Math Card Game

Create equations with your child using a deck of cards and your imagination! Deal cards and challenge your child to find different ways to add and subtract them. Find the answer on the target card to win. “Lightning” is an activity that can fit any ability level. If it’s too difficult, use less cards. Too easy? We can fix that! Look at the variations below for alternative ways to play. Teachers, you can play this in the classroom as well! Play it as a class, or divide your students into groups.

Skills:

• Simple addition and subtraction

Term to Know:

equation: a statement that uses an equals sign to show that both sides are the same.

(e.g. 3 + 4 = 7)

What You Need:

• One deck of playing cards (Print a deck.)
• Scratch paper and pencil for each player

What You Do:

1. Remove the face cards and jokers from the deck.
2. Shuffle the remaining cards. Deal five cards face up, in a row. Place the pack nearby.
3. When your child is ready, flip one last card over. This card is the “target card,” or the answer.
4. Ask your child to arrange the first five cards into an equation that will equal the target card. As an example, let’s imagine your first five cards are 1, 2, 3, 4,  and 5 and your target card is 5. You could create the equation 1 + 5 - 3 + 4 - 2 = 5.
5. If an equation is created, give your child all 6 cards. Then deal a new set.
6. The object of the game is to collect as many cards as possible. Play until the deck runs out.

Variations:

• Use less cards or use more cards, depending on your child's ability.
• Play against others. After the target card is flipped over, all players try to come up with an equation. Whoever figures one out first says, “Lightning!” Then they explain their equation. If it’s correct, they get all 6 cards and a new set is dealt.
• Allow players to use any number of cards in the equation, with the target card always being the answer. In this version, a player can only collect the cards they used. Deal new cards to fill in the empty spaces for the next round.
• Place a different number of cards on the table.
• Place two cards in the target area to indicate a 2 digit number that must be created.
• Allow any type of legal math maneuver, including exponents, in order to find an answer.
• Add face cards and/or jokers into the deck. Decide what values they will represent, or have them represent addition, subtraction, etc.