Math is more than arithmetic, geometry, or algebra. It's also a language that describes everything in the universe to a precision far beyond what words convey, as well as a system of logical thinking.
Yet math is not a natural language for many kids. They may struggle not only with understanding math concepts, but also with understanding why it should matter to them.
But when kids become immersed in math games and activities, they learn in spite of their misgivings. Make your math lessons engaging, exciting and fun with these top math apps and websites, many of which are free or modestly priced.
Best Math Sites for Education
Illustrative Mathematics Curriculum
Founded in 2011 at the University of Arizona, Illustrative Mathematics is a research-based, standards-aligned comprehensive set of K-12 math curricula, including lesson plans, professional learning, and community support. Site visitors can browse lessons without logging in, but to explore the full curriculum, educators must create a free account and verify their identity.
Better Explained
Founded by a former Microsoft program manager, Better Explained aims to help students grasp math concepts, using real-world illustrations, colorized text, metaphors, and humor. This site isn’t just about math -- it’s also about how people learn. Explore topics such as “Learning math? Think like a cartoonist,” “Learning to Learn: Math Abstraction,” and many others. Informative and enjoyable.
What If Math
A fascinating free site dedicated to the idea of math as an experimental science and the use of spreadsheets to understand and solve problems, What if Math was created by math educators seeking a better way to teach math concepts. Dozens of spreadsheets cover topics from “Absolute Value Functions” through “What is x?” while the ebook What if..the Idea that Changed the World investigates the centuries-old basis for our current math education and how it no longer applies to our modern world.
Math Playground
No account is required to “give your brain a workout” with this extensive collection of math, logic, skills, and word games for K-6 students. Created by educator Coleen King, Math Playground is kidSAFE/COPPA Certified and includes only COPPA-certified children's ads. Want to go ad-free? Consider the modestly priced premium plans for teachers, as low as $5 monthly for an entire classroom. Shareable in Google Classroom.
ClassPad
A free online math tool that provides a digital “scratch pad” to solve any math problem, including calculus, geometry, graphing, statistics, and more, Classpad’s intuitive, sophisticated workspace is easy to try with no account set up required. Users can also quickly sign in with their Google account. A Tech & Learning Back to School award winner. `
Math is Fun
When I come across an interesting free site that looks like it was last updated in the year 2000, I investigate more deeply to be sure that's not the case. Although Math is Fun presents a dated interface, the site is fully functional and up-to-date. Moreover, its math games and logic puzzles are fascinating and, in some cases, unique. Well worth investigating . Free, no account required. Bonus: the "Hide Ads" feature will keep ads hidden for 36 hours. Ads can also be blocked by your browser's ad blocker.
ABCYA
Terrific resource for educational games in a wide range of subjects including math. Games can be searched by Common Core State Standards, as well as Next Generation Science Standards. Fully free for desktop use, premium plan for mobile devices.
Funbrain
The aptly named Funbrain offers a fine selection of math games and videos for kids in grades preK-8, searchable by grade and topic. Free, no account required.
iKnowIt
A comprehensive interactive math practice site for K-5 students, IKnowit's generous 30-day free trial (no credit card required) allows teachers to fully experience the site before purchasing. The annual cost of $150 provides access to more than 500 Common Core State Standard-aligned math lessons for one teacher and 25 students, each of whom has their own login. Clear navigation and good design makes it a pleasure to explore.
Math Games
A variety of fun, imaginative math skill games are offered free (with blockable ads) or as part of modestly-priced monthly or annual plans for teachers. District-level membership is also available. Searchable by grade, category, standard and skill.
Math Game Time
Large selection of free educational math games, videos, and worksheets, searchable by topic and grade. Despite the early Web 2.0 interface, the site is easy to navigate and loads quickly. No account required.
RoomRecess
Free K-6 educational math games, quizzes, and puzzles. No account required.
Zapzapmath
A curriculum-aligned site for math grades K-6, with an online teacher dashboard for tracking student progress and creating reports. The free basic account allows for one class of up to forty students, and provides teachers’ guides and student reports.
Best Math Apps for Education
Monsters vs. Fractions iOS
Free Common Core-aligned app that helps kids learn fractions through mystery, monsters, and zombies. 'Nuff said.
Mystery Math Town iOS
An adventure-style math game for kids 6-12 that covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students enter a town and try to unlock levels and characters by solving equations and finding variables.
Math and Sorcery iOS
An iOS games for learning basic math skills through playing an old-school 8bit-style role-playing game. Free with in-app purchases.
Moose Math - Duck Duck Moose iOS Android
Top-rated multi-level math game that allows kids ages 3-7 to earn rewards and decorate cities by solving math problems disguised as adventures. Topics include counting, sorting, arithmetic, geometry, and more. Common Core-aligned for kindergarten and first grade.
Prodigy Math Game iOS Android
Prodigy uses an adaptive game-based learning approach to engage students grades 1-8 in building and practicing math skills. Math questions are aligned with state-level curricula, including Common Core and TEKS.
Math Attax iOS Android
A fast-paced single or two-player mobile math shooting game. Players practice arithmetic while playing five math games. Tournament mode offers extra excitement.
