5 Third Grade Math Activities
In 3rd grade, students continue to develop their mathematical skills. Make practice time fun with these 3rd grade math activities!
Author
Katie Wickliff
Published:
March 2025
Key takeaways
- • Encourage a positive attitude about math by using a variety of engaging activities.
- • Many hands on activities can help 3rd graders learn place value, fractions, geometry, and more
- • Math activities for third grade can be inexpensive, simple, effective, and fun!
Third grade is a fantastic time to be a student! During this important year, students build on skills learned in kindergarten and 1st grade while exploring new concepts and tackling more complex problems. Because of this, it’s important to introduce math activities that capture and keep your student’s attention.
The following fun math activities for 3rd grade are simple, engaging, and inexpensive to prepare. When I taught 3rd grade, I used all of these activities with great success. The kids loved the ideas, remained engaged during the games, and gained a deeper understanding of the concepts. All of these activities are flexible and can be easily adapted to suit different learning styles and abilities. Check out these five great 3rd grade math activities below—we’re sure your students will have a blast with them!
Fraction Dice
In 3rd grade, students will begin to learn fractions. This fun dice game will help them practice new skills.
You’ll need:
- Two different colored dice (1 set for each pair of students)
- Pencil/paper or marker/white board
Using the two different colored dice, assign one to represent the numerator and the other to represent the denominator. Roll the dice and create a fraction based on the results. For example, if the numerator die lands on a 4 and the denominator die lands on a 6, the fraction is 4/6. Students take turns rolling the dice and recording their findings. Depending on ability level, you can extend this activity and have the students simplify the fractions or turn an improper fraction into a mixed number.
Math Jeopardy
This Jeopardy-style trivia game is an extremely fun way to review math concepts–my students loved this one! Math Jeopardy can be used over and over again with different topics.
You’ll need:
- Questions and answers about the topic you want to review, sorted by category and difficulty level
- Jeopardy template (see below for ideas)
- Whiteboard or digital display (like a computer screen) for displaying the game board
There are many Jeopardy templates online and through Google Docs or Microsoft Powerpoint. Many are free to edit with your own questions and answers. I have used this one while teaching 3rd grade math. Complete the Jeopardy template and make sure everything works before introducing it to your students.
If you don’t have access to a Jeopardy template, you can still play! Divide the board into categories (addition, subtraction, measurement, etc). Under each category list the following point values on individual post-it notes: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500. Higher points correspond to more challenging questions. Write one question under each Post-it note.
For either the online or physical template, students can play individually or in teams. Students select a point value, and the teacher, parent, or homeschool leader reads the problem aloud. If the team answers it correctly, they score that number of points. The team with the most points at the end wins the game.
Table of contents
Multiplication Relay Race
This active game is best played outside or in a large indoor space, like a gymnasium.
You’ll need:
- Construction paper
- Sharpie
- Cones or other markers for relay “turn” and finish line
On sheets of construction paper, use the Sharpie to write a multiplication equation without the product–one equation on each sheet of paper. On another set of construction paper, write the products that match the equations, one product on each sheet of paper.
At the starting line, place the set of equation cards face down in front of the relay team. If you have multiple teams, space the face down cards evenly in front of all teams. At the relay turning point, spread out the product cards face up. When you say “GO!” a student picks up the top card, runs to the turning point, and finds the correct product. Then the student runs back to the end of their team’s line and sits down. Whichever team is seated first with correctly matching equations and products wins. If you only have enough students to create one team, use a stopwatch to time the relay and then see if the team can try to beat their time on the next round.
Online Math Activities
While tons of games and activities don’t require the internet, sometimes kids are the most engaged by online math challenges, games, and activities. If that sounds like your student, check out DreamBox, an award-winning online math program. Whether you’re looking for homeschool math practice or just an engaging way to develop skills outside the classroom, Dreambox can personalize a program tailored to your child’s current level, learning style, and individual interests.
Place Value Toss
This game is a great way for 3rd graders to practice identifying the place value of any digit.
You’ll need:
- Small bins, boxes, or baskets
- Bean Bags
- Papers/pencils or small white boards/markers
Depending on experience and ability level, set up a number of small cardboard boxes or bins. For example, if students are learning how to identify place value up to the hundreds, set out three bins. For thousands, use 4 bins; ten thousands use 5 bins; etc. Give each student (or partner team) the coordinating number of bean bags. Students toss the beanbags into the boxes and write down the number. Challenge each student to see how many number combinations they can make!
