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Maths Without Realising

You use maths when playing board games

A short, exciting page showing children how playing board games already uses counting, chance and strategy.

Quick answer

You use maths when playing board games because board games involve counting, understanding chance, making choices, and using strategies that all use mathematical thinking.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how board games use maths in fun and exciting ways, and you can start to see maths all around you when you play. Success signs:
  • You can count spaces on a board
  • You can think about how likely something is to happen
  • You can plan your moves to win
  • You can compare how many points you and your friends have

Why this matters

Playing board games is more than just fun – it helps you use maths without even realising it. When you play, you use numbers, patterns, and logic. These skills help you in school, in real life, and in future games. Understanding how maths works in games helps you become better at problem-solving and thinking ahead.

How it works

Board games use maths in many ways:
  1. Counting – You move your piece by counting spaces or dice rolls.
  2. Chance – You use dice or spinners, which have different chances of landing on different numbers.
  3. Strategy – You plan your moves to get the best result.
  4. Comparing – You count points or pieces to see who’s winning.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a few board games and how maths is used. Example 1: Snakes and Ladders In Snakes and Ladders, you roll a dice to move your piece. If you roll a 4, you move 4 spaces. That’s counting! You also might land on a ladder and go up, or a snake and go down – that’s using strategy. Example 2: Monopoly In Monopoly, you roll two dice to move around the board. You might land on a property and need to pay money. You count how much money you have, and you might decide to buy a property or not. This is using maths to make choices. Example 3: Board Game with Cards In a card game, you might have 5 cards and need to choose which one to play. You count how many cards you have, and you think about what your opponent might do next. That’s using maths to make smart decisions.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt Game You are going on a treasure hunt with your friends. You have a map with a grid. You start at the top left corner and must move to the treasure. You roll a dice to move. You can move up, down, left, or right. How to play:
  1. Start at the top left corner
  2. Roll the dice to move that many spaces
  3. Count the number of steps you take
  4. Use strategy to get to the treasure
Mini Challenge:
  1. 1st time: Roll the dice and move 3 spaces
  2. 2nd time: Roll the dice and move 5 spaces
  3. 3rd time: Roll the dice and move 2 spaces
  4. 4th time: Roll the dice and move 6 spaces
  5. 5th time: Roll the dice and move 1 space
How many spaces did you move in total?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking you can’t win because you didn’t roll the right number.
    Why it happens: You might think chance is always fair, but it’s not always the same.
    Fix: You can still make good choices even if you don’t roll the number you want.
  • Mistake: Not counting your moves.
    Why it happens: You might be too focused on the fun and forget to count.
    Fix: Count your moves as you go to make sure you are moving correctly.
  • Mistake: Not thinking ahead about your strategy.
    Why it happens: You might just play randomly without thinking.
    Fix: Try to think about where you want to go and what your next move should be.

Parent and carer guide

Playing board games is a great way to help your child use maths. Here’s how:
  • Ask questions while playing: “How many spaces did you move?” or “What number did you roll?”
  • Encourage planning: “Where do you want to go next?” or “What will happen if you go there?”
  • Use real-life examples: “You have 10 coins, and you spend 3. How much do you have left?”
  • Play together and show how you use maths: “I’m counting my points to see if I’m winning.”
  • Be patient and positive: If they make a mistake, help them learn, not criticize.

Practice questions

  1. You roll a dice and get a 5. How many spaces do you move?
  2. You are on space 8 and roll a 3. What space are you on now?
  3. You roll two dice. One shows 4 and the other shows 2. What is the total?
  4. You have 7 points and win 3 more. How many points do you have now?
  5. You roll a dice and get a 1. What is the chance of rolling a 1?
Answers:
  1. 5 spaces
  2. Space 11
  3. 6
  4. 10 points
  5. 1 in 6 chance

FAQ

Why do board games use maths?

Board games use maths to make them fair, fun, and interesting. Counting helps you move, chance makes it exciting, and strategy helps you win.

Can I use maths in any board game?

Yes! Almost all board games use maths. Even simple games like Snakes and Ladders use counting and chance.

How can I help my child learn more maths through games?

You can play games together, ask questions, and talk about what is happening. You can also use games to practice counting, adding, and thinking ahead.

What if my child doesn’t like board games?

Try different games and find ones that match their interests. You can also play simple maths games at home, like counting objects or making up stories with numbers.

Are there any board games that are especially good for learning maths?

Yes! Games like Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, and even simple games like Yahtzee are great for learning maths. They involve counting, adding, and planning.