Numbers and place value games

Explore place value across grades. Choose by skill and readiness; the grades are a starting point, and this collection does not cover a whole curriculum.

Each game explains the Common Core connection it supports, or identifies itself as supplemental practice. Schools may teach topics in a different sequence. Read how we choose games.

Grade 1: 1 more and 1 less

Finding 1 more or 1 less than a number is one of the first things children learn about how numbers are ordered. 1 more than 6 is 7, the next number when counting forwards. 1 less than 6 is 5, the number before it.

Practice counting forward and backward by one. This is supporting number-sense practice, rather than the full reading and writing task in 1.NBT.A.1.

Play 1 more and 1 less · Free printable

Grade 1: Tens and ones

In the game, children balance the scales by partitioning, such as 47 = 40 + ?. The Quick quiz asks two kinds of question: 'What is the value of the 4 in 47?' and '47 = ? tens and 7 ones'. Both check that children see a two-digit number as tens and ones, not just two digits side by side. Solid place value is what makes adding, subtracting and comparing bigger numbers possible.

Supports part of Common Core 1.NBT.B.2. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 1.NBT.B.2. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Tens and ones · Free printable

Grade 1: Ordering numbers to 100

In this game children put five numbers in order, sometimes smallest first and sometimes largest first. Many rounds include a pair with the same digits swapped, such as 34 and 43, because that is exactly where place value understanding shows. You can move the cards with the arrow buttons or by tapping one card and then another to swap them.

Supports part of Common Core 1.NBT.B.3. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 1.NBT.B.3. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Ordering numbers to 100 · Free printable

Grade 2: Numbers on a number line to 20

In this game the line runs from 0 to 20 with every number marked by a tick, but only 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 are labeled. Children have to work out where a number such as 13 goes by counting on from a labeled point. This builds a feel for the size of numbers, which is the foundation for estimating, rounding and mental calculation later on.

Supports part of Common Core 2.MD.B.6. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 2.MD.B.6. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Numbers on a number line to 20 · Free printable

Grade 2: Hundreds, tens and ones

In the game, children balance the scales by partitioning, such as 345 = 300 + ? + 5. The Quick quiz asks 'What is the value of the digit in this number?' with four choices. The wrong answers include the digit itself and the digit in the wrong place, which are the most common mistakes. All numbers use three different digits so each question has only one correct answer.

Supports part of Common Core 2.NBT.A.1. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 2.NBT.A.1. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Hundreds, tens and ones · Free printable

Grade 2: 10 or 100 more or less

In the game, children balance the scales, such as 456 + 100 = ? or 456 + ? = 556. In the Quick quiz most questions are straightforward, such as 100 more than 456 = 556. The interesting ones cross a boundary: 10 more than 395 is 405, because the tens digit goes from 9 to 0 and the hundreds go up by one. The game deliberately includes many of these, and the wrong answers include the most common slips, such as changing the wrong digit.

Supports part of Common Core 2.NBT.B.8. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 2.NBT.B.8. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play 10 or 100 more or less · Free printable

Grade 3: Roman numerals to 100

In this matching game, children pair Roman numerals with the numbers they represent. Many rounds include subtractive numerals such as IV, IX, XL and XC, which are the ones children find hardest.

Number-system enrichment, not a Common Core requirement. Explore Roman numerals through 100 alongside world history.

Play Roman numerals to 100 · Free printable

Grade 4: Rounding to 10, 100 and 1,000

Rounding is used for estimating and checking answers, and for describing numbers in everyday life ('about 300 people'). In this quiz race, numbers go up to 9,999. The wrong answers include rounding in the wrong direction and rounding to the wrong place, the two most common slips.

Supports part of Common Core 4.NBT.A.3. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 4.NBT.A.3. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Rounding to 10, 100 and 1,000 · Free printable

Grade 4: Rounding numbers to 1,000,000

Rounding big numbers is useful for estimating, checking calculations and describing large amounts, such as populations or distances. In this quiz the numbers go up to 999,999, and the wrong choices include rounding the wrong way and rounding to the wrong place.

Supports part of Common Core 4.NBT.A.3. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 4.NBT.A.3. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Rounding numbers to 1,000,000 · Free printable

Grade 4: Roman numerals to 1,000

In this matching game, around two in five cards are years between 1066 and 2030, such as MCMXCIX (1999) or MMXXVI (2026). The rest are numbers from 1 to 1,000. Years are a good real-life test because they appear on buildings, foundation stones and at the end of film and TV credits.

Number-system enrichment, not a Common Core requirement. Extend Roman-numeral reading through 1,000.

Play Roman numerals to 1,000 · Free printable

Grade 6: Negative numbers

In this game the number line runs from −10 to 10, with −10, −5, 0, 5 and 10 labeled. Some questions simply ask children to place a number; others give a temperature to mark. Placing negative numbers shows clearly that −7 is further left, and so smaller, than −2.

Supports part of Common Core 6.NS.C.6.c. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: 6.NS.C.6.c. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Negative numbers · Free printable