The third grade is a big one. Kids start learning division and are expected to have all the math operations down. This sounds daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! We just might have the right solution with our top picks for the best 3rd-grade math board games.
You can turn pizza slices into fractions or become math detectives to solve problems. Get your kids up to speed and solidify those math skills — all while having fun.
🏆 Our Top Picks for Best 3rd Grade Math Board Games
In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.
Proof!
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 10-20 minutes
Become a mental math master with Proof!
Proof! is a card game that allows kids to practice all the math operations. Set up the numbered cards in a 3×3 grid. Take turns finding three cards you can connect with a math operation of your choice. Keep the cards you use. The player with the most cards at the end wins.
This game is accessible for multiple levels. Younger learners may opt for addition and subtraction, while more advanced players can use multiplication and division. Either way, it gets them to use critical thinking and review all the math operations.
It makes a great center in classroom learning or a fun way to practice at home. You should try it for yourself, though. The proof is in the pudding!
Fracto
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 15 minutes
Fracto is a card game all about fractions. The fraction cards are represented in pictures, numbers, and words. Kids can recognize different ways to show the same numerical value.
Work to make pairs of equal value. There are three ways to play. The games are simple to learn and play a bit like Crazy Eights, Speed, or Memory, but with fractions as the primary focus. If you are down to two cards in any game, don’t forget to yell “Fracto!”
With Fracto, math learning takes a fraction of the time, but it’s a whole lot of fun.
Blobby’s Pizza
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 20-40 minutes
Welcome to Blobby’s Pizza! What kid doesn’t love pizza? Not only is it delicious, it provides a real-life scenario to help kids practice fractions.
On this menu, there are different types of pizzas. Pizza cards come with various fractions of the whole pizza. Collect cards to make whole pizzas. One card might represent 2 out of 12 slices, showing as 2/12 or 1/6.
You can have five cards in your hand — or plate — at a time. Extra cards remain face-up on the table. But beware, hungry players might steal them! Monster cards enable you to steal pizza, switch directions, or exchange entire plates with another player.
Complete the most pizzas to win. But keep in mind some pizzas are worth different points. Cheese is always cheaper than supreme. So tally up those bills and see whose is the highest!
Mathological Liar (Grade 3)
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 20 minutes
Put on those detective hats! It’s time to uncover who the Mathological Liar is.
A crime has been committed, and it is up to this group of crime solvers to find the culprit. Each player will get a Suspect Card. Each suspect has an alibi with a math equation. Innocent individuals have done their math correctly. However, the criminal’s story doesn’t quite add up. Do the math to determine who is telling the truth and who is guilty. If you can solve the problems, you solve the case!
This series is aligned with the math standards for each grade, so rest assured it’s on target for your third graders.
Sushi Go!
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 15 minutes
Sushi Go! is reminiscent of a conveyor belt-style restaurant.
Sushi cards whiz by each round. You must look at your hand and the sushi flying by to decide what to pick and pass on.
Each type of sushi is worth different points. The most maki wins bonus points. Add wasabi to your nigiri to triple its score. Collect chopsticks and you get a bonus sushi card. The game is played in three rounds. Don’t forget to save the best for last! The player with the most pudding wins extra points at the end.
Kids of varying levels can enjoy this game. The cute cards make collecting points easy to understand. The mechanics are just challenging enough to keep more advanced players happy. Get ready to strategize so you can feast on the highest-scoring sushi!
Clumsy Thief
Players: 2-6
Playing time: 15 minutes
Get speedy and silly with Clumsy Thief!
Clumsy Thief is a card game that has kids counting money. And it’s all about the Benjamins in this game. The goal is to make pairs that add up to $100 ($60+$40, $50+$50).
When the players yell “Go!” the table is fair game! Put down any pairs of cards equaling $100. Then all players race to make or steal $100 pairs from other players.
The rush to rob makes counting money both exciting and…clumsy. Stumble over other players, steal back and forth with Thief Cards, and get into the spirit of clumsy thieves!
Adsumudi
Players: 1-6
Playing time: 15 minutes
Use those mental math skills to find Adsumudi’s answer! The game comes with 52 double-sided cards. Each card has five numbers and one target answer. Use the numbers in creative ways to find the solution.
Adsumudi is adaptable, allowing kids to use all math operations of varying difficulty. Let’s say your target answer is 30. The numbers you can use are 2, 10, 15, 20, and 60. Beginners might say 10+20=30. More advanced learners might opt for division, 60/2=30.
To make this game even more versatile, you can play it solo, collaboratively, or with a timer. The possibilities and the fun are endless with Adsumudi.
Zeus on the Loose
Players: 2–5
Playing time: 15 minutes
Zeus is on the loose! This powerful god is as fast as lightning. But with the right strategy and math, you can catch up to him.
Each round is a collaborative climb to the top of Mt. Olympus. Players take turns revealing one numbered card at a time. The deck builds, and the group must keep count as they go. You better brush up on those mental math and addition skills! When you reach 100 or above, the round ends.
Sneaky plays such as repeat numbers, special cards, or multiples of ten will capture the elusive Zeus. When a round ends, whoever holds the godly figure wins the round.
The small numbers, simple addition, and competitive edge keep it fun for kids. Yet, there’s enough strategy to engage adults as well.
Sumoku
Players: 1-8
Playing time: 15 minutes
If Scrabble and Sudoku had a baby, it would be Sumoku. Sumoku is a tile-placement game to practice addition and multiplication simultaneously.
The die has numbers 3, 4, and 5. Roll it to see which number is the target play. Let’s say it’s 3. Add as many tiles to the puzzle as you want, but the total must be a multiple of 3 (3, 6, 9, etc.). You could go for 1+5+3=9 or 2+2+3+5=12. But be careful not to use the same colored tile twice!
Sumoku can be played for speed or simply points. However, you play, get ready to have sum fun with Sumoku!
SMATH
Players: 2–4
Playing time: 20 minutes
Smash the competition in SMATH!
SMATH is the Scrabble of math. Make equations by placing tiles on a crossword-style board. Each tile is worth different points depending on difficulty. Challenge yourself with some division for that big score.
You can’t go wrong with a crossword classic. And now we’ve added math to the equation.
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best 3rd-grade math board games! These games are fun and educational, making for a great family game night. Have you tried any of the games on our list? Did we miss any of your mathy favorites? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think! We’d love to hear from you.
You may also enjoy:
- Best Math Board Games
- Best 1st Grade Math Board Games
- Best 2nd Grade Math Board Games
- Best Board Games for 9-Year-Olds
Cheryl is a teacher, writer, and board game fan. She likes incorporating games into all areas of her life, from classrooms and family nights to lively parties with friends. While she’s played too many to count, her favorites have always been classics like Codenames and chess.