One of the most popular games for kids is Uno. But did you know that Uno can also be used as a math game? In fact, with a little creativity, Uno cards can become an excellent math learning tool for children of all ages. From youngsters who are still working on numbers recognition all the way up to older kids who are dealing with more difficult mathematical concepts. Thanks to their clear numbering, numerous hands-on math learning exercises may be done using Uno cards.
Here are 10 fun, creative and engaging math games that can be played with Uno cards. These games are perfect for kids who are looking for a challenge and a way to practice their math skills as well.
Counting Game for Preschoolers
For this game, you’ll need Uno numbered cards from 1-9, some wooden or colored clothespins (you can use both but colored ones are always brighter and more fun for youngsters).
The game is pretty easy. Shuffle the Uno cards and place them upside down in a stack. The youngster picks up one card each time and places the right number of clothespins onto it.
Besides acquiring a mathematical skill, this game helps youngster to practice their fine motor skills through pinching and closing the clothespins on the cards.
Number/Color Recognition Game
This game is a modified version of the traditional Uno game so that it suits young players starting from the age of two.
To play this game, start by briefly explaining action and wild cards to the young players, distribute 5 cards to each player, place the cards face up so they are visible by other players, lay out a different mat for the draw pile (this will help young players differentiate between their own cards and the ones that’ve been already played), and once multiple cards have been drawn, simply arrange the cards on top of one another.
The game of recognizing colors and numbers here lies in the player getting rid of any card of the same color or number as the one on the top of the discard stack.
Uno and Dominoes Game
to play this game, you’ll need Uno numbered cards from 0-9 and some dominoes. Place the Uno cards face up in a grid. Then, ask the youngsters to pick a domino, count the dots on it, and place it on the Uno card that has the matching number.
Make it an addition game by stacking dominoes to the right number. in case you need numbers higher than 9, consider making your own cards or simply writing the numbers down on a piece of paper.
Uno Flip
For this game you need: Uno numbered cards, pen, paper, and some sticky notes.
- Create an addition equation as follows: write the symbols + and = on the sticky notes and arrange them face up on the table with space between them for the Uno cards to fit.
- Split your deck of Uno numbered cards into two piles and arrange the piles above the spaces you left in the previous step.
- Turn one card from each pile over, and insert it into the addition equation.
To practice mental math, say the result aloud as rapidly as you can. And write the addition sentence, along with the solution, onto your piece of paper if the goal is practicing writing equations.
Continue to turn over two cards at a time, saying or writing each response as described above.
Change the addition symbol to a multiplication symbol to practice times tables.
Make the game more challenging by only playing Uno cards with higher numbers.
And make the game even more competitive by having two players; the winner among them is the one who solves the equation before the other.
Addition Game
This game is very similar to “Uno Flip” but with a little amendment.
For this one you need: Uno numbered cards from 0-9, some sticky notes, some snap cubes/Lego pieces, colorful markers and a paper.
Perform the first three steps as stated in the previous game “‘Uno Flip”.
After that, have the children construct the number on both cards using Snap Cubes/Lego pieces of the same color. The sum might then be created by pushing the cubes together (or counting the Lego pieces).
Finally, record the equation on the paper (for a better number writing practice). Using colorful markers at this step can make it more fun and engaging for young kids.
Attributes Game
Learning about attributes, or the traits used to describe an object, is critical for the development of early mathematical skills. Through this game, kids will be able to think about and discuss attributes connected to numbers, colors, and patterns. Hence while playing, kids will have the chance to describe, compare and contrast between the cards they are using.
For this game you’ll need: Uno numbered cards from 1-9 (or from 1-5 for beginner players or smaller group of players), a paper and a pencil to score points, in addition to 2-4 players.
Shuffle the Uno cards and distribute them equally among the players.
Select a starting player who will choose a card from their hand and lay it face up on the play area’s left side. The player who comes after chooses and lays down a card with just one attribute that differs from the card that has been just played. for instance, if the first player deals a yellow 5. The following player can continue to use the same color, but with a new number and throw a yellow 3 . However, the third player can deal a red 3 keeping the number as it is this time and changing the color.
The game continues until one player (the winner) runs out of cards entirely or when nobody can play any further cards. in this case, you can either declare the player with the least number of cards as the winner or give this title to the player whose cards have the lowest combined value when the number values are added (for older kids).
To make the game last longer, keep track of the value of the cards in each player’s hand after each round. When a player’s total score exceeds a predetermined amount, such as 25 or 50, the player with the lowest total score is considered the winner.
Flip 10
Arrange Uno numbered cards in 4 rows of 5 cards each. Next, turn over two cards. Keep the two cards and deal two more from the deck if the total of the two cards is 10. When there are no more matches left, the game is over The player with the most cards wins the game.
You can modify the game a little bit for younger players and ask them to flip cards with a total of 5, 6, 7… instead of 10.
Number Value War
For this game, you’ll need Uno numbered cards of all colors (use 2 sets if you want to extend the round or play for more digits) in addition to a pen and paper to score points.
Each player receives two, three, or four piles of cards, depending on whether they are playing for tens, hundreds, or thousands.
Each player then flips the top card from each of his stacks to start the game. The battle is won by the player whose number has the highest value, who then puts all of his own and his opponents’ cards into a prisoner pile.
The game continues until the player who has the most cards in his prisoner pile is declared the winner.
Each round, a player may rearrange the cards they have already revealed to create the largest possible number. The winner of the battle is the one who can create the highest value number.
The winner of each battle receives one point, and the scores are noted on a sheet of paper. The winner is the first person to win a predetermined number of rounds, let’s say 10, before anyone else.
Don’t forget to emphasize that during each round, players must orally state the number they have made.
To check their level of understanding, ask the young players randomly to state which numeral constitutes the ones, tens, hundreds…
Number Value Pyramid
This game is very similar to the previous “ Number Value War”. However, in this one, Uno numbered cards are arranged hierarchically.
With their cards facing down, players construct a pyramid which base consists of 4 cards (thousands), followed by a layer of 3 cards (hundreds), then a layer of two cards (tens) and finally a layer of one card (ones).
Then, they start by flipping the (ones) over. Whoever has the higher number receives both cards. The tens are then turned over. All four cards are dealt to the player who has the higher number, etc.
Multiplication War
For this game you’ll need: Uno numbered cards (Use the numbers that suit your child’s level) and two young players.
Shuffle the cards then place them face down in the center of your table.
The first player starts by revealing the top two cards from the center pile. The other player does as well. The numbers on each player’s pair of cards are multiplied together. The battle is won by the player whose cards have the highest value, putting all of his own and his opponents’ cards into a prisoner pile.
The game continues until every card has been used. The winner is the player who has the most cards in his prisoner pile.
Each winning battle earns one point, with the scores being noted on a piece of paper. The winner is the first person to win a predetermined number of rounds, let’s say 10, in a row.
It’s your turn now… leave a comment telling us which one did you prefer among the 10 games we presented in this article or tell us if there is any special math game you might know with Uno cards. And don’t forget to share this post with all of your friends and family
