5 hands on math activities for 4th graders
Fourth grade is an important time for math, as students develop problem solving skills and tackle more complex concepts. These hands-on activities will help students stay positive about math!
Author
Katie Wickliff
Published:
April 2025
Key takeaways
- • In 4th grade, math concepts become more complex and require deeper problem solving skills.
- • Math games and activities can help 4th graders maintain a positive outlook on math.
- • Even though 4th graders can handle more challenging concepts, they still want to have fun!
In 4th grade math, students learn more complex concepts, solve more challenging problems, and develop stronger problem-solving and reasoning skills. Because of this, some students can start feeling overwhelmed by what they are expected to learn. That’s why teachers, homeschoolers, and parents need to encourage a positive attitude toward math. When students feel positive about what they’re doing, they’ll build the confidence to tackle complex 4th grade math concepts.
These engaging, low-prep 4th grade math activities help 4th graders have fun while building important skills. My daughter is currently in 4th grade, and she’s used all of these activities at school, in tutoring, and at home with me. Each one can be easily adapted to suit different learning styles and abilities, so let’s check them out!
Fraction scoot
This game is perfect to get students up and moving!
You’ll need:
Pencils
- A numbered recording sheet
- Task cards (example below!)
- Several designated stations
In Fraction Scoot, students will travel from station to station to solve problems. To prepare, create task cards with pictures that represent different fractions. Students will write the name of the fraction on their recording sheet.
To begin, give each student a recording sheet and a starting station. When you say “Go!” students will answer the question on their task card, writing the answer in the corresponding spot on their recording sheet. When you say “Scoot!” they’ll move to the next station, going around the room until they get back to their starting point. This game can be easily modified depending on what fractions your students are learning. You determine the amount of time students spend at each station and be free to create as many or as few task cards as you’d like!
Multiplication battle
Multiplication Battle is an easy, super low prep game that can be easily used at the end of math class or when you are trying to fill a bit of time.
You’ll need:
- UNO cards or regular playing cards
- Recording sheet
- Pencils
This game is best played in pairs, with each player facing their partner. To play, shuffle the cards and divide them into two even piles, placing one pile face down in front of each player.
To begin, players take turns flipping over two cards and reading their multiplication sentence aloud. For example, if I turn over a 4 and a 3, I’d say 4×3=12. The player with the highest product keeps all the cards for that round. If both partners flip cards with the same product, they can choose to split the cards equally or play a traditional “war.” The player with the most cards at the end wins.
Table of contents
Online games
Most 4th graders love a bit of extra screen time, and it’s ok to take a break from kinesthetic games and activities and use educational online games and programs. In fact, recent research has found that gamified learning tools can actually increase motivation among school-aged children. Check out Dreambox Math, an online program perfect for parents, teachers, and homeschool math practice. With personalized support and plenty of interactive games, Dreambox is a great way to keep 4th graders excited about math!
Candy division sort
Candy Division Sort is a “delicious” way to practice basic division skills. If you don’t want to (or can’t) use candy or food, any small objects, such as pennies or counters work just as well!
You’ll need:
- Small candies, like jellybeans, or counters– I’ve used these colorful bears for years. They’re perfect for any elementary-aged student.
- Large whiteboard/smartboard for instructor use (optional)
- Recording sheet with spaces to create division sentences (example below)
This game helps turn learning division more concrete by having students physically group candy pieces or counters. The instructor can choose to read a division story out loud, write it on a whiteboard, or both.
To begin, each student gets a recording sheet and a pile of jellybeans—the number is up to you. The instructor then reads a real-world division problem, such as: You have 12 cookies and want to share them equally among 6 friends. How many cookies does each friend get? Students use their candy pieces to determine the quotient and then write the division sentence on the recording sheet. When the activity is complete, consider letting the students enjoy their candy. That way, everyone wins!
Math mysteries
Math Mysteries is an extremely flexible game where students solve clues to guess the mystery number. The game can easily be adapted based on the size of the group or ability level. Math Mysteries can be played as a whole class, in pairs, or one-on-one with the instructor. You’ll need:
- Whiteboard/dry erase marker
or
- Pencil/pen and paper
This game helps students with skills like number sense, mental math, logical reasoning, and collaboration (if working as a team). To begin, the instructor picks a two-digit number but doesn’t share it with the students. Once students have their writing materials ready, the instructor gives clues–either verbally or on the board– that helps the students guess the number. For example, if the number is 64, some of the clues might be:
- The number is even
- The number is greater than 42 and less than 72
- The number is a multiple of 8
Students can guess after each clue, and the round ends when someone solves the mystery!
FAQs
You can make math fun for 4th grade by incorporating interactive games, puzzles, and hands-on activities into instructional time. When math is fun, it becomes less intimidating. When students feel confident about math, they are more likely to take educational risks and build confidence in their skills.
Yes! Well-designed games help 4th graders learn math by making math seem less like work and more like play. Games also help students learn math by allowing students to practice skills repeatedly without becoming bored. Additionally, games can help students build problem-solving and teamwork skills, which is essential for success in the classroom and beyond.
