Math Blackjack
The setup
Traditionally, the target number is 21, but for a young child use a smaller number such as 12. Adjust the contents of the playing cards for your child. For example, for a very young child this might be the cards 1 to 4 in the four suits.
How to play
Two cards are dealt to each player – one is face up and one is face down (the receiving player is the only one to look at the face down card). During a turn, the player has the option of asking for one more card until the player decides to stop. After every player has had a turn, the players compare the sum of their cards.
How to win
The player with the sum closest to the target without going over wins.
Helping your child
First and foremost, playing math games should be fun, like any other game your family plays together!
Please let your child make poor plays (mistakes) without correction, and resist the urge to tell them the best ways to play. Bit by bit, your child will get better at the game, and they will learn so much more if you let them figure things out. There is no hurry.
If you see your child make a mistake, ask them to describe why they decided to do what they did. If your child is stuck and doesn’t know which play to make, ask them to describe the pros and cons of their choices, or ask them about how they solved a similar situation in the past. If your child doesn’t remember how to do a calculation, discuss with them the methods they know for figuring it out. These conversations are important for helping your child to develop mathematically.
Through math game play and math conversations, you are helping your child learn to enjoy math and develop important problem solving skills!