Just ten minutes of play on a simple number board game can give kids a bigger boost in math than hours of memorizing drills. In these games, children move pieces along a straight, numbered path, like a mini race track for numbers.
Researchers say this playful activity isn’t just entertaining; it helps kids build lasting skills in counting, recognizing numbers, and understanding how quantities work.
A meta-analysis led by the HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice at the University of Oregon examined 18 studies spanning preschool to second grade. The verdict: just 10 minutes of play can leave measurable improvements in counting, number recognition, and understanding quantity.
“We selected this topic because early math skills are a powerful predictor of children’s later success in school, and number board games are easy to use and affordable,” explained Gena Nelson, associate research professor at UO’s College of Education.
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Her team found a 76 percent chance that children playing these games will improve their numeracy skills, defined as the ability to understand and use numbers, from counting to grasping that the last number counted represents the total in a set.
The findings echo broader evidence from educational research: early math skills are among the strongest predictors of later academic achievement. Children who master counting and number sense early are more likely to succeed in arithmetic fluency, problem-solving, and even reading comprehension later in school.
The researchers also discovered that how the games are designed matters just as much as whether kids are playing them. Games that can bend to a child’s needs work best. If a child is just starting out, the game can keep things easy. If they’re ready for more, it can add tougher challenges. This flexible approach helps kids learn far better than games that treat every child the same.
The report points parents and educators to downloadable, classroom-tested games. Examples include The Great Race from the University of Maryland’s Early Childhood Interaction Lab and resources from DREME Family Math and the Center for Family Math.
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Nelson and colleague Marah Sutherland are already applying these insights to their own projects. “We are testing a set of original number games, storybooks with math themes, and math conversational prompts to be used in the home with parents who have a 3- to 5-year-old child with a disability,” Sutherland said.
She emphasized adaptability: “Something that we learned from our meta-analysis was the need for early math activities to be highly adaptable based on children’s readiness for learning about different numbers.” Parents, she added, have responded “overwhelmingly positive” to these flexible designs.
Forget expensive apps or flashcards. A simple board game with numbered squares can really help kids improve their math skills. A few quick play sessions can help kids develop lasting abilities. This makes math feel less frightening and a lot more enjoyable for families, teachers, and kids.
Journal Reference:
Gena Nelson, Peter Boedeker et al. Investigating Main Effects and Moderators of Linear Number Board Games: A Meta-Analytic Review. Review of Educational Research. DOI: 10.3102/00346543251383552