Summertime is a great time to get the kids involved in some projects that you may not have had time for during the school year, so lets think about how to help our kids who may have challenges when it come to math. Yes, many kids and teens may need some extra help with math, and this is perfectly normal. Math is quite simply a part of life, though it really doesn't have to produce groans from those who find it challenging! When children (or anyone really) start to understand that math is so much more than numbers on a page, and that it applies to the great world around us, especially when geometry comes into the picture, it can take on a new light altogether. Higher levels of math such as algebra help develop critical thinking skills which conversely can be developed via crafts and DIY projects of many kinds.
So when a child or teen delves into projects that require planning and construction of any kind, their abilities to understand math can also benefit! And of course, creativity in general helps everyone in life in so many ways, including building confidence and finding joy in color and pattern just for starters. So lets take a look at ten craft projects that are not only enjoyable to make, teach math to kids and develop skills and understanding when it comes to all things numbers.
1. Let's Go Shopping For Veggies Recycling Craft
What better way to work on simple math while having fun than playing store, or in this case veggie stand? Encourage children to write itemized receipts for purchases and to add up the purchases either on their own or to make it even more fun, with a calculator. The elements of the game are quite simply fruits and veggies cut from recycled cardboard vegetable crates, though of course you can use plastic fruit and veggies or even photos mounted on cardboard. However you choose to play store, make it a great learning experience! For older children you can add lots of complicated math to the game, like how to order more and when to order etc.
For more info check out the complete tutorial for this make believe veggie store craft.
2. DIY Cardboard T-Shirts Memory Or Basic Math Skills Card Game
Grab some cereal boxes or any recycled cardboard, make a template to trace around for all the t-shirts, and then make as many t-shirts as you like, the more the better! Make a memory game with numbers to teach young children number recognition, or add addition, subtraction and divide symbols to the mix and play a game which requires simple math equations. When you aren't playing with the cards, clip them to a long string with mini clothes pins for fun kid's room decor!
If you do, here are 10 top craft projects that help teach math to kids.
3. Geometric Embroidery On A Foam Tray
There is truly nothing quite as exciting as watching geometric forms come to life as you simply stitch lines between holes poked into a recycled styro-foam food tray! These geometric shapes can be stitched on paper or cardboard as well, and used in so many ways. Of course the success of this craft is planning ahead and measuring the position of the holes as exactly as possible, which is where geometry comes into play! Who wouldn't love math if they knew it could result in fun patterns?
This craft does benefit from a bit of instruction, so do take a look at my geometric string craft tutorial.
4. DIY Sphere Ornaments From Simple Metal Bangles
This craft is so simple with such great results, that you'll want to make a whole bucket or bowl full! Understanding volume and three dimensional form is of course for older kids, but anyone can enjoy making a mobile of these forms or even using them as planets in a fun mobile. Simply attach inexpensive metal bangle bracelets to one another with wire or string, and voila!
5. Origami Of Any Kind!
The art of origami is wonderful in so many ways, and certainly something every child should try, first with very simple shapes, and then building up to more complicated subjects. And of course you don't have to use origami paper, you can even do it with starch treated fabric to make something more durable. I love to use wrapping paper to make giant origami pieces, or even thicker paper for giant origami that is stiff and can stand up, in the case of animals. Origami builds fine motor skills, spacial reasoning and memory, just to name a few benefits. Plus kids can use it to make friends and build confidence by folding fun shapes at school or camp and gifting them to friends!
6. DIY 8 Pointed Origami Star Ornaments
These 8 pointed origami star ornaments are simple to make and so great looking. They are actually made from two units of origami, and takes the idea of origami one step further. Check out the complete tutoral for my 3D paper stars with 8 points and then make a bunch to decorate a child's room, together with some tiny twinkle lights!
7. DIY Polyhexidron Mobile Craft
Geometry takes on a whole new meaning when kids learn to construct this wonderful polyhexidron from circles of cardstock or cereal box cardbox. This craft has been around for quite awhile and folks used to use old holiday greeting cards to make them. You'll need a circle punch and instruction for how to draw a triangle within the circle, perfectly, and that is it, they come together like magic! Check out my complete polyhexidron ornament tutoral! I've made these from recycled liquor boxes that are metallic, from cereal boxes that I then stencilled and one could even make them from stiff industrial felt, that sound amazing!
I hope you enjoyed this round up of crafts that not only help your kids build math skills, but also hopefully help them develop a love for all things crafting and creativity.
