Reading isn’t the only thing that needs to be kept up through the summer, although you might think it is by the posts I make about it. But math skills need to be kept sharp as well. This does not need to be a drudgery. Not at all. It can be quite fun and help encourage family togetherness, if you choose to do this together.

A simple deck of cards is all you need to have to work on those math skills. You could probably even use Uno cards. Cards can be purchased, sometimes, two decks for $1 at Dollar Tree and generally a dollar a deck there otherwise. Generally, you can get a deck or two for under $5.

For the youngest set, they can merely sort the standard deck either into colors or shapes or numbers and letters. Slightly older children can add sequencing to their activities with the cards.

Those that can add, there are a lot of options. Many of those options can be adjusted for those that can multiply.

Here are some links with some wonderful ideas to keep math skills sharp throughout the summer without having to resort to worksheets.

• The Game That’s Worth 1000 Worksheets
• The 20+ Best Math Card Games
• Math Games with a Deck of Cards (6 page pdf)
• Acing Math (One Deck at a Time)
• 8 pages of ideas for cards and 2 pages of ideas using dice (dice can be purchased inexpensively at Dollar Tree, at least 5 dice for a dollar but sometimes more, if I remember correctly)

I encourage you to work on those math skills this summer, the fun way.

Michele ºÜº