A while ago a teacher friend told me she lets her students do KenKen in the classroom and spoke very highly of the program. I checked it out, and agree it is a very helpful math game for kids of any age, as long as they have learned single digit addition. It not only develops kids’ math skills, but also logic thinking and concentration stamina. It is available on their website or via the free app.
What is KenKen? It is a math game invented by a Japanese math teacher. It is similar to Sudoku, with more twists. In Sudoku you fill in numbers to make sure the sum of all the rows, columns, and a square are the same, and no repeat numbers in the same row, column, or the square area. In KenKen, you still need put in all different numbers in each row, column. However, the game defines areas, and gives you the operation you have to use and the final number of the operation result, for that area. For example, it can highlight 3 boxes, and tells you 6+, then you need fill in the 3 boxes with numbers 1, 2, and 3 to make the sum being 6.
There are many different levels. The easiest starts with 3×3, with only simple additions for 2 boxes. It then goes up with difficulties, with more operations, more areas defined with operation and expected results. The biggest size is 9×9, and it can have all 4 math operations, with more defined results for certain areas. No matter what is your math level, there are some games that you can do.
Kids can select difficulty levels and play games for free on KenKen website, or using the free apps. There are apps for both Apple devices and Android devices. The apps are free, with 31 games. If you want more games, you can buy more packages via In App Purchase.
As a teacher or parent, you can sign up the free KenKen Classroom Program. Once you sign up, you will receive weekly emails with free KenKen challenges that is at your child’s grade level. Highly recommend.
If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.
For more math games, please visit 45 math games grouped by kids age and learning objectives.
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