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6 Easy-to-Prep Stations for a Family Math Night in K-1

Math, Teacher Support

Written by: Jess Dalrymple

Hosting a Family Math Night doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are 6 easy-to-set-up math stations that will get families involved in fun, hands-on activities while practicing essential math skills. Each station is designed to help kids in grades K-1 build math confidence, practice key concepts, and engage with their families in a meaningful way!

1. Guess How Many?

Materials: A jar, small items (buttons, coins, or beads), slips of paper for guesses

How It Works: Fill a jar with small items and ask families to guess how many items are inside. Write down their guesses and then reveal the actual number.

Why It’s Important: This activity helps develop estimation skills, which are critical for understanding number sense. It also encourages discussion about counting and comparing amounts.

an estimation station for a family math night
Download this resource here.

2. Dice Addition Race

Materials: Dice, paper, pencil

How It Works: Players roll two dice, add the numbers together, and write down their total. Keep rolling and adding until someone reaches a target number, like 40.

Why It’s Important: Dice addition practices basic addition skills and helps students become more comfortable with mental math. It also reinforces number recognition and the concept of adding two numbers together.

a roll and race center for a family math night
Download this resource here.

3. Shape Guessing Box

Materials: Box, various objects (shapes like cubes, spheres, and pyramids)

How It Works: Have kids reach into the box without peeking, feel an object, and guess its shape. After guessing, they can pull out the object to check their answer.

Why It’s Important: This station develops geometry skills by encouraging children to recognize and name 2D and 3D shapes. It also enhances sensory learning as they use touch to identify different shapes.

a welcome to our math night packet cover
Download this resource here.

4. Pattern Making

Materials: 10-20 objects (buttons, blocks, beads)

How It Works: Start by creating a simple pattern with the objects (e.g., red, blue, red, blue) and challenge families to continue the pattern or create their own.

Why It’s Important: This activity supports understanding patterns, which is foundational for learning about sequence, symmetry, and repetition in math. It also helps with problem-solving skills

a pattern parade center for a family math night
Download this resource here.

5. Coin Sorting and Counting

Materials: Coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters), paper to record amounts

How It Works: Give families a collection of coins to sort by type (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters). Then, have them count how many coins they have and calculate the total value.

Why It’s Important: This station strengthens money skills, which are an important real-life math application. It also teaches counting in increments and introduces the concept of place value.

a coin sort and count for a family math night
Download this resource here.

6. Math Bingo

Materials: Bingo boards with math problems (addition/subtraction within 20), tokens to cover spaces

How It Works: Call out simple addition or subtraction problems (e.g., 3 + 2) and have players cover the correct answer on their bingo card. The first one to get five in a row wins!

Why It’s Important: Bingo is a great way to practice math facts (addition/subtraction) and encourages number fluency. It also creates a fun, competitive way to practice math within a group setting.

a number board bingo for a family math night
Download this resource here.

Why Family Math Night is a Game-Changer

Family Math Night isn’t just about crunching numbers—it’s all about boosting confidence! When families team up and work through fun math stations together, kids start to feel more sure of their abilities. Seeing their parents join in shows them that math is a fun challenge, not something to be afraid of. Plus, when parents help out in the moment, they’re reinforcing what their kids are learning in the classroom, making everything click a little more.


Ready to make your Family Math Night a total hit? Get everything you need to set up all 6 easy-to-prep stations—including a letter to invite families—for just $1! These stations will help make your event both fun and educational, giving families the perfect chance to practice important math skills, build confidence, and bond over exciting activities. Best of all, they’re super simple to set up with minimal materials, making your event stress-free and totally enjoyable! Grab everything you need today for just $1 and get ready for an unforgettable Family Math Night!

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