planes as maps
• 9 Follow directions on a coordinate plane

MM. Variable expressions

• 1 Write variable expressions
• 2 Write variable expressions: word problems
• 3 Evaluate variable expressions
• 4 Write variable equations: word problems
• 5 Find a value using two-variable equations
• 6 Complete a table for a two-variable relationship
• 7 Complete a table from a graph
• 8 Graph patterns using rules
• 9 Graph a two-variable relationship
• 10 Write a two-variable equation

NN. Data and graphs

• 1 Interpret line plots with whole numbers
• 2 Create line plots with fractions
• 3 Create and interpret line plots with fractions
• 4 Create line graphs
• 5 Interpret line graphs
• 6 Create bar graphs
• 7 Interpret bar graphs
• 8 Interpret bar graphs: multi-step problems
• 9 Create frequency charts
• 10 Interpret frequency charts: one-step problems
• 11 Interpret frequency charts: multi-step problems
• 12 Create stem-and-leaf plots
• 13 Interpret stem-and-leaf plots
• 14 Create scatter plots
• 15 Interpret scatter plots
• 16 Predictions and trends in scatter plots

OO. Statistics

• 1 Find the mode
• 2 Find the mean
• 3 Find the median
• 4 Find the range
• 5 Mean: find the missing number
• 6 Median: find the missing number
• 7 Range: find the missing number
• 8 Interpret charts and graphs to find the mode
• 9 Interpret charts and graphs to find the mean
• 10 Interpret charts and graphs to find the median
• 11 Interpret charts and graphs to find the range

PP. Triangles

• 1 Acute, obtuse, and right triangles
• 2 Scalene, isosceles, and equilateral triangles
• 3 Classify triangles

QQ. Quadrilaterals

• 1 Parallel sides in quadrilaterals
• 2 Identify parallelograms
• 3 Identify trapezoids
• 4 Identify rectangles
• 5 Identify rhombuses
• 6 Classify quadrilaterals
• • New! Pick all the names for a quadrilateral
• 7 Draw quadrilaterals
• 8 Identify the relationships between quadrilaterals
• 9 Describe relationships among quadrilaterals

RR. Polygons

• 1 Is it a polygon?
• 2 Number of sides in polygons
• 3 Regular and irregular polygons
• 4 Sort polygons into Venn diagrams
• 5 Properties of polygons

SS. Perimeter

• 1 Perimeter with whole number side lengths
• 2 Perimeter with decimal side lengths
• 3 Perimeter with fractional side lengths
• 4 Perimeter of figures on grids
• 1 Area of squares and rectangles
• 2 Area of rectangles with fractions
• 3 Area of rectangles with fractions and mixed numbers
• 4 Area of compound figures
• 5 Area between two rectangles
• 6 Area of figures on grids
• 7 Area and perimeter: word problems
• 1 Volume of irregular figures made of unit cubes
• 2 Volume of rectangular prisms made of unit cubes: expressions
• 3 Volume of rectangular prisms made of unit cubes
• 4 Volume of rectangular prisms made of unit cubes: word problems
• 5 Volume of cubes and rectangular prisms
• 6 Volume of cubes and rectangular prisms: word problems
• 7 Compare volumes and dimensions of rectangular prisms: word problems
• 8 Volume of compound figures
• 9 Volume of cubes and rectangular prisms with decimal side lengths
• 10 Compare and apply cubic units

VV. Financial literacy

• 1 Income and payroll taxes: understanding pay stubs
• 2 Income and payroll taxes: word problems
• 3 Sales and property taxes: word problems
• 4 Identify types of taxes
• 5 Understand gross and net income
• 6 Calculate gross and net income
• 7 Identify advantages and disadvantages of payment methods
• 8 Evaluate payment methods
• 9 Reading financial records
• 10 Keeping financial records
• 11 Balance a budget
• 12 Adjust a budget

Fifth grade lessons

These lessons help you brush up on important math topics and prepare you to dive into skill practice!

Number sense

• Place value
• Prime and composite numbers
• Prime factorization
• Greatest common factor
• Least common multiple

Multiplication

• Multiplying multiples of 10
• Estimating products
• Area model multiplication
• Partial products
• Lattice multiplication
• Multiplying by 1-digit numbers
• Multiplying by 2-digit numbers
• Multiplying by 3-digit numbers
• Long multiplication
• Dividing multiples of 10
• Estimating quotients
• Partial quotients
• Area model division
• Dividing by 1-digit numbers
• Dividing by 2-digit numbers
• Long division

Exponents and powers of 10

• Powers of 10

Properties and mixed operations

• The distributive property
• Order of operations
• Fractions overview
• Understanding fractions
• Fraction area models
• Fractions on a number line
• Fractions of a set
• Equivalent fractions
• Comparing fractions
• Least common denominator
• Simplest form
• Mixed numbers and improper fractions
• Fractions as division

Adding fractions

• Adding fractions with like denominators
• Adding fractions with unlike denominators
• Adding mixed numbers

Subtracting fractions

• Subtracting fractions with like denominators
• Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators
• Subtracting mixed numbers
• Multiplying fractions
• Multiplying fractions and whole numbers
• Multiplying mixed numbers
• Multiplication as scaling

Dividing fractions

• Dividing fractions and mixed numbers
• Dividing fractions by whole numbers
• Dividing whole numbers by fractions
• Reciprocals
• Fractions and decimals
• Converting between fractions, decimals, and percents
• Decimal place value
• Writing decimals in expanded form
• Writing decimals in word form
• Equivalent decimals
• Comparing decimals
• Rounding decimals

Adding and subtracting decimals

• Adding decimals
• Subtracting decimals
• Multiplying decimals
• Multiplying decimals by powers of 10
• Multiplying decimals by whole numbers
• Dividing decimals
• Dividing decimals by powers of 10
• Dividing decimals by whole numbers
• Parallel and perpendicular lines
• Types of angles
• Measuring angles with a protractor
• Types of triangles
• Types of quadrilaterals
• Parallelograms
• Regular polygons
• Area of rectangles
• Area of compound shapes
• Volume of rectangular prisms

Data and measurement

• Metric units of measurement
• Converting metric units
• Customary units of measurement
• Converting customary units
• Frequency tables

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in Math , Math Stations · February 7, 2023

5 More Games & Centers for Math In 5th Grade

Ready for even more games and centers for math that are perfect for 5th grade? Well, you came to the right place! Between last week’s post about grade 5 maths games and this blog post, I have you covered with the very best math games!

How do I fit everything into my math block? From testing to teaching, centers for math are just another thing to fit in. I shared how I run a 45-minute math block in t his blog post . One of the key components of that time block is using centers for math.

So how do I use centers for math in my classroom? Luckily, I created a 5 Part Video Series that shares everything you need to know about setting up math stations. From what math station rotation ideas to include and how to actually plan for math stations, I share everything I know! Drop your email below and get the video series sent straight to your inbox.

Centers for Math By Topic

Just like the last post, I’m dividing up my recommendations for games and centers for math in 5th grade by topic. If you are looking for different topics (like decimal place value for 5th grade, or games for adding and subtracting fractions) be sure to check out this blog post.

Games for Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Even in 5th grade, I strive to make math as hands-on as possible. To do this, I like to have my students build a deeper understanding of models when it comes to how to multiply and divide fractions. This is where learning labs come in handy!

A learning lab is simply an activity that lets students explore how to multiply fractions and divide fractions by whole numbers. Using visual models is so key to helping my students better understand a tricky concept!

In addition to learning labs, I like to give students lots of practice with fractions so games for multiplying and dividing fractions are a perfect addition to my math station rotations. I like to use my Tic Tac Toe game boards and Double Dice games for kids to help give students practice in a more fun way. I dive more in-depth into these fun math games in this blog post so be sure to check it out!

Want a bundle of 12 different games for multiplying and dividing fractions? I’ve linked my bundle h ere which includes the learning labs and math partner games I shared above.

Grade 5 Maths Games: Coordinate Plane Graphing

Want good math games for 5th graders? I like playing whole group math games like candy bar addresses. How fun is it to practice coordinate plane graphing while finding the location of candy bars?! This is one of my students’ favorite lessons of the school year!

Want centers for math in 5th grade? Match-it-up cards are perfect for an independent station. Students practice matching up coordinate grids, tables, and patterns. This gives additional practice to finding patterns from tables and graphs.

My coordinate plane graphing unit wouldn’t be complete without math poster projects. This math project has students creating their own treasure map and then listing directions and ordered pairs of different treasures. A fun way to combine social studies and graphing in coordinate plane. 

Add all of these fun centers for math in one easy click. The Coordinate Plane Graphing Bundle includes all of these activities and 4 more! Grab the bundle here .

Geometry 5th Grade Games

I love to use 5th grade math games in the classroom in place of whole-group lessons. This 5th grade geometry activity has students become the teacher. Students create clues to a 2d figure. I mix up the clues and post them around the room. Students then solve each others’ clues like task cards. You could also have students do a stand-up-hand up-pair-up to mix students up and get them talking about math. 

Another math game for 5th graders that I use in my 5th grade geometry unit is choice board templates. Students get a choice board either digitally or printable. They make a choice and create their response to the prompt. These choice board templates come pre-created so all you have to do is assign them. Perfect idea for math homework or as a summative assessment. I share more about how to use choice board templates in this blog post.

Looking for 6 geometry 5th grade games? This bundle has you covered with the above activities along with 4 more! Grab the bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers .

Centers for Math: Volume for 5th Grade

Volume of prisms is one of my favorite units for hands-on learning. Using learning labs help students build the volume formula in a hands-on way. Break out the cubes and get to building! By giving students a chance to build and explore, retention is higher!

In this bundle are 3 math games for 5th graders! 2 sets of double dice games for kids and 1 set of Tic Tac Toe. My students love using dice to create their own problems and try to beat their partners to the largest volume of prisms. In the Tic Tac Toe math game, students practice finding the volume while also being able to check their work. Their partner has their answers so students are able to practice the math concepts correctly without asking me every 2 minutes to check their work.

Looking for quick centers for math? Digital task cards are where it’s at! They are perfect for an independent math learning center and easy to prep. Simple assign on TPT Easel program or through Google Slides and Forms. Self-grading makes it easy to assign for a sub day too!

Want to grab all the volume for 5th grade centers for math? Click here to find the bundle!

Fun for Math Games Grade 5

This blog post wouldn’t be complete without a round-up of my favorite math games that are fun! Tic Tac Toe is where it’s at! My students love this game and I created enough boards to use all year long. The math games grade 5 bundle is a great addition to centers for math time. Inside the bundle are 13 different games for any of the topics covered in 5th grade math.

This game is easy to prep- just print and play. No cutting, no laminating! I like to slip the game board into page protectors and let my students use dry-erase markers to play. This makes setup easy and storing them even easier! I can pop the games back into a binder for easy storage for next year’s group. 

If you want to try out a set for yourself, I have some math games for 5th graders for free linked here. Want the whole bundle? Grab it here!

More Centers for Math in 5th Grade

Looking for more centers for math in 5th grade? These blog posts have even more ideas to get you started on playing math games and using centers for math! Want all of the Grade 5 Maths Games Bundle? Grab the bundle here and save 20% !

• 5th Grade Math Games for Free
• Guided Math in Upper Elementary
• 5 Simple Math Centers for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students
• Math Stations for Upper Grades
• 20 Math Center Ideas
• Math Station Rotation Ideas
• Getting Started with Math Learning Centers
• An Overview of My Upper Elementary Math Stations
• Simplify Your Math Centers

What are your favorite centers for math? Any go-to favorites? Drop your ideas in the comments!

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Math Facts: 8 Ways to Practice

Now, maybe I’m dating myself here, but do you remember the old days when practicing math facts was all about the teacher holding up flashcards and doing daily timed worksheets (sometimes on colored paper!)? Some

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70 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Teaching Fifth Grade

Brilliant ideas from brilliant teachers (like you).

Let’s be honest. One of the hardest parts of teaching is those two dreaded words: lesson planning. Sometimes the inspiration just isn’t hitting, and we could use a little help. We scoured our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook and the web to put together a collection of ideas for teaching 5th grade to help you get through “The Sunday Night Blues.” Plus there’s advice from teachers like you on classroom management techniques and the best ways to communicate with parents. You’ll see everything organized by topic so you can find what you’re looking for easily. New to teaching? Fifth grade veteran? You’re g uaranteed to find something here to inspire you!

Getting Your Classroom Ready

1. create an inviting classroom.

Need ideas to take your classroom to the next level? We’ve gathered real-life 5th grade classrooms  for you to browse!

2. Gather all the supplies

Not sure what supplies you need for your classroom? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this list of essential 5th grade classroom supplies .

3. Try different classroom layouts

Long gone are the days of straight rows of desks lining the classroom.  Throw out your seating chart and try one of these ideas instead .

4. Fill your classroom library with our favorite 5th grade books

Teaching 5th grade involves a lot of reading! Here are our favorite 5th grade books.

5. Get a jump start on lessons

Teacher planning and prep time are precious! It makes life a lot easier when you can purchase existing lessons, bundles, books, and pages when you’re teaching 5th grade. And why not support other teachers while you do it? Check out our favorite Teacher Pay Teachers sellers for 5th grade.

The First Days of School

6. introduce yourself creatively.

Make day one memorable by introducing yourself in a creative way, such as sending postcards over the summer! Here are creative teacher introduction ideas .

7. Put all hands in

Get to know your 5th grade class and finish decorating during the first week of school with an activity that has students trace their hands and decorate with words and pictures that describe themselves. We love this idea from Teaching in Room 6 .

8. Establish a culture of kindness

Print these free, downloadable posters to remind your students that kindness matters most of all.

9. Build your students’ social-emotional skills

Teaching 5th grade means building SEL skills. Use these SEL read-alouds  to talk about everything from kindness to courage to trying your best.

10. Create classroom jobs for your students

Here are some creative ideas for classroom jobs from our teacher community: tech support, environmental support, organizer, textbook coordinator, sanitation engineer, librarian, substitute, chief in charge, messenger, paper passer, supply clerk, IT technician, human resources officer, administrative assistant, waste management. Plus check out this big list of unique classroom jobs .

11. Make a class time capsule

At the beginning of the year, have students write down their thoughts, expectations, goals, feelings, and predictions. Put them all in a decorated jar, seal it up, and then read them all back to them in the last week of school!

12. Use the walls for anchor charts instead of premade posters

You can check out our  top 5th grade anchor charts for inspiration here.

Ideas for Language Arts

13. incorporate daily writing prompts.

We’ve gathered these 5th grade writing prompts that you can download and use to have your 5th graders practice their writing skills.

14. Read aloud

Book series make great read-alouds because you can carry them through the entire year. Here are some of our top read-aloud picks for 5th grade.

15. Encourage higher-order thinking

Looking for resources to encourage higher-order thinking in your young readers? Check out our list of higher-order thinking questions and stems .

16. Grade all assignments for spelling

“I take spelling grades off of any type of assignment: a science response, an essay, anything. You get a better snapshot of their real spelling level, not if they have help at home.” — Jessica R.

17. Use paint chips to inspire sensory poetry

Letting color work its inspiration for your 5th grade poets is a great idea from Fabulous in Fifth . Check out other  educational uses for paint chips  here!

18. Teach the difference between tone and mood

Practice applying the definitions by reading passages in class and asking students to identify the difference between tone and mood in each passage with this helpful anchor chart.

19. Teach how to use context clues to bridge into larger close-reading skills

We love this context clues anchor chart from Crafting Connections .

20. Teach the difference between literal and figurative meanings through writing and drawing

Take sentences from your class’s current text that use figurative language and have students (literally!) illustrate and explain the difference in the literal and figurative meanings of the expressions. Check out these figurative language anchor charts to get started.

21. Try a vocabulary activity. Or 15!

Use RAFTs, try Vocabulary Jeopardy, and more with these vocabulary activities .

22. Use scavenger hunts to teach how to cite evidence

Find four of our favorite activities for citing textual evidence—two for fiction and two for nonfiction.

23. Teach theme in language arts

To fully explore theme, students must understand what they read and then extract ideas from the text. Here are 14 ways to get started teaching theme .

24. Have fun with poetry

Help your class learn to read, appreciate, and write poetry with these poetry lessons, templates, and worksheets .

25. Use nonfiction to draw in reluctant readers

Have a student that just won’t read? Use these types of nonfiction to entice them!

26. Offer life-changing books

Fifth grade is a big year for many students. They are beginning to gain more maturity and life experience. Give your students access to texts that will expand their minds and hearts. Share these 5th grade chapter books with your students.

Ideas for Math

27. reinforce prime numbers with a fun card game.

Prime numbers become instantly cool when you use them to win this card game from Education.com. Download the activity for free .

28. Use bulletin boards as a math resource

Make your bulletin boards interactive and useful to aid kids in learning new mathematical concepts and to bolster independent learners. Check out these math bulletin boards that are creative and different to add to your room this year.

29. Focus on fractions

If it’s not math fluency, it’s fractions. The better understanding 5th graders have of fractions, the better off they’ll be when the quantities get more complicated or the operations get sophisticated. Check out our favorite fraction activities .

30. Make it easy to reinforce

Reinforce new concepts with games that don’t need a ton of prep and can even be played at home. Check out these easy-to-play 5th grade math games that cover many math standards.

31. Watch videos

It’s much more fun to teach multiplication and division when  you’re watching a video !

32. Teach the dreaded word problem

Use these math word problem activities and strategies .

33. Whip out the songs

Yes, by 5th grade, students should all know their multiplication facts. But let’s be real, sometimes it’s still a bit shaky. Try these catchy multiplication songs to finally have them solidify those facts!

34. Have a snack while you’re learning

Students will love combining cooking and chemistry with this engaging Compound Cookie activity where students follow a recipe to make a yummy snack. A fun (and delicious) way to go about teaching 5th grade math and science.

35. Graph paper isn’t just for graphing

Tired of messy math work? Try this hack to transform the way students show their math work.

Ideas for Financial Literacy

36. spend, save, give.

Teach your students to be more thoughtful and responsible about how they use money to help them be successful adults.

37. Making money

Kids love learning how to earn some extra cash. Use this making-money lesson to give them the vocabulary they need to dig deeper into topics like allowances, job, wages, and salaries.

38. Saving money

Saving money can be tricky for kids (and adults!). Use this lesson on saving money to help students learn how to save money in an age-appropriate way. It also covers other topics like investing and credit.

Yes! Kids can learn how to be financial planners. Set them up for future financial success by teaching them how to make financial plans to reach financial goals with this budgeting lesson .

40. Charitable giving

There is a strong push for educators to teach social-emotional skills. It’s important for our students to understand why and how to give back. Check out this charitable-giving lesson to add to your financial literacy lessons.

41. Hands on Banking

Our Hands on Banking resource has a whole host of resources to help teach students money skills. Online games, app recommendations, worksheets, lessons—it’s definitely worth a look!

Ideas for Science

42. get hands-on with science.

Science is the perfect subject for kids to get down and dirty. Try these 5th grade science projects for inspiration.

43. Try daily STEM challenges

These  STEM challenges are designed with your 5th graders in mind. Try one each day or each week to get their minds thinking outside the box.

44. Teach the plant life cycle

The plant life cycle is always a fun science unit. You get to talk about growing, planting, and nature. Plus, students love digging in and getting their hands dirty when they plant seeds themselves.

45. Teach electricity

It’s electrifyingly good fun!  Shock them with these science experiments .

46. Explore animal habitats

Ready to explore animal habitats around the world, from rain forests to deserts and everything in between? These fun habitat activities are just what you’re looking for.  Take a walk on the wild side!

47. Host a science fair

These science fair project ideas give students a chance to develop all sorts of skills like critical thinking, research, and writing.

Ideas for Social Studies

48. try social studies inquiry circles.

Address the required standards through inquiry-based learning. Here’s a how-to guide from the One Stop Teacher Shop. Watch your kids sink their teeth into the “thick versus thin” concept, and the Work Plan Form will help students take control of their own learning.

49. Let your students be TV producers

Fifth grade teacher Brittany R. had her class work “in small groups toward the end of the year and make commercials to try and get ‘tourists’ to visit their location (ancient civilizations).” — Brittany R.

50. Learn about heroes

Read biographies about famous people in history. Match books to holidays or other commemorations, like Presidents’ Day  or  Black History Month.

51. Use online learning

There are some amazing websites out there for teaching social studies lessons.  Check out our 50+ favorites .

52. Take a field trip

Being the oldest student on campus affords some privileges, not the least of which is awesome field trips. No baby field trips here. Take advantage of having more mature learners, and try one of these engaging field trips that you can only really do in 5th grade .

Ideas for Classroom Management

53. be consistent when teaching 5th grade.

Consistency is key. “I’ve been teaching 5th grade for 15 years, and I can honestly say that for me it comes down to one word: consistency. If you are not consistent and do not plan to follow through (rules, routines), then you will have a great big mess on your hands academically, socially, and behaviorally. You need be consistent and keep to your schedule, routine, and rules. Fifth graders learn quickly that if you don’t mean what you say, they do not have to do their best.” — Maria S.

54. Incentivize

Fifth graders may think they are big kids, but they’re still motivated by rewards. “I give tickets to my students (bought from a party-supply store). They can redeem them every other Friday. A certain number of points can be cashed in for prizes, like a piece of candy or extra computer time. Sometimes I give one or two tickets and other times I pull off a long string of 10 to 15, especially if I want to change the behavior of other students! Tickets can be earned for good behavior, turning in work, showing respect, appropriate class participation, and so on.” — Becky S.

55. Think soft, not loud

“If students are being loud, my instinct used to be to raise my voice to try to be louder than them. Now, I’ve started doing the opposite: I’ll speak more quietly. This tends to intrigue them, and they’ll start hushing each other so they can hear what I have to say. Try it!” — Erin F.

56. If you assign it, grade it

Make sure kids know that all their work is valuable and deserves their best effort. “If you assign it (project, test, homework), then you need to check or grade it!” — Maria S.

57. Encourage kids to develop their passions

Give your 5th grade kids a Genius Hour where they can explore a topic of their choice. Students spend a set amount of time each day researching the topic before creating a project they will eventually present to the class.

58. Let your students be the teachers

“I let my students work in groups to read part of a chapter and then teach it to the class. They did various things such as present graphic organizers, skits, raps, and acrostics. They took questions from the students and they also gave out questions as mini-quizzes!” — Brittany R.

59. Incorporate arts and crafts into lessons

“I’ve done Egyptian units where kids create their own sarcophaguses. It has to have representations of things that are important to them.” — Laura N.

“We created cubes (made of poster board and cut and glued with hot glue) to create an informational cube about Egyptians. They did their own research for the topics covered.” — Brittany R.

60. Have a classroom debate—in costume

“We do a debate between the Patriots and the Loyalists, complete with costumes. The kids LOVED this activity.” — Sherrie R.

61. Get the wiggles out

Even grown-ups can’t sit still and listen all day! Get your kids up and moving with awesome 5th grade brain breaks .

62. Prizes don’t have to be the way to go

Looking to explore other ways of classroom management? Check out what this teacher has to say about rewards .

63. Scratch the “I don’t know …”

Teach students these eight alternatives to “I don’t know” to help promote perseverance in your classroom!

64. Respond in ways that promote thinking

It can be so frustrating when our students look at us and blurt out “I don’t get it” after an in-depth lesson. Here are five practical ways you can respond to get those brains thinking!

65. Teach kids perseverance

Create a classroom community of students who don’t give up when challenges present themselves. Learn ways to build perseverance in your classroom when you’re teaching 5th grade!

66. Encourage a growth mindset

A growth mindset helps students embrace challenges, learn how to fail and try again, and gain more skills to becoming independent. Learn ways to incorporate growth mindset into your daily lessons and routines.

Other Ideas

67. have a sense of humor.

Teaching 5th grade requires a sense of humor, for both yourself and your students. Try one of our 5th grade jokes to start the day .

68. Build positive relationships with parents

Here are  tips for working with parents that make it the easiest part of your job.

69. Tweak your lingo

Sometimes a mere tweak in your language can make a big change in classroom participation!

70. Know the goals

New to 5th grade? Not sure of the skills your students need when they head off to middle school? Here are the skills one teacher says every 5th grader must have by the end of the school year.

What are your top tips for teaching 5th grade? Come share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus, check out our guide to the 5th grade classroom ..

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Home » Blog Posts » 15 Fun and Easy 5th Grade Early Finisher Activities for The Classroom

15 Fun and Easy 5th Grade Early Finisher Activities for The Classroom

• Blog Posts , Classroom Management , Teacher Tips

Do you have students who struggle to stay focused in the classroom after they finish their work? Having a set of early finisher activities can help you keep each student engaged throughout the entire day. Check out this list of 5 th grade early finisher activities for the classroom!

This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which do not cost any extra for you. Please see the   full disclosure here .

Why do we need 5th grade early finisher activities?

Having early finisher activities for your students is vital because they keep students engaged, promote independent learning, help with classroom management, encourage creative thinking, and provide differentiation. Overall, having early finisher activities is an effective way to meet the needs of all students in your classroom and promote a positive learning environment. 👩🏿‍🏫

Keeps Students Engaged

When students finish their work early, they may become bored or disengaged if they have nothing else to do. Therefore, providing early finisher activities can keep them engaged and motivated to continue learning.

Promotes Independent Learning

Early finisher activities can promote independent learning because they give students the opportunity to explore topics of interest or work on self-directed projects.

Helps Manage Classroom Behavior

Students who have nothing to do may become restless or disruptive, leading to classroom management issues. Therefore, you can use early finisher activities to help prevent these behaviors by keeping students occupied and focused.

Encourages Creativity and Critical Thinking

Early finisher activities can encourage creativity and critical thinking by allowing students to solve problems, work on puzzles, or engage in open-ended projects. 💭

Provides Differentiation

Early finisher activities can provide differentiation by allowing advanced students to work on more challenging tasks while providing additional support for struggling students.

5 th Grade Early Finisher Activities

Coming up with a list of fresh and engaging early finisher activities for your students can be challenging. Luckily, I have done all the hard work for you. You can quickly implement these early finisher activities in your classroom, and your students will remain engaged throughout the day!

#1 Extension Activities

Offer extension activities that challenge students to think more deeply about the topic they are learning. For example, they could research related topics, create an infographic, or write a summary of what they learned. I like to add a challenge question that allows students to think critically about the subject. For example, when teaching graphing, let students explore which jobs use data and graphing.

Check out these Critical Thinking Task Cards ! They are perfect for extending students in Math and ELA lessons!

# 2 Independent Reading 📚

Provide a selection of books or articles related to the lesson or unit and allow students to read quietly and independently. I like having a stack of magazines in my classroom for students to read when they finish their work. Additionally, students can read any book and complete an independent reading activity. Check out these Book Talk Prompt Cards that allow students to discuss books and make recommendations to their classmates.

If your students prefer reading non-fiction, you can have these Informational Reading Passages on hand for your early finishers. They come with comprehension questions and have various themes throughout the year!

#3 Educational Games 🎲

Provide your students with educational games or puzzles. For example, students could play a game that helps them learn vocabulary words or practice math skills. Having a basket or shelf with educational games and puzzles that students can play with whenever they finish early can help keep students engaged and wanting to finish their work on time. If you need game suggestions, check out this blog post , including collaborative and competitive math games for students.

Having these Math Match Up Games in your classroom is handy for when students finish early during math lessons. These games will keep students learning and focused on math throughout the entire lesson.

#4 Creative Writing ✍🏽

Encourage students to write a story, poem, or essay about the lesson or unit you are working on. This could also be a chance for students to write creatively about their interests or hobbies. Try setting your students up with a specific notebook to write in when they finish early. This notebook will encourage them to write and can serve as a special notebook for them to take home at the end of the year.

Check out these Digital Writing Prompts that will help promote creative writing in your classroom.

#5 Peer Tutoring

Students who finish early could be paired with students who are struggling to complete their work, need more help with the material, or need help with homework. Additionally, if you have students who are constantly finishing their work early, you could train them to help their peers. Remind students that helping their classmates does not mean finishing their work for them. Instead, they must reteach the concepts to complete their work more independently.  

#6 Enrichment Projects

Offer students a choice of projects that allow them to explore a topic more deeply. For example, they could create a poster, diorama, or model. This enrichment project can run like a passion project, where students choose a topic they are interested in. Furthermore, this project will allow them to develop their creativity and develop research skills.

#7 Literacy and Math Centers

Having literacy and math centers set up consistently throughout the school year can help with early finishers. In addition, these centers can be linked to what you are learning so students can continue to practice important math and ELA concepts.

These 5 th Grade Literacy Centers come with ten different activities, so students will never get bored!

For a closer look at how you can use these literacy centers in your classroom, check out this video:

#8 Digital Learning 💻

Provide access to educational websites or apps that relate to the lesson or unit. For example, students could use online resources to learn about a topic or practice a skill. Students love using technology, so they will be more motivated to complete their classwork by giving them the option to use it when they finish.

If you need FREE apps for your students, check out these blog posts! 📱

• FREE LITERACY APPS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
• 12 FREE MATH APPS TO INCORPORATE TECHNOLOGY IN THE MATH CLASSROOM

#9 Choice Boards

Choice boards are an excellent tool for teachers because they provide students with a variety of engaging activities that allow them to continue learning and exploring new topics. Students love having the option to choose, so try using these Literacy Choice Boards in your classroom today!

#10 Extra Vocabulary and Spelling Practice

Students can never have too much practice when it comes to spelling and vocabulary! Extra vocabulary and spelling practice can be a fantastic way to provide early finisher activities that reinforce essential language skills. Add word games, flashcards, word sorting activities, or vocabulary quizzes to your early finisher activities.

Check out this 5 th Grade Vocabulary Bundle that will help your students grow stronger in reading and defining vocabulary words.

#11 Drawing or Coloring 🖌️

No matter what age, students love to draw and color. Giving students the option to draw when they finish their work on time allows them to express themselves creatively. In addition, you can set up a special drawing notebook where they can record all their sketches throughout the year. Also, you can give students mindfulness coloring pages or color by codes as an educational option. Take a look at the color-by-code activities below that focus on specific math and ELA skills.

#12 Organization Time

I love giving students the option to organize their desks or help me organize an area of the classroom, such as the class library when they have finished their work. Having students organize their desks and other areas of the classroom is a great way to promote a sense of responsibility and ownership among students. Also, the act of organizing can help students develop important life skills such as time management, planning, and organization. 🗃️

#13 Task Cards

Task cards are versatile tools because they can be used in many ways. To use them as an early finisher activity, create sets of self-contained task cards that can be completed independently. You can provide a variety of task cards that cover different subjects so that students can choose activities to complete when they finish their work. Check out some of my engaging task cards below!

#14 Writing or Typing Practice ✍🏾

Giving students the option to practice their handwriting or typing skills can be a great early finisher activity! You can print out handwriting sheets so that your students will gain valuable practice. Also, you could have students write the alphabet on lined paper. Additionally, as technology becomes more prevalent worldwide, giving students typing practice can be highly beneficial. Set your students up with Typing Club or these engaging Typing Games !

#15 Browse a Magazine

Some students do not enjoy reading, so giving them magazines with colorful pictures and less text can be a great tool to encourage them to read more. In addition, magazines can provide students with engaging and age-appropriate content and cover a wide range of topics. There are a lot of excellent subscriptions to magazines that you can have in your classroom and some fantastic FREE digital subscriptions as well!

Check out my Magazine Scavenger Hunt that you can use alongside your magazines as an early finishers activity.

Keeping early finishers engaged can be challenging, but with this comprehensive list of activities for your 5 th graders, your students will remain engaged throughout the entire lesson.

If you want more early finisher activities, read these blog posts with 4th grade early finisher activities and 3rd grade early finisher activities ! ❤️

Comment below with your favorite 5 th grade early finisher activities!

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11 Best Transition Activities for Preschoolers

1. Songs and Rhymes

2. visual cues, 3. movement games, 4. storytime wind-down, 5. countdowns, 6. musical instruments, 7. group gestures, 8. mindfulness activities, 9. “follow the leader”, 10. interactive question prompts.

Transition activities for preschoolers are small, structured tasks that help children move smoothly from one activity to another during the day. These activities are important in keeping preschoolers engaged and reducing chaos during transitions. They create a sense of routine, which helps children feel secure and ready for what’s next.

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With fun and simple transition activities, teachers can make daily changes easier for both the kids and themselves. Here are 11 fun transition activities to help you ease the change, but first, let’s understand why these are important.

Why are Transition Activities Important for Preschoolers?

• Activities for transition create a predictable routine, helping children feel more secure and less anxious about what’s coming next.
• They minimize confusion and prevent chaotic transitions, leading to smoother shifts between activities.
• Transition activities for preschoolers help refocus children’s attention, preparing them for the next task or lesson.
• By guiding children through transitions, these activities reduce the chances of disruptive behavior.
• Transition activities teach patience, self-control, and cooperation as children learn to follow cues and wait for their turn.

11 Transition Activities for Preschoolers

Singing simple songs or rhymes is an effective way to signal a change in activities. For example, you might sing a “clean-up” song when it’s time to tidy up after playtime or a “line-up” song when heading outside. 

Preschoolers respond well to music, and familiar tunes help them understand what’s expected. Singing not only makes transitions smoother but also keeps children engaged and focused, while reducing the chances of disruptive behavior. This method is especially useful because it’s fun, repetitive, and easy for young children to remember.

Visual cues, like pictures or symbols, help preschoolers understand the flow of their day. For example, you can use cards with images of different activities, such as a picture of a book for storytime or a playground for outdoor play . Displaying these cards on a daily schedule board gives children a clear idea of what’s coming next. 

Visual cues are especially helpful for young children who may not yet understand verbal instructions well, and they provide a visual anchor that supports routine and minimizes confusion during transitions.

Using movement games during transitions is a great way to keep preschoolers active and engaged while shifting between tasks. Simple activities like hopping, tiptoeing, or pretending to be animals (e.g., hopping like a frog or walking like a giraffe) can make transitions fun. For example, you could ask the children to “tiptoe like mice” as they move from the classroom to the playground. 

These movement games not only burn off extra energy but also help develop motor skills, making the transition feel less like an interruption and more like part of the day’s fun.

Storytime can be a calming way to transition from a high-energy activity to a quieter one. Reading a short story or reciting a quick poem allows children to settle down, shift their focus, and prepare for what’s next. 

For example, after outdoor play, reading a quick story can help children relax before moving into circle time or another indoor activity. This method also builds listening skills and boosts language development while easing the transition in a structured and soothing way.

Using a countdown is a simple but effective way to signal an upcoming transition. Announcing “Five more minutes” or “3-2-1” gives children a clear warning that one activity is about to end and another will begin. 

This approach helps children mentally prepare for the change, reducing resistance or frustration when it’s time to move on. You can also use visual countdowns, like turning over number cards or using a timer. The predictability helps children feel more in control and ready for what’s next.

Incorporating musical instruments like bells, drums, or chimes to signal transitions is a great auditory cue for preschoolers. For example, ringing a bell can indicate it’s time to clean up, or a drumbeat might mean it’s time to gather for circle time. These sounds capture children’s attention quickly and are fun for them to respond to. 

Musical instruments provide a clear, non-verbal cue that helps children transition without the need for constant verbal instructions, while also creating a consistent and playful routine.

Using group gestures such as clapping, stomping, or snapping fingers is an interactive way to transition between activities. For example, you can ask the children to “clap three times” or “stomp like giants” when it’s time to line up or shift to the next task. This keeps them engaged while reinforcing listening and following directions. 

Group gestures are especially useful because they require minimal setup and can be adapted on the spot to grab attention or encourage cooperation. These physical actions also help release extra energy, making it easier for children to settle into the next part of their day.

Incorporating mindfulness activities , such as deep breathing or a quiet moment, can help preschoolers transition calmly between high-energy activities. For instance, after outdoor play or a noisy session, you can ask the children to sit quietly, close their eyes, and take a few deep breaths. This helps them settle their minds and bodies, making them more prepared for focused activities like storytime or group work. 

Mindfulness activities teach self-regulation and emotional control, giving children a valuable tool to manage their energy and emotions throughout the day.

“Follow the Leader” is an engaging way to guide children from one activity to the next. The teacher or a chosen student becomes the leader, and the rest of the group follows, mimicking their movements. 

For example, the leader might hop, walk like a dinosaur, or tiptoe as they move to the next activity. This is one of the most fun transition games for preschoolers. It adds an element of fun and excitement to transitions while also helping children practice listening and motor skills. It works especially well when moving between locations in the classroom or to different areas like the playground or lunchroom.

Using interactive question prompts is a great way to keep children’s minds engaged during transitions. For example, before lining up to go outside, you could ask, “Who can tell me something fun they did during playtime?” or “What color is your favorite toy?” 

This approach encourages participation and helps children focus on something positive as they shift from one activity to another. These questions also provide a natural pause in the action, giving children time to settle down while promoting language development and critical thinking.

11. Imaginative Play

Imaginative play can make transitions exciting and creative for preschoolers. You can ask children to pretend they are animals—like slithering snakes or flying birds—or vehicles, such as driving cars or sailing boats, as they move between activities.

This sparks their imagination and makes the transition feel like part of playtime rather than a disruption. Not only does this method keep children engaged, but it also helps develop gross motor skills and creativity, while turning a necessary routine into a playful and joyful experience.

5 Tips for Implementing Transition Activities for Preschoolers in the Classroom

1. keep activities brief and age-appropriate.

Preschool classroom transition activities should be short and suited to the age and developmental stage of the children. Preschoolers have limited attention spans, so activities like singing a song or doing a quick movement game should only last a minute or two. Keeping them brief ensures that children stay engaged without losing focus or getting frustrated.

2. Be Consistent with Routines

Consistency is key to making transitions smooth. Using the same songs, signals, or gestures every day helps children anticipate what comes next, making them feel more secure and cooperative. For example, always using a bell or countdown before switching activities creates a predictable structure that children can rely on.

3. Involve All Children

Ensure that transition activities engage every child in the group. Whether it’s singing, movement, or gestures, make sure all children are participating, which prevents anyone from feeling left out or getting distracted. This also encourages teamwork and reinforces the idea that transitions are part of the group’s routine.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Praise and positive reinforcement can make a big difference in how children respond to transition activities. For example, compliment children who follow the transition cues quickly or cheerfully. This encourages others to follow suit and creates a more positive atmosphere during transitions.

5. Be Flexible and Adaptable

Not every transition activity will work the same way with every group of children. Be open to adjusting or changing activities based on the mood or needs of the classroom. If a song or movement game isn’t working, try something calmer or more structured. Flexibility ensures that transitions remain smooth, even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Pre k transition activities are essential for keeping preschoolers engaged and helping them move smoothly between tasks throughout the day. By using simple and fun transitions ideas for preschoolers, teachers can create a more structured and positive classroom environment . With a variety of strategies, you can make every transition an opportunity for learning and growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are transitional activities.

Transitional activities are short, structured tasks or signals used to help children smoothly switch from one activity to another. They keep the day organized and prevent disruptions through fun, engaging methods like songs or movement games.

How can I help my preschool transition?

To help with transition for preschoolers, establish clear routines, use consistent cues like songs or visual signals, and involve children in the process. Keeping transitions short and positive also reduces stress and helps them adjust more easily.

What types of activities does the transition movement engage in?

Preschool transition activities often involve songs, movement games, gestures, or mindfulness exercises. These activities help children stay focused and make transitions smoother by incorporating fun and interactive tasks.

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