Nerf Gun Math

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A flash of blue and orange flew across the room, followed by half a dozen more and a bunch of giggles.  Sounds like your typical Nerf gun battle, only in our house those flying Nerf darts mean learning is going on.  

This Nerf Gun Math Game is perfect for working on math facts at home. 

It’s one of our favorite Nerf gun games.  

how to use Nerf guns to work on math facts

 

We had so much fun with our Nerf Gun Sight Word Shoot that we couldn’t wait to pull out the foam darts and try another learning game with Nerf guns.  

This time we used them to work on math facts. 

This activity isn’t just for boys.  In fact, this is one of my daughter’s favorite kinesthetic math activities.  She loves getting to move while learning.  

Nerf Gun Math Game

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Materials Needed:

This activity can be done with whatever math facts your child is working on at the time.  We used flash cards with addition facts, but you could also use subtraction, multiplication, or division facts.  

To set up your “math range,” roll a small piece of painter’s tape and stick it on the back of each flashcard.  Then use the tape to secure the flashcards to your blocks.  (Tip:  If you don’t have cardboard blocks, check your recycling for cardboard boxes and soda pop cans.)

I suggest starting with 8-10 flashcards.   This will keep your child from feeling too overwhelmed.  You can always add more and make a larger set up as they begin to feel more confident.  

Nerf math activity

To keep your darts from flying everywhere, and make clean up faster, you can  use a large piece of cardboard or a sheet as a back drop.

Once your range is set up, have your child find their favorite foam dart gun and plenty of darts.

Have them read the math fact and answer it before shooting the flashcard.  If they answer correctly, they get to shoot the card.

math activity with Nerf guns

Reading the flashcard out loud adds an auditory component to the visual and kinesthetic parts of this activity.  That means your child is using at least 3 different learning styles, helping them learn those facts even faster.   

Once the Nerf darts start flying, your child will be having so much fun they won’t even know they’re learning.

You may also enjoy these fun ways to practice math facts at home.

kids math games with shooting

Math Shooting Games

Looking for more math games with shooting?  Check out these ideas!

  • Shoot & Add — Use plastic cup targets and foam dart guns to work on adding skills
  • Water Gun Subtraction — Kids will have fun shooting at the sidewalk chalk targets and learning to subtract.  
  • Water Squirter Math —  Answer the problem right and knock down the targets with water squirters.  
  • Stand Off Water Math Game — This one is so much fun on a hot day!  Answer correctly and shoot the person across from you.  Answer incorrectly and be squirted.  
  • Times Table Shooting — This is a free online game.  You can even decide which math facts your child needs to practice.
  • Zombie Math — In this free online game you are fighting zombies.  The zombies disappear if you answer the problems correctly.  

Nerf gun math facts shooting game

 

For more fun hands-on math activities check out these fun posts:

Nerf Gun Accessories We Love


Originally published Jan.14, 2016.

Comments

  1. What a fantastic idea! I could use this for practicing SOOOOOO many things with my kids. I am definitely pinning this for later. I’m so glad I found it at the SHINE blog hop. My kids are going to think I’m the coolest mom ever!

  2. What a perfect activity to the usual flashcard method! This would be perfect for defining words as well–word on one side, say the definition, then shoot (or vice versa)! Thanks for sharing on #SHINEbloghop this week! Always lovely to see you join us.

    • There are so many ways you can use those Nerf guns to learn! 🙂 We used them earlier to read sight words. Definitions would be perfect for older kids, or even foreign language words!

  3. Love this idea! We also play a Nerf Sight Words game:) We have those blocks too-can’t wait to try it out. Thanks so much for sharing-so happy to have found you through The Shine Blog Hop.

  4. What a fun idea! There’s many things I don’t like about guns but who can say no to a creative way to work on math skills?! My daughter would love this one! Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot!

    • The thing I like about our Nerf guns is that they do not look like a real gun, but I understand parents who aren’t fond of toy guns. This activity also works well with suction cup bow and arrows. And it is a super fun way for kids to work on math facts. 🙂

  5. Isn’t learning fun when you incorporate what they love? We use our Nerf guns a lot for learning and have even used light sabers, Indiana Jones’ whip, and balls too.

    • Balls are always fun, too. 🙂 Mine haven’t gotten into Star Wars yet, but I bet they’d like to swing a few light sabers in the name of learning.

    • Bows and arrows are so much fun! Mine got suction cup ones last year and love shooting them at pop cans. Just pop the flash cards on and you’re set! 🙂

  8. What a neat idea!! We don’t have a nerf gun but a rubber band gun, should work the same right? 🙂

  10. This looks like so much fun! I am getting ready for multiplication facts with #5 and this may make it more fun for him! Thanks for sharing!

  12. This looks like so much fun! My daughter LOVES nerf guns all too much. This would be a great way to add in some learning to her fun! I must try this soon!!

    Thank you for sharing with Made For Kids. We have made a few exciting changes that we would love for you to check out. We will be live Sundays @10pm est. Hope to see you there!

  13. I love activities that are fun and educational as well. I know I would have loved this as a kid, this is a definite must try. Thanks for sharing!

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