Make Fractions Click: 3 Engaging Math Games for Stronger Fraction Sense
Have you ever noticed that there are many resources for building number sense with whole numbers but not nearly as many for fractions?
That just tells us it’s time to give fractions the spotlight they deserve. When students are given the right tools and experiences, they can build confidence, curiosity, and even excitement around fractions. When we make learning hands-on, playful, and meaningful, fractions can become a concept students can truly connect with, rather than one they dread.
Here are three of my favorite games that have helped my students develop strong number sense with fractions—and they really enjoy working with them!
Fraction Sequence
Ordering fractions can be tricky for students, and let’s be honest, it’s tempting to fall back on procedural teaching to get them through it. But when we rely too much on rules and shortcuts, we miss a key opportunity: helping students build real number sense.
That’s where benchmark fractions come in, and this simple game is a great way to put them into action.
This activity encourages students to compare fractions to familiar benchmarks (0, ¼, ½, ¾, and 1) and use those reference points to place fractions in order.
How to Play
Set the benchmarks by laying out 0, ¼, ½, ¾, and 1 in order across the table. These will serve as a clear visual for students to compare their fractions.
Deal six cards from the fraction deck to each player.
Take turns placing cards. On your turn, choose one fraction from your hand and place it on the table in relation to the benchmarks:
To the right of 0
On either side of ¼, ½, ¾, or 1
On top of a previously placed fraction card (a great way to bring in equivalent fractions!)
The twist? Once two cards are touching, they can’t be separated. So, if you have a card that would go between two fractions that are already side by side, you’re out of luck. That card stays in your hand!
The game continues until no one can make any more moves. The player with the fewest cards left wins!
Inspired by the In-Between Game from TERC Investigations
Want to differentiate? You can use simpler fractions for early learners or introduce mixed numbers for an added challenge!
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This game truly helps build students’ conceptual understanding of fractions. It encourages them to estimate, compare, and reason, all while engaging in fractions in a meaningful context. Students will see fractions on a number line, recognize equivalencies, and develop a deep sense of how fractions relate to one another.
The Skip Count Game
We love the Skip Count Game from Jenna Laib’s blog. It’s such an easy game that students love, and it’s so versatile since you can use whole numbers, fractions, or decimals! Anytime you have some time to fill throughout the day, just pull out the whiteboards and different colored dry-erase markers, and students will be ready to play!
How to Play
Choose a skip count pattern, such as counting by ½, ⅓, or ¼.
Set a number to start at and set a target number that students will try to reach exactly, like 5, 3½, or 2 ¼.
Players will take turns writing 1, 2, or 3 fractions that will continue the skip count pattern. For example, if students are counting by ½ and the last number written was 2, the next player might write 2 ½, 3, 3 ½.
The goal of the game is to be the player who lands exactly on the target number to win!
Check out Jenna’s blog post about the Skip Count Game to get more ideas about ways to play and learn how to introduce the game to students for the first time!
Want to switch things up? Try counting by a non-unit fraction, like ⅔ or 1 ¾, or set a mixed number as your target number to level up the challenge. This low-prep game works across multiple grade levels and is a great way to strengthen fraction fluency and number sense.
Let the Card Games Begin!
Alright, this final activity is actually two games because playing cards are just that versatile! When I play these games with students, I prefer to remove the face cards and only use the number cards. Both games are super easy to differentiate and offer another fun, hands-on way to build number sense with fractions.
Game 1: Which One’s Closer?
The goal of this game is to create a fraction as close to 1 as possible.
How to Play
Start by dealing each player two cards. Each player uses their cards to build a fraction. For example, 4 and 9 could make 4/9 or 9/4.
Using an open number line, a visual model, or their knowledge of fractions, each player compares their fraction to the value of one.
The player whose fraction is closer to one wins the round and collects all four cards.
Play continues until all cards have been used.
What I love about this game is that it is the perfect opportunity to discuss a fraction’s distance from a benchmark value, helping students develop a deeper understanding of fractions in relation to one!
Ready to stretch your students’ thinking? Try switching the benchmark value from 1 to ½ or even 2. It’s a simple tweak that can lead to powerful and flexible thinking.
Game 2: Compare It!
In this game, students are tasked with creating either the greatest or smallest fraction (depending on the teacher’s directions) to win each round.
How to Play
Each player is dealt two cards. The players create a fraction using their two cards.
Players compare their fractions based on the round’s goal (greatest or least fraction). Remember, students can use visual models, manipulatives, or their fraction knowledge to help determine a winner.
The student with the winning fraction collects all four cards, and the game continues until the entire deck is used up!
My favorite part about these games is that they encourage math discussions, giving the students a chance to explain and defend their answers, which is exactly what we want to foster as we build number sense in our classrooms!
We can’t wait for you to try these fraction games in your classroom! Did we leave out one of your favorites? Comment below to let us know about any other must-try fraction games that you love!