Fun and Effective Ways to Review Math with Your Child

When Math Feels Like a Chore—for Both of You

It's 6:30 p.m. Dinner is still on the stove, and your child is already melting down over a math worksheet. You’re not a math teacher, and you didn’t think you'd need to become one. But here you are, trying to remember long division while also figuring out how to stay calm through it all.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many parents of children aged 6 to 12 find themselves caught between wanting to help and not knowing how. The good news? Helping your child review math doesn't have to feel like a battlefield. It can even—dare we say it—be fun.

The Secret: Make Math Feel Like Play

Children are naturally curious. The challenge lies in keeping learning playful, even when dealing with something as structured as math. That doesn’t mean turning everything into a game, but it does mean approaching review time with creativity, warmth, and a sense of lightness.

When math becomes something your child can safely explore—without fear of being wrong—they're more likely to stay focused, ask questions, and persist. This shift can make a huge difference, especially if your child tends to avoid homework altogether. (Need help with that? You might want to read What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Do Their Homework.)

Build Math into Your Everyday Moments

Playful review doesn’t have to mean pulling out flashcards or investing in expensive apps. Often, the magic happens during moments you already share with your child:

• Cooking and Baking: Ask your child to help measure ingredients, double a recipe, or calculate cooking times. Suddenly, fractions and division are a part of making cookies.
• Shopping Together: Get them to estimate totals, count change, or compare unit prices. These tasks sharpen both mental math and practical thinking.
• Car Rides: Play "Math Detective"—you give a number, and your child thinks of two operations to get that number. For example: “I’m thinking of the number 8.” Your child responds, “4 + 4!” or “16 ÷ 2!” They get points for creativity.

These small interactions can reinforce math skills without any pressure, and they show that math is all around us—not just in textbooks.

Let Them Lead the Learning (With a Little Help)

Kids often resist review when they feel like math is being “done to them.” Instead, invite them to be the main character in their own learning story. Let’s say your child struggles with multiplication tables. Instead of another drill sheet, imagine what would happen if they became a character on a treasure hunt, solving number riddles to find the lost gold—or if they listened to an audio story where they were the hero with math powers that unlock secret doors.

This is where simple, creative tools can help. For example, with just a photo of a homework lesson, the Skuli App can instantly turn it into a personalized story-based audio adventure—using your child’s first name and voice narration. Even reluctant learners are drawn into the mystery, solving math problems to help their character move forward. It's one small way to shift the tone from "you have to learn this" to "you get to play a role in your own learning."

Mix Learning Mediums for Better Retention

Some kids grasp math concepts quickly when they hear them. Others need to see them or apply them with their hands. Understanding your child’s learning style is key. (If you’re not sure how your child learns best, this guide might help: How to Know If Your Child Is Really Understanding Their Lessons in Class.)

You can support them by offering different ways to revisit the same concept:

• A written problem from class can become a drawing activity where your child illustrates what’s happening.
• A list of definitions can become an audio recording they listen to before bed or on the way to school.
• Key steps in a new method can be turned into a colorful study sheet you build together. (Learn how to create one here: How to Create an Effective Study Sheet with Your Child.)

Using a variety of formats honors your child’s strengths and keeps the material fresh.

Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection

Math anxiety is real—not just for kids but for parents, too. If your child gets stuck in a fear loop (“I’m bad at math, so I’ll fail, so I won’t try”), they need more than explanations. They need encouragement.

Try to shift the focus from "getting the right answer" to "making progress." Celebrate when your child tries a new method, corrects a mistake, or sticks with a hard problem. These are the real victories, and when they're noticed, kids are more likely to keep going.

This kind of positive reinforcement matters far more than we often realize. It’s one of the best ways to help your child fall in love with learning again, especially in subjects that have become sources of stress.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Compassionate

You don't need to overhaul your evening routine or become a math expert to support your child's learning. With a few playful tweaks, a little curiosity, and some empathy, you can help math feel less like a school requirement and more like a rich part of everyday life.

And remember—your presence matters more than perfect teaching. If all you can give tonight is ten minutes of joyful problem-solving alongside a bowl of popcorn, you’re already making a difference.