Best Apps for Math

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Today we’re going to continue with our 10 Best Apps Series. We’re going to talk about the best apps for math. There are hundreds of math apps available; but not all apps have real educational value. And there are some math apps that don’t make my best apps for math list because, honestly, they are just downright boring. The purpose of an app is so our kids can learn in a fun and engaging way. If the app doesn’t hold their attention, learning isn’t going to happen. Consider using a math app as a fun tool to help your child get some extra practice in a math skill they are struggling to master. Remember the best apps for math or any subject will not be mindless, zone out play for your child. Instead, it will challenge and engage them.

You’ll find math apps for all ages and devices below. In case you missed my Best Apps for Science post, you might be wondering why I share apps for all devices. You can jump over to that post and read my thoughts on it there.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OTHER GREAT APPS? CHECK OUT MY BEST APP SERIES!

And now, on with the show list . . .

Best Apps for Math

#1 Dragon Box Algebra 5+

Recommended Ages: 5-9

With Dragon Box Algebra 5+, kids as young as five can easily begin to grasp the processes for solving linear equations. Best of all, they don’t even realizing they are learning. Dragon Box Algebra 5+ is intuitive and fun. Players learn how to solve equations in a game environment where they are encouraged to experiment and be creative. By manipulating cards and trying to isolate the DragonBox on one side of the game board, the player gradually learns the operations required to isolate X on one side of an equation. Over time, the cards are replaced with numbers and variables, revealing the addition, division, and multiplication operators the player has been learning throughout the game.  Kids can play this game on their own; however, this is a game you can play along with your kids. And, you might be surprised to find you’ll might brush up on some valuable math skills in the process.

Awards:

• 2013 ON for Learning Award
• Best Educational Game from 2012 Fun and Serious Games Festival
• App of the Year from GullTasten 2012
• Editor’s Choice Award from Children’s Technology Review

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

 

#2 Marble Math

Recommended Ages: 9-11

Kids learn math concepts by solving a variety of math problems as they roll their marble through a series of fun mazes collecting numbers. Get an answer wrong, no problem. Marble Math gives you the option to replay the question or show the correct answer before moving on to the next problem. Parents can customize game-play to concentrate on specific math concepts by selecting problem types for each player and level. This means you can target the app for your child or just let the game run with the random problem generation for unlimited practice and play. Want to use this for more than one child? That’s easy! Add as many custom profiles as you like. Individual game settings and progress are saved in each player profile. Create different player profiles, each tailored for specific practice and abilities.

Awards:

• Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Design
• Common Sense Media ON for Learning Award Winner

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

#3 Math Land: Addition Games for Kids

Recommended Ages: 5-12

This cute pirate-themed math game makes practicing math super fun! In the game, your child must help max find stolen gems by solving math problems. Throughout the gameplay, your child will have a chance to practice addition, subtraction, numbering, multiplication, and division. And with 25 different levels featuring a variety of games (from puzzles to obstacles), your child will be entertained for a while with this game.

The game is broken into educational gameplay for children of different age groups:

• Children aged 5 and 6 can practice addition and subtraction under 10, sorting numbers, and mental arithmetic of small numbers.
• Children aged 7 to 8 can practice addition and subtraction under 20, basic multiplication tables, sorting numbers up to 50, and mental arithmetic based on addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
• Children age 9 and up can practice complex addition and subtraction, all multiplication tables, sorting numbers (including negative numbers), math equations with negative numbers, mental division, and mental arithmetic based on sums, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

In App Purchases: Yes
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS       Android 

 

#4 Monkey Math School Sunshine

Recommended Ages: 3-6

Monkey Math School Sunshine has fun graphics that are eye catching for young learners. There are nine different simple yet educational math-based mini games. Kids don’t need to read in order to play the game. A cute monkey walks you through the game with spoken instructions. Topics covered in the game include addition and subtraction, number recognition, patterns, and number sequencing. Parents don’t have to worry about 3^rd party ads or in-app purchases.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

 

#5 Squeebles Maths Bingo

Recommended Ages: 5-11

The Maths Monster has been at it again! This time he’s frightened all of Ruby’s customers away from her ice cream and bingo parlour and has stolen all the ice cream ingredients. Kids help Ruby get her ingredients back and convince customers to return by answering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems in a fun bingo card game.  Unlimited player profiles can be registered, making this app ideal for classroom use as well as for using at home. Stats are available for each player so parents and teachers can see how they’re doing. Parents don’t have to worry about 3^rd party ads or in-app purchases.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

 

#6 DragonBox Elements

Recommended Ages: 8 & up

Dragonbox Elements takes the same approach to geometry as Dragonbox Algebra 5 and 12 – allowing kids to learn advanced math concepts through fun, interactive games. This really is an app for the entire family. That’s the strength of Dragonbox, it encourages parent/child interaction. By playing the 100+ puzzles in DragonBox Elements, kids (and adults, too) will gain a deep understanding of the logic of geometry. You’ll explore the properties of geometric shapes through Euclidian proof: triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, right angles, line segments, parallel and transversal lines, vertical angles, corresponding angles, corresponding angles converse, and more. Players use shapes and their properties to create mathematical proofs, all through fun exploration and discovery. Family learning in such a fun way easily gets this DragonBox Elements on my best apps for math list!

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

 

#7 Hands-On Equations 1

Recommended Ages: 9-11

Hands-On Equations is a great app to introduce algebra to elementary and middle school-aged kids. It consists of six lessons and one review lesson. There are more than 80 equations for the student to enjoy and solve! Hands-On Equations is not gamified quite as much as Dragonbox Algebra 5+, but kids will definitely have fun and their sense of self-esteem will grow as they learn to master sophisticated looking algebraic equations. Older students who need help with algebra will also benefit from Hands-On Equations. This app is not so childish in appearance and may just teach kids to understand key concepts of algebra that have held them back. Hands-On Equations is designed to accommodate multiple users while keeping track of the problems solved by each user. In other words, it can be used by multiple members of a family at the same time.  Additional levels of Hands-On Equations are available. So, you can continue learning at a higher level.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

#8 Math Duel – 2 Player Math Game

Recommended Ages: 9-adult

Math Duel is a split screen mathematics game that pits two players against each other on the same device! This is a great game to play with your kids, or let siblings and friends challenge each other. You can enable more operations and digits for adults who are playing younger children. It’s so easy to adjust the settings for both players to ensure an equal playing field. Learning or brushing up on math has never been so fun! And what makes this especially notable on my best apps for math list is the fact that the app itself encourages game play with another person.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Kindle

#9 Math vs Zombies

Recommended Age Range: 5 to 11

This educational take on the popular Plants vs Zombies game will have your kids loving math! In this educational game, your child is a member of a squad of highly trained scientists who are attempting to save the world from zombies. To stop the zombie attack, your child must use their math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The game features four different worlds with 28 levels, which means your kids can use this game to practice their math for a while! And the game is aligned with common core state standards for kindergarten through fourth grade, so your kids can reinforce the skills they’re learning in school. It even comes with a detailed report card section so you can monitor their progress as they play.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS      Android      Kindle

#10 ELMO LOVES 123s

Recommended Age Range: 3 to 6

Join Elmo and Abby as they learn about numbers 1 through 20 through interactive activities and fun videos. Each number includes three videos and three activities, a puzzle, a search and find game, and a count and fill the bucket game. Tracing and coloring pages are also available for each number. While Elmo takes care of the counting aspects of the game, Abby introduces basic addition and subtraction practice by having your child add or take away monsters in different settings.

In App Purchases: Yes
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS      Android      Kindle

# 11 CYBERCHASE SHAPE QUEST

Recommended Age Range: 6 to 9

Starring recognizable characters from the PBS show, Cyberchase, this fun geometry-focused app helps kids learn about shapes, special reasoning, and problem solving. The app features three different games aimed at building geometry skills, including 80 educational puzzles and an augmented reality game interface.

• Patch the Path: Help the animals find their home in this augmented reality game, which uses the camera to combine your child’s real world with the game’s 3D content. This game requires a game board, which is available for free at org/shapequest.
• Hide and Seek: Solve a variety of different shape puzzles to find the hidden animals.
• Feed the Critters: Practice special reasoning by feeding the hungry animals, while also watching out for walls and other obstacles along the way.

This free app requires that your device have a rear-facing camera.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS      Android      Kindle

#12 MONSTER MATH DUEL

Recommended Age Range: 6 to 10

Spanning a wide range of grade levels (first through fourth grade), this fun learning app will keep your kids entertained and educated for a long time. The fun (and unique) quality of this game is that students can compete against other kids or the computer in drill-style games and parents will can view an ongoing report of their kids’ progress in the game (including which skills their child practiced and how well they did). Within each grade level, players can choose to play all skills or focus on a specific math skill they want to practice. There are a variety of ways kids can “duel” in this app, including:

• Nearby: Allows players to add up to seven opponents via a Wi-Fi connection
• Split Screen: Allows kids to play an opponent on a single device
• VS Computer: Allows a single player to challenge a simulated computer

In addition to competing against other students on their own level, players can also duel players in different grade levels. The winner of each duel is the player with the most correct answers at the end of the timed round.

In App Purchases: Yes
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS      Android

#13 SLICE FRACTIONS

Recommended Age Range: 8 and up

Modeled after the popular slicing game themes, Slice Fractions teaches children about fractions while also challenging them to think creatively while problem solving. The app is made up of 90 leveled puzzles that require players to slice and drop fractions of a whole to complete a mission laid out by an adorable wooly mammoth. The game encompasses all parts of fraction problem solving, including introducing the concept of fractions as parts of a whole and how to read fractions and interpret the numerator and denominator. Kids are awarded with fun prizes for each complete level and are given assistance if a problem proves to challenging for them after the first few tries.

In App Purchases: No 
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS      Android

What are some of your family’s favorite apps for math?

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OTHER GREAT APPS? CHECK OUT MY BEST APP SERIES!