Come Together Kids: Beanbag Toss for Math Practice

November 10, 2011

Beanbag Toss for Math Practice

This is a post that I originally shared at Sun Scholars this summer. Now that the school year is well underway and homework time may have lost some of its appeal, I thought I'd share this fun way for kids to practice math facts while they're up and moving around.

The "Equipment"

The game pieces are simple ~ 5 numbered mats and 5 numbered bean bags

How to Play:

( We came up with three versions so far, but there are tons of variations you can play!)

Version One: Match Up (great number recognition for younger kids)

Spread out your numbered circle mats. Try to toss each of your numbered beanbags onto the mat with the same number.

Version Two (two or more players): Add it Up ( fun addition practice)

Players take turns tossing their five beanbags onto the mats, adding up their score as they go. If the beanbags misses the target, no points. If the beanbag lands pattern side up, you get the number of points on that mat. If the beanbag lands number side up, you get the points on the mat PLUS the points on the beanbag! Player with the highest total sum at the end of the round, wins.

Version Three ( one player ): Race to 50 (awesome mental math practice)

Play with the same point system as Add It Up, but keep playing until you get to 50 ( or 100, 200, or more!)

Version Four + : Do similar games with subtraction, multiplication, sequencing, etc.


Trying to hit the target for the most points!

Make Your Own!
(It's really quite easy!)

1. Cut 10 circles out of felt. I traced a 9" plate for my circles.


It looks like only 5, but I cut two at a time so there are 10.

2. Cut 10 five inch squares for your beanbags. I used felt for one side and a fun fabric on the other.


Oops, the other 4 didn't make it in the picture. (See, I'm testing your Math already!)

3. On your computer, find some numbers in a style you like, increase the font to enlarge them, and print them out.

4. Trace the numbers backwards onto the paper side of some iron-on adhesive (I like using Heat n Bond Ultra hold for things I'm not going to sew). Iron it on the wrong side of the fabric you'll use for your numbers.

You'll want to trace the numbers backwards so they're right side up when you cut them out.

5. Cut out your numbers and peel off the paper backing. Iron the smaller numbers onto the bean bag pieces and the larger numbers onto five of the felt circles.

6. To make the beanbags, put the wrong sides together and sew two seams next to each other around the edges, leaving an opening to fill the bags.

7. Fill your bean bag with rice. I found a small paper dixie cup worked even better than a funnel ( Plus my kids took my funnel to play with and never returned it to the drawer!). You'll want the bean bag full enough to weigh down your bag, but not so full that you can't stitch up the opening.


Filling was much easier with an assistant's help!

8. Stitch your opening closed, again using two rows of stitches.


See my old sewing machine? It's as old as I am!

9. Next, take each pair of felt circles ( one with the number and one plain). With wrong sides together, simple sew around the outer edge. ( I suppose you could just use a single layer of felt for your circles if you'll be playing inside, but I found for outdoor use, two layers gives it slightly more weight so it doesn't blow around.)

10. I decided to make a little storage bag for our game using one of the free little tote bags my husband picks up at conferences and seminars.

11. Using the iron-on adhesive again, I simply cut a large square of fabric to cover the writing and then made my son's initial since this set is for him ( my girls tend to get all the fun craft projects and my little guy gets left out)

That's it, you're all set! You have a fun set of beanbags, target mats and a storage bag. Play a few rounds every once and awhile and you'll be amazed at how quickly those Math facts become automatic.