It's no secret that lots of practice makes perfect, but sometimes repetition can become boring. That's why games are such an awesome way to make learning fun. Whenever my kids are engaged, they learn so much more, as opposed to being forced to do that plain black and white drill to s-'kill' worksheet. Apart from creating resources, I am also constantly sourcing out other educational activities that are readily available and easily accessible on the Internet. There is an abundance of educational games that are free to play, ready to click and go. However, sometimes in the rush of the crazy teacher life, sourcing games of such educational value can be a stretch when time and stress levels reach high points. That's why, this week, I'm sharing with you a fun collection of free to play multiplication games that you can bookmark and have ready at your fingertips to assign to a student or your class. I'm pretty picky at the games I choose, there's lots of free stuff on the web, but I've weeded through them to share with you some of the best!

If you are looking for ways to add some fun to practicing rounding numbers, then  check out these fun and free online rounding games. Make the games a part of your math centers if you have iPads, tablets, or computers available (with Internet access), or encourage to play at home to get some extra rounding math practice in. 

Planning a week filled with Easter activities that are fun and yet still educational? Well, here is another free resource that you can add to your collection for your math sessions this week.

These Easter 'What's the question?' cards are great to help your students create their own Easter themed math word problems.

How to use
There are 30 cards in this set. Hopefully, that should be enough for at least one card per student. If you have more than 30 students, you’ll need to either make an extra set of cards OR pair students for the activity (one card per pair).

Students pick one card at random and keep their card a secret. On the blank card (or piece of paper) they must create a math word problem that will equal to the answer on the card that they have. For example, “The answer is 3 bunnies” – They know that the math question they make must equal 3 and be bunnies.
Once they finish writing their word problem, they must write their name on the back and either hand back to you, place in a box or get ready to swap with another student.

Give the student made word problems (at random from a box or swapped) to other students. Each student must solve the problem given, and then find the creator of it to see if they answered correctly. Alternatively, you could complete the questions as a class and ‘check in’ with the maker of the word problem to see if it was answered correctly by everyone.  

CLICK HERE to download for FREE from my TPT Store.
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Easter Reading Mystery - Once Upon a Crime, Easter EGGpocalypse!

Easter Reading Mystery: Once Upon A Crime, Easter 'EGGpocalypse.' 
​NO PREP, just print and go! 
- The main goal in this mystery is to encourage reading. 
- The work involved to solve the clues covers skills such as comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, synonyms, cause and effect statements, that work with the reading passages. 
- The discovery format requires a fill in the missing letter process to unlock clues. 
- Reading the text is required to be able to solve the missing letters in words, sentences and statements. 
- Each clue requires students to critically think to decide which suspects they can eliminate from their suspect list. The last suspect remaining is who is responsible for the Easter Eggpocalypse.

All of the reading passages are included in this original story that features your 'student detective' as the hero throughout. 

Mastering how to simplify fractions is a key skill required throughout studying fractions within a unit and in higher grades. However, the 'traditional basic drill worksheets will make your kids lose focus easily, and will make the exercise feel like a chore. But, getting lots of practice with simplifying fractions doesn't have to be a bore! This week, I've compiled some fun games kids can explore to work on this skill. The three games outlined are easily accessed through your web browser for FREE! Check them out below.

If you are looking for a way to get more fun simplifying fraction practice for your kids, you may also like the Math Mystery 'Case of The Shogun's Sword.' Students must simplify fractions to discover important clues that will help them solve who stole the Shogun's Sword. Available in three different versions for you to choose the level of difficulty you would like. The clues are interchangeable between grade levels for easy customization and differentiation. 

CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL FOR PLACE VALUE DIFFICULTY
First up, you need to choose the place value range of difficulty you wish to practice. As you can see in the image below, the levels vary from 3-digit to 7-digit numbers. Depending on the age and ability of the player, you can easily adjust the game to suit his/her practice needs. 
​

​HOW TO PLAY
A math problem will appear on the top of the screen along with four possible answers.  Click the correct answer to have a new house added to your town.

Progression will unlock new levels to add trees, cars and other exciting objects.

The AIM OF THE GAME is to make your town as beautiful as possible (the more practice along with correct answers = a nicer town). Players can click the 'Show Off' button to view their town without the math questions. 

CLICK HERE TO PLAY THIS PLACE VALUE GAME!
Instant access for free, no sign up required. 

This beautiful game will make practicing place value fun and is worth the screen time on this. Whether a teacher or a parent, I think it is a game worth adding to your screen time list of games to play.  ​

To find and access more Place Value online games CLICK HERE

You may also like this fun Place Value Math Mystery activity, "Case of The Puzzled Pirate."
It comes with an optional Video Hook --- view below:

Check out some of the feedback from other teachers who have used this Place Value Math Mystery with their students:

CLICK ON THE INDIVIDUAL GRADE COVERS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PLACE VALUE SKILLS & DIFFICULTY LEVELS COVERED IN EACH VERSION.