Double Trouble

This competitive card game is extremely fun! Your child will practice doubling numbers as you flip over cards. Adapt the game to your child’s ability level. Try one-digit or two-digit numbers, or more! Two to four players can participate at once. You can also play with just your child and coach him through. Soon your child will see just how easy multiplying by twos can be!

Skill:

• Doubling numbers, or multiplying by 2

What You Need:

• One deck of playing cards (Print a deck.)

What You Do:

1. Remove all of the face cards and tens from the deck. If you have jokers, you can include them and have them represent zeros. Shuffle the remaining cards.
2. Decide on the number of digits you would like to work with. One digit is good for first or second grade. Two is good for second, and three or four digits are good for third.
3. Place the appropriate number of cards (e.g. 2 for a 2-digit number), face up and side by side.
4. The first player who can correctly double the number and say it out loud wins the card(s). If there is a tie, split the cards (if an even number), or add them back into the deck.
5. Continue play until the deck is depleted. The player with the most cards wins.

Variation:

• Need a challenge? Try tripling numbers, or quadrupling them!