Math with LEGOs

Did you know those colorful interlocking bricks your children love so much are more than just a construction toy? While the sight of LEGOs scattered about or the piercing pain from stepping on them is familiar to most parents, the fact that LEGOs are a useful and versatile math resource may not be. If you are looking for a way to teach your child a math concept in an engaging way, start with LEGOs! We’ve put together a list of a few of our favorite LEGO math ideas.

Place Value
This hands-on approach only requires a few blocks and a dry-erase marker. Each block represents a place: ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands. The single block represents the tens place and the 4 block represents thousands. Use the blocks to explain how the biggest number must be at the bottom of the stack, building up to the smallest unit. Using the blocks helps your student visually see and experience place value.

Fractions
Understanding how all the parts of a fraction fit together to make it a whole is an important math skill. This method helps students see clearly what the parts of the fraction mean and how numerators are added.

Basic Story Problems
Use LEGO math for hands-on story problem practice with math challenge cards.

Addition
Help your student explore addition and subtraction with a fun game. Have your student roll the dice, announce the sum, and add the appropriate bricks to the baseplate to match that number.

Area & Perimeter
The studs on LEGOs make it simple to find the perimeter and area. Start with individual bricks and challenge your student by throwing more bricks into the mix.