Add Up, a quick addition game

A simple maths game to encourage children to practice (and to share) quick addition strategies. This is suitable for 3 or more players

You need four sets of 1-10 cards. (See our Digit Cards)

One child is chosen to be the 'dealer'. The pack of cards is shuffled and when everyone is ready the dealer turns over two cards together. Whoever gives the correct total first wins the cards.

This is repeated until all the cards have been won. The person with the most cards at the end becomes the dealer for the next game.

Encourage the children to share their addition strategies by discussing the ways they used to find the sum of the cards at the end of each turn. Also encourage them to check each other’s addition as the game proceeds.

Notes:

• There is potential for excitement with this game. If necessary, encourage the children to develop a clear (such as covering the cards with their hands, as in ‘Snap’) so the caller can easily be identified.
• Changing the constituent cards in the pack changes the game considerably. Try multiple sets of 1-5 cards, or 6-10 cards, for example.
• Adjust the rules so that the winner is not the person with the most cards, but the one with the greatest total.
• Some children may be able to work with three numbers, in which case the dealer could swiftly turn over three cards each time.
• A further development would be to have one card permanently face-up on the table, say a '10'. This card is then always included in the sum: ie. dealer shows 3 and 1 - children call out 14 ( 3 + 1 + the 10 already on table). The winner keeps the 3 and 1. The 10 remaining on the table throughout the game.
   

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