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Maths Games

Card target games

Use playing cards to make totals, products or expressions.

Quick answer

Card target games are fun maths activities where you use playing cards to make specific totals, products, or expressions. They help children practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and problem-solving skills in a playful way.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will know how to use playing cards to make maths targets, and you'll understand how these games help you learn addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Success signs:
  • You can make a target number using 2 or more cards
  • You can explain how you used addition, subtraction, or multiplication
  • You can play a card target game with a friend or family member
  • You can think of your own card target game

Why this matters

Card target games help you learn important maths skills while having fun. They are great for:
  • Practising mental maths
  • Learning to think creatively about numbers
  • Building confidence with basic operations
  • Improving problem-solving skills
Whether you're playing at home with your family or in class with your teacher, these games help you understand how numbers work together. You might use them when you're shopping, cooking, or even playing board games!

How it works

Card target games are simple to start:
  1. Take out some playing cards (usually 2-6 cards)
  2. Choose a target number (like 10 or 15)
  3. Use the cards to make that number
  4. Use any maths operations you know: addition (+), subtraction (-), or multiplication (×)
You can play with any number of cards and any target. The more cards you use, the more challenging the game becomes.

Examples you can see

Let's look at some examples of card target games. Example 1: Addition You have cards: 5, 3, 2 Your target is: 10 How can you make 10? Answer: 5 + 3 + 2 = 10 Example 2: Multiplication You have cards: 4, 3, 2 Your target is: 12 How can you make 12? Answer: 4 × 3 = 12 (or 2 × 6 = 12, but you don't have a 6, so 4 × 3 works) Example 3: Mixed operations You have cards: 6, 4, 2 Your target is: 8 How can you make 8? Answer: 6 + 4 - 2 = 8 Example 4: Using all cards You have cards: 7, 5, 3 Your target is: 15 How can you make 15? Answer: 7 + 5 + 3 = 15

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Card Explorer's Quest You are a brave explorer who has found a treasure map. The map has numbers on it that are the targets you must find using playing cards. Each number is a clue to a different treasure chest. Quest 1: The Chest of Addition You find a chest with the number 12 on it. Cards you have: 8, 4, 2 How do you get 12? Answer: 8 + 4 = 12 Quest 2: The Chest of Multiplication You find a chest with the number 18 on it. Cards you have: 6, 3, 2 How do you get 18? Answer: 6 × 3 = 18 Quest 3: The Chest of Mixed Maths You find a chest with the number 10 on it. Cards you have: 5, 3, 4 How do you get 10? Answer: 5 + 3 + 4 = 12 (too big) or 5 + 4 - 3 = 6 (too small) or 5 × 2 = 10 (but you don't have a 2) Quest 4: The Chest of All Cards You find a chest with the number 20 on it. Cards you have: 9, 7, 4 How do you get 20? Answer: 9 + 7 + 4 = 20 Quest 5: The Chest of Mystery You find a chest with the number 15 on it. Cards you have: 10, 5, 3 How do you get 15? Answer: 10 + 5 = 15 You've found all the treasures! You're a master of card target games!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Using the same card twice Why it happens: Not thinking carefully about the rules Fix: Make sure each card is used only once, or check if the game allows repeats
  • Mistake: Forgetting to use all the cards Why it happens: Thinking it's okay to leave some cards unused Fix: Always try to use all the cards you have to make your target
  • Mistake: Using the wrong operation Why it happens: Not knowing which operation to use Fix: Try different operations until you find one that works
  • Mistake: Making a mistake in the calculation Why it happens: Not double-checking the maths Fix: Count or calculate again to make sure your answer is correct

Parent and carer guide

Playing card target games at home is a great way to help your child learn maths. Here's how you can support them:
  • Start simple: Begin with small numbers and fewer cards
  • Be encouraging: Praise your child for trying, even if they don't get the right answer
  • Play together: Try a game yourself to show you're learning too
  • Use real examples: Talk about how you use maths in daily life, like when shopping or cooking
  • Ask questions: "How did you solve that?" or "Can you think of another way?"
  • Keep it fun: Don't make it feel like a test, but like a game
If your child gets stuck, help them think through it by asking:
  • What cards do you have?
  • What number do you need to make?
  • What can you add, subtract, or multiply?

Practice questions

  1. You have cards: 4, 5, 3. Your target is 12. How can you make 12?
    Answer: 4 + 5 + 3 = 12
  2. You have cards: 6, 2, 4. Your target is 8. How can you make 8?
    Answer: 6 + 2 = 8
  3. You have cards: 3, 5, 2. Your target is 10. How can you make 10?
    Answer: 3 + 5 + 2 = 10
  4. You have cards: 7, 8, 1. Your target is 16. How can you make 16?
    Answer: 7 + 8 + 1 = 16
  5. You have cards: 9, 4, 3. Your target is 12. How can you make 12?
    Answer: 9 + 4 - 3 = 10 (not 12) or 9 + 3 = 12

FAQ

What age is best for card target games?

Card target games work well for children aged 4-12. Younger children can play with addition and smaller numbers, while older children can try multiplication and more complex operations.

Do I need special cards?

No, you can use any playing cards. Some games use just number cards, while others include face cards (Jack, Queen, King) with values like 10. You can also use a deck of cards with numbers 1-10 for easier games.

Can I play card target games alone?

Yes! You can play by yourself by setting a target and seeing how many different ways you can make it. This is a great way to practice your mental maths.

How can I make the game harder?

Try these ideas to make the game more challenging:

  • Use more cards (4 or 5 cards)
  • Set a higher target number
  • Use all operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication)
  • Try to make more than one target with the same cards

Are there any online versions of card target games?

Yes, there are many online games and apps that use card-based maths challenges. These can be great for extra practice or for playing when you're away from home.