Teacher Asha from Tanzania uses this game to help her class learn maths by having fun. Now she's playing this game at home with her children. Share it with your children to make maths memorable.

• Ages: 7+
• Number of players: Two or more, if in pairs, plus one adult
• Goal of the game: Keep your mind alert and develop your mental maths skills
• What you need: Nothing

How to Play

1. Divide into pairs and kneel facing each other.
2. Each player puts one hand behind their back and puts the other as a fist in front of them.
3. Shake fists three times singing "I like maths." On the third shake, when the leader says "maths," each player extends between 0 - 5 fingers.
4. Players add the number of fingers and shout their answer.
5. Whoever adds the numbers correctly first gets to stand up. The other play remains kneeling.
6. If just two players, go again. If more than two, those kneeling take turns playing against each other until one player is standing.
7. Challenge players by getting them to put both hands into play, or multiplying numbers instead of adding, and so on.
   

Talk

• Were some numbers easier/more difficult to add together?
• What did you do to add the numbers together in your mind?
• How can mental maths help you in your everyday life?