Let's Play Mathematically! The Teacher's Guide

Pre-publication discount now available! Book publishing late 2026.

Playing games can unlock knowledge. Even more importantly, games can unlock a deep love of a subject. Teachers know this, but resources to bring games into the classroom in a crowded curriculum are hard to find.

This important book in the Aiming High series does just that. It sits alongside the Family Games book Tarquin has also published: one for school, one for home.

Mathematics games built for real lessons

• It provides many games to help develop that love for mathematics. Each engaging game is simple to use, easy and enjoyable to play.
• Crucially, each comes with reflective questions and materials designed to bring out mathematical thinking. They provide a deeper understanding of the topic that underlies the game. Even for the youngest players, this can be transformational.
• Play the games with the book and equipment you have to hand: no special kit to order before the first lesson.

In practice, the questions turn a round of play into a discussion. Pupils move from winning a game to reasoning about why it works.

Why mathematics games earn their place in teaching

Maths games offer repeated, low-stakes practice: every round is another chance to recall a fact or test an idea. This is how pupils develop fluency with number without a stack of worksheets.

A good game also rewards strategy. Pupils spot patterns, make an estimation before each move and explain their choice, so number sense and problem-solving skills grow together.

In the classroom, this works well when a quick counting game or card game opens the lesson as a whole-class warm-up. Simple maths, such as addition, subtraction and multiplication facts, becomes something children want to rehearse.

Guidance for teaching each age group

The book provides guidance on teaching each game to different age groups. One game can therefore serve younger and older classes, with the questions pitched to each. This is useful in primary school, where confidence can vary widely within a single class.

Classroom resources with a purpose

The Aiming High series of books and resources has been developed by Toni Beardon. She is the founder of the NRICH Mathematics Project and AIMSSEC.

AIMSSEC is a not-for-profit organisation that provides training and resources for teaching. It aims to empower teachers from disadvantaged rural and township communities in South Africa and other parts of Africa. Royalties from sales of this publication will be used to develop this work further.

Picture your next lesson: a game on the desk, a reflective question on the board, and a class thinking aloud through games and activities.