Without school routines, kids can experience a “summer slide” where they forget some of what they’ve learned — especially in math. The good news? Math learning during summer doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork.
These travel-friendly brain games are fun, compact and packed with plenty of critical thinking and math practice. Whether you’re road-tripping, waiting for a flight or enjoying a lazy afternoon, these games will keep kids engaged and learning.
5 Brain-Boosting Games to Keep Kids Sharp During Summer
If you’re looking for easy ways to incorporate some math practice this summer, these five brain-boosting games are just the thing.
They’re screen-free, fun and designed to help kids build problem-solving, strategy, logic and number sense skills — all while keeping those summer smiles going strong.
Möbi
Recommended Age: 8+
Skills: Mental math, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
Möbi is a fast-paced, tile-based math game that’s a bit like Scrabble — but with numbers! Kids race to create math equations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It’s great for building number sense and quick-thinking skills.
Bonus: It comes in a cute whale-shaped pouch — perfect for tossing into a beach bag or backpack.
Kanoodle
Recommended Age: 7+
Skills: Spatial reasoning, logic, problem-solving
Got a puzzle lover in the house? Kanoodle is their perfect match. With over 200 brain-bending challenges, kids use colorful pieces to build everything from flat designs to 3D pyramids. It’s pocket-sized, portable, and guaranteed to keep little minds engaged anywhere — from car rides to quiet time under a shady tree.
Bonus: There are several versions to keep it fresh, including Kanoodle Genius and Kanoodle Extreme.
Stellö
Recommended Age: 5+
Skills: Pattern recognition, strategic thinking
Stellö — a colorful pattern-building game that sharpens logic and spatial reasoning. Players match tiles based on shapes and colors, kind of like dominoes with a creative twist. It’s perfect for developing critical thinking — and it’s just as fun for grown-ups, too!
Bonus: Stellö can be played anywhere as it comes with a bag for easy travel.
Guarantee!
Recommended Age: 9+
Skills: Mental math, operations, speed
Ready, set, solve! Proof! is a lightning-fast card game where players race to solve math equations using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square roots. It’s like a math scavenger hunt that builds mental math fluency — perfect for competitive kids who love a challenge.
Math Dice
Recommended Age: 6+
Skills: Mental math, operations, flexible thinking
Roll the dice and let the brain games begin! In Math Dice, players roll a pair of target dice, then combine the results of three scoring dice using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and powers to hit the target number before the other players. It’s part math, part strategy, and 100% engaging.
Bonus: It packs up small for on-the-go learning — perfect for a road trip or a day at the pool. Math Dice Jr. is also available for younger learners using only addition and subtraction.
Preventing the Summer Slide
Research shows that consistent mental stimulation over the summer helps prevent the “summer slide,” especially in math. These games don’t just reinforce school skills — they encourage kids to problem-solve, reason logically, and think creatively. Even 10 – 15 minutes a day can make a big difference.
On-the-Go Learning Tip: Pack a small “brain games” bag for the car or your summer travels, including dry-erase markers, dice, a mini notebook, and one or two of these games. Your kids might even start choosing math over screens — voluntarily!
And for even more enrichment, consider adding a structured learning program to the mix. Mathnasium Niceville’s Summer Program offers engaging, flexible and distraction-free learning to help students get ahead for the upcoming school year.
Come see us at Mathnasium Niceville or visit https://www.mathnasium.com/math-centers/niceville to see how we can help your child succeed. To schedule a free assessment, call (850) 987-6284 or email niceville@mathnasium.com.
Disclaimer: Mathnasium does not endorse or sponsor any products or retailers listed in this summer math games guide.
