Swat math games are a fun and simple way to practice math skills. It’s amazing how giving a student a fly swatter can make them so much more interested in math and reading.
One of the great things about Swat math games is that they are versatile. You can print the sets of cards and play multiple different games using the same cards.
Tips for the Swat Games
- Laminate the cards from the beginning so that they can be played over and over again.
- Make multiple copies of each game so you can divide the class into smaller groups to play.
- Ziploc bags are great for storing the flies.
- Purchase multiple fly swatters so that you can have multiple groups playing at the same time.
- Print only the numbers or coins/bills you need! If you are working on numbers 1-20, do not print the entire file. Print only the pages you need to save on ink/paper.
- Depending on your group sizes, you may find you require additional flies to play the games. The amount I gave is just a suggestion. If the games are too short, add more flies. If the games are lasting too long, remove some flies from the game.
- I have included a free blank flies file so that you can create your own Swat games as well!
Swat Math Games
Identifying the Number – Game 1
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 2 Printed copies of number flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Students take turns swatting a fly. Flip the fly over and read the number aloud.
- If they can identify the number, they get to keep it. If the student cannot identify the number they return the fly upside down to the pile.
- The next child takes their turn and repeats the same steps.
- Students play until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Identifying the Number – Game 2
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 2 Printed copies of number flies per group of students
- 3 or more players (having an adult ref is suggested)
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies up so that you see the fly/number.
- There should be 2 or more swatters and 1 number caller.
- The number caller shouts out a number.
- The 2 or more swatters race to swat the number first.
- The first person to swat the word gets to keep the number.
- The number caller keeps shouting out numbers until they have all be swatted.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Number “Top It” (which value is higher) – Game 3
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 2 Printed copies of number flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Each student swats one fly.
- The student with the highest number gets to keep the flies from that round.
- If students tie, they each swat another fly to determine who gets to keep the flies from that round.
- Students repeat until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Addition “Top It” (which value is higher) – Game 4
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 5 Printed copies of number flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Each student swats two or more flies (you decide based on the skill level of the students).
- Students add their own flies to determine their total.
- The student with the highest total gets to keep the flies from that round.
- If students tie, they each swat another fly to determine who gets to keep the flies from that round.
- Students repeat until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Identifying the Coin & Bill Name – Game 5
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 5-8 Printed copies of money flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face the flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Students take turns swatting a fly.
- If they can identify the name of the coin or bill correctly, they get to keep the fly.
- If the student cannot identify the name of the coin or bill correctly, they return the fly upside down to the pile.
- Students repeat until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Identifying the Value of the Coin & Bill – Game 6
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 5-8 Printed copies of money flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Students take turns swatting a fly.
- If they can identify the value of the coin or bill correctly, they get to keep the fly.
- If the student cannot identify the value of the coin or bill correctly, they return the fly upside down to the pile.
- Students repeat until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Money “Top It” (which value is higher) – Game 7
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 5-8 Printed copies of money flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Each student swats one fly.
- The student with the highest valued coin or dollar gets to keep the flies from that round.
- If students tie, they each swat another fly to determine who gets to keep the flies from that round.
- Students repeat until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.
Money Total “Top It” (which value is higher) – Game 8
Materials Required:
- Fly swatters (1 per group, the dollar store is great for these!)
- 10 Printed copies of money flies per group of students
Directions:
- Have students find an area in the room where they can spread out on the floor.
- Face flies upside down on the floor (you shouldn’t see the flies).
- Each student swats two or more flies (you decide based on the skill level of the students).
- Each student determines the total value of their flies.
- The student with the highest total gets to keep the flies from that round.
- If students tie, they each swat another fly to determine who gets to keep the flies from that round.
- Students repeat until there are no flies left.
- The student with the most flies at the end of the game wins.