Math Games & Activities from Around the World

Discover seventy engaging multicultural math games, puzzles, and hands-on projects from civilizations across the globe.

Math Games & Activities from Around the World invites young learners to explore how different cultures use numbers, patterns, and geometric shapes. Children build their own boards and pieces for ancient three-in-a-row games like Kenyan Shisima and English Nine Men's Morris, master Mancala variations like Ghanaian Oware, and investigate the math behind Islamic tessellations, Native American beadwork, and Egyptian pyramids.

This interactive activity collection helps children connect history, art, and mathematical reasoning while developing practical skills:
Build logical thinking through strategic board games and river-crossing puzzlesMaster geometry concepts by drawing regular polygons, symmetry patterns, and Islamic star tessellationsExplore probability and number patterns with ancient magic squares, games of chance, and exponential rice-doubling riddlesCreate authentic game boards and crafts using everyday household materials like cardboard, egg cartons, and buttons
Whether used for homeschool enrichment, classroom math centers, or independent play, this activity book shows that math is a living, global human adventure.