Math fun for a 7 year old?

My seven year old is quite good at math & thinks things like math games are fun (unlike me, her mom). I would like to sign her up for some type of math club, or camp, or any type of math "fun" but I have no idea of where to start. Any ideas? thanks!


I also have a 7yr old girl who likes math... but we haven't found any one thing that holds her interest for long. We thought she might be good at chess, so we taught her the basics, then brought her to the kids classes they used to have at the Hilton library to learn more. She played in an "International Ivy" tournament, and did well enough, but had no more interest in chess after that.

Since it seems my daughter is more into problem-solving of any type of problem (not just math), we try to get her a variety of things to 'solve'. Here's some examples:

District Math resources (some links and activity ideas): http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/cms/lib7/NJ01001050/Centricity/Domain/1/K5MathEblastJune2015.pdf

Games: The district Math resources lists some games we've played. We also go to garage sales, and get any cheap games and try them. She's also done quite a few of the harder Lego sets.

Books: There's a math joke book at the Maplewood Main library that uses a calculator to get the answer to the joke... which I forgot the name of. I think if you look up "math" or "logic" in the electronic catalog, you'll see there's a section of math books in the kids room to choose from.

Other software: Other than the free district sites and ST Math, we made one purchase of the game 'Dragonbox algebra' (younger kids version) on our Kindle, which is a intro to algebraic logic, and she enjoyed. I think there were other software trial versions that she played with on the computer for free for a while.

Tinker: She also likes to figure out how to fix/make/adapt things. Whenever there are batteries to change, screws to undo, etc, we let her do them. She watches videos on Youtube on how to make different types of charms with her rainbow loom, how to make a costume for Halloween that she wanted (and ultimately made 90% of, and I did the other 10%), and other 'engineering' projects. She's pretty good at not taking apart things around the house that shouldn't get taken apart (or taped together)... but her judgement is not always perfect.

Sorry I don't have any good classes or camp recommendations though.


Kid loved Dragonbox, too. We played quite a few games that were not overtly math, but had some of the underlying concepts - Set, Blokus (travel), Rumis (Blokus 3D), various Sudokus, Block by block, Shape by Shape (Thinkfun), Rushhour jr, River Crossing, Tipover.

Also check out mindware.com They have a lot interesting mathy sets/workbooks. Our kids liked Noodlers and other stuff from there.


I don't have personal experience but this looks fun, offered at Baird, I think registration for winter is opening soon. 3rd grade and above? From Baird website:

Hate Math? It's not your fault. Love Math? We get it. Explore all things mathy in this pioneering, inquiry-oriented club that will boost your math morale. The Good Times Math Gang is a one-room schoolhouse approach to learning math whose mission is to engage participants of all ages in opportunities to explore, wonder, think, play, reason, notice, and question in the context of authentic mathematical activity. Be excited about math. Good Times Math Gang is taught by: Dr. Steven Greenstein, PH.D Mathematics Education, M.S. and B.S. Mathematics, and Grand Poobah of all things Mathy, (the guy knows math); has 15 years experience teaching math geeks and mathphobes alike. He is kind, supportive and extremely patient with a polite, friendly tone, a rapier wit, and an honest to goodness passion for teaching mathematics. Michael Steiner is a certified teacher of mathematics who thinks about math even when he's thinking of other things. His brain moves at the speed of lightening and he can talk even faster. But he is also listening and paying close attention to you, even when he is being a goofball. Michael loves math so much he wants to marry it-- but he can't-- so he'll settle for being part of Math Gang, which he loves, too.


I second Math Gang at the Baird. My son took that class and loved it. If you contact the teacher, maybe he will make an age exception. Don't talk to the woman at the front desk of the Baird. She won't let you register if you don't make the cut-off.


My son has a Star Wars Math Workbook he loves. Maybe there's a character-based book you can get her that she can work on independently.


http://www.l3-academy.com/


Plenty of fun math programs as well as technology, engineering, science, and robotics. It's a 20 minute drive from South Orange.



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