Solving problems without pencil and paper or screens can be a revelation for children. We often forget what ‘hidden’ messages they are taking in, just through their daily experience at home and school.

This is an opportunity to remind them that we most often work with tools, but what is most important in learning is developing our heart and mind (and some would argue hands). This activity focuses on the mind.

Mental arithmetic can work at almost any age beyond age 4. You can even do early numeracy at 2 or 3. For example, counting with your child (you say “1”, they say “2”, you say “3”, etc.). Another game improves problem solving and estimation: “I am thinking of a number between 1 and 50” and as the child guesses you say “higher,” “lower,” or “that is my number!”

We are also big fans of competitive counting games - mostly variations on Nim. For example, counting to 10, with whoever says 10 as the winner, but each turn you can count either 1 or 2 numbers higher. As children get better they should be able to determine how to win the game every time (assuming the child gets to choose whether to go first or second).

These are just a few of an endless array of mental math ‘game’ possibilities - and they’re great for car rides!