13 Best Elementary Math Apps
Photo by zhenzhong liu on Unsplash
Many parents and teachers are utilizing teaching resources like educational apps to help students practice or reinforce what they’ve learned in school. With the shift to online platforms in 2020, students have become well versed in using technology for education.
Math is one of those subjects that often parents worry about. Some will seek out tutoring for intervention or remediation and others will seek out tutoring for acceleration. With the help of brilliant online educational programs, hiring a math tutor does not have to be your only solution. There are a plethora of educational math programs, developed by educators, to teach, support, and help sharpen math skills. The best part is that most of these programs are fun and engaging for kids!
Whether you’re looking for some extra math practice to support what’s being taught at school or to get ahead and learn new math skills, listed below are 13 of the best math apps for elementary students.
Splash Math
Splash Math is a game-based math app that helps students K-5 sharpen math skills at every level. With an adaptive learning path, Splash Math can be purchased by grade level or as a bundle. This fun and engaging app is a favorite among educators! that offers over 350 math skills with an adaptive learning path for each child.
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is a completely free app (no ads or subscription) that provides a fun educational program to kids 2-8 years old. Encompassing various school subjects, Khan Academy Kids focuses on teaching to the whole child. Parents can sign up for either an adaptive learning path that’s personalized to their child’s level or independently access the Khan Academy Kids Library of curated learning resources.
Sushi Monster
Sushi Monster is a game-based app, created by Scholastic, for ages 6 and up. Students must solve addition or multiplication math equations and level up by feeding sushi monsters. The game is a great way to practice math fact fluency, strategy and bolster one’s mental math.
Prodigy
This adaptive learning platform takes kids through an adventure quest through the Prodigy Math Game World. Students complete math problems and earn rewards within the game. Kids in grades 1st-8th will love this math game while parents can track their progress with monthly report cards.
IXL
From Pre-K through 12th grade, IXL provides personalized learning at every math level. This comprehensive learning resource has a real-time math diagnostic test and provides recommendations for more practice in areas that students struggle. There is a complete planning guide for parents to pick and choose math skills, levels, and topics.
Thinking Blocks - Math Playground
Thinking Blocks is a part of Math Playground, which provides videos, games, and math tools for grades K-6. You can download Thinking Blocks on your device and practice solving word problems, addition, subtraction, multiplication and ratios. Their website is also plentiful with additional teaching videos, games and puzzles.
Buzzmath
Recommended for ages 6-16, Buzzmath is a subscription based app that is aligned with your state math standards. With access to over 30,000 math questions, this app provides real-time feedback and gives students opportunities to learn from mistakes and retry until they understand how to correctly solve the math problems.
Space Pig Math
Space Pig Math is an action based math app that uses retro visuals and sound effects while teaching times tables up to 12x12. Designed by a dad and game industry veteran, this game rewards correct, consecutive and quick answers while students blast through space to save Space Pig’s friends.
Math Ninja
Great for ages 6-99, this IOS math app has students use math to defend a tree house from a hungry tomato and his robotic army. This is an action-packed game that has students strategizing, choosing their ninja weapons, while having fun to defeat Tomato-San from stealing their math treasure.
Math Board
This IOS app can be used for Kindergarten and up. Students can configure the app to best fit their math abilities and level. The app looks like a classroom chalkboard and allows space for students to work out their math problems on a scratchboard so that they are practicing the steps to problem solving and not just guessing answers. They integrate a teaching feature that also walks students through the steps to solve equations.
ABC Mouse
With more than 850 lessons across 10 levels, ABC Mouse is subscription-based app that teaches basic academic skills to Pre-K through 2nd grade. Older kids can check out Adventure Academy, which is created for ages 8-13. ABC Mouse has a step-by-step learning path that guides students to complete lessons and stay motivated by earning tickets and rewards.
DreamBox Learning
K-8th grade students learn independently with built-in help and real-time support tailored to their individual needs on this award-winning app. Aligned with school state standards, DreamBox provides parents insight on their child’s growth and proficiency levels. They have reported that “independent studies from Harvard and SRI found that kids who use DreamBox 60 minutes per week improved their math scores by 60%”.
Addition and Multiplication Number Bubbles
This math app is a simple math game modeled after popular (and addicting) bubble popping gaming apps. If you’re looking for a quick, on-the-go, math practice, Number Bubbles is the way to go. Only available on IOS devices, this math game looks similar to other popular bubble popping apps, but has kids solving addition or multiplication problems. This game is fun for kids who are competitive as there are timed modes where they race against a clock.
