There are some great educational apps available for the iPad and iPhone, but how on earth do you make Maths fun?
Best Maths apps for children
Maths is boring, right? Well, actually, no. But the way most of us are taught maths certainly can be dull.
To get to grips with maths you need to master the basics, and that means learning lots of simple sums off by heart: 2 x 7 = 14, 5 + 4 = 9, 33 divided by 3 is 11, etc.
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We have to memorise all the main addition, subtraction, multiplication and division basics because otherwise we’d spend large proportions of the day counting on our fingers and toes.
There’s one thing more boring than just learning times tables off by heart, and that’s sitting there teaching a child to learn times tables off by heart.
Thank goodness then for smartphone apps and tablet apps that make learning basic maths not only easy but fun, too.
I’m not advocating parents abandoning their children armed with an iPhone or Android tablet, and hoping the app does all the work.
At least to start with a parent or other person versed in more than elementary maths needs to be with the child and guide them through the process and help out with the sums. There are tricks for different times tables, for example, that you can teach the child to make the whole process easier.
There are plenty of iPhone, iPad and Android apps to help your child learn basic maths, and we’ve picked three of the best here. These maths games apps are aimed at primary/elementary school children, aged 5-12.
Click on the links to read our full reviews of these maths apps. All work with iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
Math Bingo: 69p, iPhone, iPad and Android
Play the game that’s all about numbers to learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide: yes, Bingo.
Math Bingo sets a bunch of questions dependent on your choice and the level of your child’s maths skills. A timer ticks away so you’re out to beat your personal best time each go. To start we’d advise disregarding the clock as this can put undue pressure on the child.
Math Bingo is colourful and features a collection of weird bug aliens to make maths even more fun.
Times tables: Squeebles Multiplication: 69p, iPhone, iPad and Android
Master the times tables with the help of Whizz, defeat the nasty Maths Monster, and collect little Squeeble characters, trophies and stars as you learn.
Like Math Bingo, Times Tables: Squeebles Multiplication is a colourful app that makes learning fun.
There’s no timer so your child isn’t rushed into guessing, and they’ll love collecting all the game rewards.
Operation Math: 69p, iPhone, iPad and Android
This spy game puts the player as a secret agent battling the evil Dr Odd. You get new uniforms and spy gear for each mission completed. Like the other maths apps here you set your challenges depending on the level of maths skills of the child.
This game is all about beating the clock, so try it first in training mode when the player has more time to think about the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division equations.
The spy theme is a great idea for making maths a fun adventure.
Away from the app scene we also recommend the BBC’s great online maths games. There’s plenty of variety and skills levels. All the games are fun, colourful and step up in difficulty. We like the way the games start at "Medium" level, so kids aren’t dispirited by not flying through an “Easy” level.
