Hopscotch calculator is a great way to practice addition and subtraction while having fun playing a classic game.
What you will need:
- A minimum of two players
- Sidewalk chalk
- Stones
- To begin find a sidewalk or a driveway that you’re allowed to draw on using sidewalk chalk.
Next, take your chalk and draw out a “calculator” or a grid (3×4) that contains the numbers 1 through 9 as well as symbols “+”, “-“, and “=”
Try not to draw your calculator too large so that all of the squares are accessible by hoping no matter what square you start on. Any example of what this may look like:
This is just one example of what your calculator might look like. You can always jumble up the numbers and the symbols to make the game more challenging.
Once your calculator is set up, the players can use a method of their choice for determining who goes first.
Step 1:
- Player one will gently toss a pebble into a numbered spot.
- Wherever the pebble lands, the player will hop to that spot.
- Example: Player one tosses the pebble and it lands on the “3” spot, they must now hop to that spot.
Step 2:
- After landing on their numbered spot, the player must then hop to the “=” spot.
- This is where the equating begins.
Step 3:
- The player must then use the numbers and symbols to finish the equation.
- For example, the player can hop on the following spots to practice addition: “2” “+” “1”
- Therefore, the equation created was: 3 = 2 + 1
In order to practice subtraction the player may choose to hop on the following spots: “5” “– ” “2”. Therefore, the equation created was 3 = 5 – 2. Player one will then collect their pebbles from the calculator and step aside. Player two can now take their turn, following the same instructions.
The first player to land their pebble on all numbers 1 through 9 and create correct equations for them wins! In order to make the game more challenging, try using double-digit numbers! Each player will toss two pebbles for Step 1 to start with a more challenging number.
Example: 25
The player can then hop to the following spots: “=” “2” “0” “+” “5”. Therefore, the equation created was 25 = 20 + 5
