10 Creative Math Activities for Inclement Weather Days (K - Alg 1)

Looking for creative ideas for virtual math lessons for those inclement weather days?  Look no further!

I’ve come up with 10 fun activities for each grade level (K- Algebra 1) that are aligned with Common Core standards. These activities are designed to be engaging and easily adapted for virtual learning environments, whether students are your captive audience online or you're cozy with your feet up sipping on soul satisfying tea. Each one incorporates practical math concepts in an interactive and creative way.  

They can be done with minimal supplies. Here are the ideas:

Kindergarten

1. Counting with Household Items: Have students gather a set of objects from home (like spoons, buttons, etc.) and count them. Focus on numbers up to 20, helping them practice 1-to-1 correspondence.
2. Shape Scavenger Hunt: Ask students to find and name shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) in their home. They can draw the shapes they find or take photos and share them.
3. Number Line Jumping: Create a number line on paper or virtually (0-10 or 0-20) and have the students "jump" to a number that you call out. You can also practice counting by 2s or 5s.
4. Pattern Hunt: Have students look for patterns around their house (e.g., stripes on clothes, pattern in tiles, etc.) and describe them using colors or shapes (AB, ABC).
5. Fill the Ten Frame: Use a virtual whiteboard or paper to draw a ten-frame and give students a number. They will need to fill in the ten-frame with the correct number of dots or objects.
6. Counting and Writing Numbers: Ask students to practice counting by writing numbers from 1-20 or beyond. You can also have them match written numbers to objects.
7. Making Ten with Snacks: Using snack items like crackers or cereal, have students make groups of 10 and then count how many groups they can create. This helps with understanding number combinations that make 10.
8. Circle the Numbers: On a printed sheet, have students circle numbers that are odd or even. Discuss how numbers can be grouped.
9. Interactive Virtual Counting Game: Use a virtual spinner or a dice-rolling app to generate random numbers, and have students count out that many objects using toys or other household items.
10. Story Problems with Pictures: Share simple story problems (e.g., "You have 3 apples, and your friend gives you 2 more. How many apples do you have now?") and have students draw pictures to solve.

Grade 1

1. Tally Marks Practice: Ask students to create tally marks to represent numbers. You can give them a number (e.g., 12) and they will draw tally marks to show it.
2. Addition and Subtraction with Dice: Have students roll two dice and add or subtract the numbers rolled. They can use objects at home to help them visualize the problem.
3. Counting Money: Give them virtual or paper play money (coins) and have students practice counting up different coin combinations, such as 5 pennies, 2 nickels, and 1 dime.
4. Number Sentences with Toys: Ask students to create number sentences using their toys (e.g., 5 dinosaurs + 3 dinosaurs = 8 dinosaurs).
5. Shape Sorting: Have students cut out or use colored paper to create different shapes (circle, square, triangle) and sort them by properties such as sides or angles.
6. Measure with a Ruler: Using a ruler or measuring tape, have students measure everyday items around the house (like books, pencils, or boxes) and record the measurements in inches or centimeters.
7. Number Line Practice: Create a number line for students and have them solve simple addition and subtraction problems by jumping along the number line.
8. Missing Number Problems: Present missing number problems (e.g., __ + 4 = 9) and have students solve them using objects, number lines, or mental math.
9. Create a Calendar: Have students make a monthly calendar, and ask them to practice writing the date and identifying days of the week or months of the year.
10. Shape Drawing Challenge: Challenge students to draw a picture using at least five shapes (e.g., circles, squares, rectangles). They can explain their picture and the shapes used.

Grade 2

1. Skip Counting with Objects: Ask students to skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s using objects (like pennies or toy blocks).
2. Fact Families: Create a “fact family” for students, where they can write addition and subtraction facts that go together (e.g., 3 + 4 = 7, 4 + 3 = 7, 7 - 3 = 4, 7 - 4 = 3).
3. Money Word Problems: Have students solve simple word problems involving money, like buying items and making change. You can use virtual coins or pictures of money.
4. Place Value Game: Use a virtual spinner to randomly generate two-digit numbers, and ask students to break the numbers down into tens and ones (e.g., 34 = 30 + 4).
5. Time with Analog Clocks: Teach students how to read analog clocks by having them practice drawing times on a clock face. You can provide different times and ask them to draw the correct time.
6. Create a Bar Graph: Have students survey their family members about their favorite color, food, etc., and create a bar graph to represent the results.
7. Measuring Length: Ask students to measure the length of objects using a ruler or measuring tape. They can then compare the lengths of different objects.
8. Addition and Subtraction Word Problems: Provide simple word problems that involve addition and subtraction, and have students use drawings or objects to solve.
9. Math Bingo: Create a bingo card with different math problems (addition or subtraction). Call out the answers and let students mark them on their cards.
10. Fractional Parts: Show students a picture of a pizza, pie, or chocolate bar divided into parts, and ask them to identify simple fractions (1/2, 1/4).

Grade 3

1. Multiplication Arrays: Have students create arrays (rows and columns) using objects to show multiplication facts (e.g., 3 x 4 = 12, show 3 rows of 4 objects).
2. Area and Perimeter Challenge: Use grid paper or a virtual drawing tool to have students draw shapes (rectangles, squares) and find the area and perimeter.
3. Fraction Models: Have students draw models of fractions using colored circles or rectangles (e.g., 1/2, 1/4). They can shade in portions to represent fractions.
4. Telling Time: Ask students to convert time from digital to analog or vice versa. Provide different times and have them draw the corresponding clock face.
5. Word Problems with Multiplication: Create word problems that involve multiplying two-digit numbers by single-digit numbers and have students solve them using arrays or groups.
6. Comparing Fractions: Provide students with two fractions (e.g., 3/4 and 2/3) and have them compare which is greater or if they are equal.
7. Math Story: Ask students to write a math story that involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. They can share their story with the class.
8. Money Word Problems: Students solve money problems involving addition and subtraction of different coin combinations. They can use virtual coins or real ones.
9. Measurement Conversion: Have students practice converting measurements between inches, feet, and yards using a ruler.
10. Data Collection and Graphing: Have students collect data (e.g., favorite ice cream flavors, number of pets) from their family members and create a bar graph.

Grade 4

1. Long Division Practice: Give students a set of long division problems and have them solve using the standard algorithm, with virtual tools if needed.
2. Decimal Place Value: Have students practice comparing, ordering, and rounding decimals (e.g., 0.45 vs. 0.54).
3. Angle Measurement: Ask students to measure angles in the house using a protractor, or use an online tool to practice measuring angles.
4. Elapsed Time: Provide time-related problems where students calculate elapsed time, such as “If a movie starts at 2:15 PM and ends at 4:00 PM, how long is the movie?”
5. Fraction Addition: Have students add and subtract fractions with like denominators using drawings or fraction bars.
6. Word Problems with Multiplication and Division: Create word problems involving multi-step operations like multiplication and division, where students solve using strategies like breaking problems into parts.
7. Geometry Challenges: Have students identify different types of angles and classify triangles and quadrilaterals (acute, obtuse, right, equilateral, etc.).
8. Proportions and Ratios: Provide simple ratio problems like, "If there are 4 red apples for every 5 green apples, how many red apples are there if there are 25 green apples?"
9. Comparing Fractions: Give students a set of fractions and ask them to compare using greater than, less than, or equal to symbols.
10. Coordinate Graphing: Introduce coordinate graphing by providing students with a set of coordinates and asking them to plot the points on graph paper or a virtual graph.

Grade 5

1. Multiplying Fractions: Have students multiply fractions by whole numbers or other fractions, using visual models (fraction bars) or equations.
2. Volume and Surface Area: Provide students with the dimensions of 3D shapes (rectangular prisms, cubes) and ask them to calculate the volume and surface area.
3. Decimal Operations: Ask students to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals using real-world examples (e.g., shopping receipts or distance traveled).
4. Advanced Word Problems: Create word problems that require multi-step operations (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication) to solve real-world scenarios.
5. Prime and Composite Numbers: Have students identify prime and composite numbers, and create their own lists of prime numbers up to 100.
6. Coordinate Plane and Graphing: Provide students with coordinate pairs and ask them to graph points on a coordinate plane, identifying patterns or shapes.
7. Order of Operations: Provide math expressions that require the order of operations (PEMDAS) to solve, and challenge students to simplify the expressions.
8. Ratios and Rates: Have students calculate ratios and rates (e.g., if 3 apples cost $1.50, how much would 12 apples cost?).
9. Data Analysis and Probability: Have students analyze data from a survey (e.g., favorite subjects) and calculate probabilities (e.g., what is the chance of choosing a red ball from a bag with 3 red balls and 2 blue balls?).
10. Division with Decimals: Have students practice dividing decimal numbers using long division or a calculator.

Grade 6

1. Solving One-Step Equations: Give students a set of simple one-step equations to solve (e.g., x+4=10x + 4 = 10x+4=10 or 5x=205x = 205x=20). Have them write out the steps and solve the equations using manipulatives (like counters or virtual tools).
2. Coordinate Geometry Treasure Hunt: Have students plot points on a coordinate plane to create a shape (like a triangle or square) and find the perimeter or area. They can share their coordinates and discuss.
3. Proportions in Real Life: Challenge students to find proportional relationships in real life, such as comparing recipes or creating a scale model (e.g., adjusting the ingredients for a recipe based on the number of servings).
4. Ratio Scavenger Hunt: Ask students to go on a "scavenger hunt" to find and document examples of ratios in their environment (e.g., red to blue cars, cats to dogs in a neighborhood). They can then present their findings and discuss.
5. Integer Addition and Subtraction with a Number Line: Have students use a number line to demonstrate adding and subtracting integers. They can solve problems such as “-3 + 7” or “6 – 9” using the number line and explain their reasoning.
6. Surface Area and Volume of 3D Shapes: Use virtual manipulatives or everyday objects to teach surface area and volume. Students can measure real objects at home (e.g., a box or container) and calculate their surface area or volume.
7. Simple Probability Experiments: Have students conduct probability experiments with virtual dice or coin flips. For example, they can calculate the probability of rolling an even number or flipping heads, and record their results.
8. Simple and Compound Interest: Introduce students to the basics of simple and compound interest. Use an online compound interest calculator to show how money grows over time. Create scenarios where students calculate the interest on a loan or savings account.
9. Prime Factorization Bingo: Have students create bingo cards with numbers on them. Then, call out a number, and students must find its prime factorization. The first student to complete a row wins.
10. Graphing Inequalities: Provide students with simple inequalities (e.g., y>2x+3y > 2x + 3y>2x+3) and have them graph these on a coordinate plane using virtual graphing tools or graph paper.

Grade 7

1. Proportional Relationships and Graphs: Give students a set of proportional relationships (e.g., cost per item) and ask them to create graphs that represent those relationships. They can interpret the slope and rate of change from their graph.
2. Algebraic Expressions Scavenger Hunt: Ask students to find and write down algebraic expressions they encounter in real life (e.g., total cost, distance traveled, etc.). Have them simplify and evaluate these expressions.
3. Real-World Systems of Equations: Pose a real-world scenario (e.g., “Two friends are each buying concert tickets. One buys 2 tickets for $10 each, and the other buys 3 tickets for $12 each. How much money did each spend?”). Students will solve using a system of equations.
4. Ratio and Proportional Reasoning with Recipes: Students can scale a recipe based on given servings. For example, if a recipe calls for 3 eggs for 4 servings, how many eggs are needed for 10 servings? This also introduces rational numbers and proportion.
5. Linear Functions through Word Problems: Present students with real-life word problems involving linear functions. For example, “A gym charges a membership fee plus a fixed cost per class. If you know the total cost for 3 classes, students can use a linear function to find the total cost for any number of classes.”
6. Probability with Simulations: Have students simulate a random event (like flipping a coin or drawing a card from a deck) multiple times using virtual tools or apps, and then calculate and analyze the experimental probability vs. theoretical probability.
7. Scale Drawings and Geometry: Provide students with a blueprint of a room or house, and ask them to use scale factors to create their own scale drawing. Students can calculate actual dimensions using the scale.
8. Work Problems (Rates and Time): Pose rate problems (e.g., if a train travels 60 miles per hour, how far will it go in 3 hours?) and challenge students to solve them. They can create and interpret simple equations to represent work problems.
9. Scientific Notation Scavenger Hunt: Have students search for examples of numbers written in scientific notation (like distances in space, or population figures) and convert them to standard notation and back.
10. Reflection and Rotation of Shapes: Use graph paper or an online tool to have students reflect or rotate a geometric shape. They can determine the new coordinates after the transformation and discuss patterns.

Grade 8

1. Pythagorean Theorem Exploration: Have students apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of sides in right triangles. They can use rulers or virtual tools to measure, then calculate using the formula a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2a2+b2=c2.
2. Linear Equations in Context: Give students real-world situations (like calculating phone bills or interpreting data from a research study) where they create and solve linear equations to model the situation.
3. Systems of Equations with Graphs: Students can graph systems of linear equations to find the point of intersection. They can use graphing tools or plot points manually on graph paper.
4. Transformations of Geometric Figures: Introduce transformations such as translation, rotation, reflection, and dilation. Have students apply transformations to shapes and describe the changes in the figure's coordinates.
5. Exponents and Powers in Real Life: Give students real-life examples of exponents (like calculating the area of a square with side length x2x^2x2 or understanding scientific notation). They can use these examples to calculate and interpret exponents.
6. Quadratic Equations: Present simple quadratic equations (e.g., x2−4=0x^2 - 4 = 0x2−4=0) and ask students to solve by factoring, using the square root method, or completing the square. You can incorporate visual aids like parabolas.
7. Financial Literacy: Budgeting: Have students create a budget for a fictional scenario, such as managing monthly expenses or planning for a big event. They can use percentages, proportions, and basic algebra to make decisions about income, savings, and spending.
8. Data Collection and Analysis: Have students collect data from a family member or friend (like shoe sizes or hours spent on homework per week) and analyze the data using measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode).
9. Solving Word Problems with Rational and Irrational Numbers: Present word problems that involve operations with rational and irrational numbers (e.g., finding the square root of a non-perfect square). Students can use a calculator and simplify their results.
10. Volume and Surface Area of Cylinders, Cones, and Spheres: Ask students to find the volume and surface area of 3D shapes like cylinders or spheres. Students can use real-world examples, such as calculating the volume of a water bottle or the surface area of a basketball.

Algebra 1

1. Solving Linear Equations with Real-World Contexts: Give students a set of word problems that involve solving linear equations (e.g., "A car rental company charges a base fee of $25 plus $0.15 per mile. Write an equation for the total cost, and solve for the number of miles driven if the total cost is $75.").
2. Graphing Linear Equations and Slopes: Have students graph linear equations in slope-intercept form (e.g., y=mx+by = mx + by=mx+b) and identify the slope and y-intercept from the equation. Students can also create their own story problems related to the lines they graph (e.g., "A teacher’s salary increases by $500 each year. Plot the salary vs. years worked.").
3. Linear Inequalities and Shading: Students can practice graphing linear inequalities (e.g., y<2x+3y < 2x + 3y<2x+3) on a coordinate plane. They can shade the region that satisfies the inequality and use a real-world context, such as budgeting or temperature comparisons, to interpret the shaded region.
4. Systems of Equations through Substitution and Elimination: Present students with real-world scenarios where they need to solve systems of equations by substitution or elimination. For example, "Two trains are traveling toward each other. Train A is moving at 60 miles per hour, and Train B is moving at 80 miles per hour. After how long will they meet if they start 600 miles apart?"
5. Factoring Trinomials Game: Create a fun, competitive factoring activity where students race to factor trinomials (e.g., x2+5x+6x^2 + 5x + 6x2+5x+6) using a set of pre-written trinomials. You can turn this into a game, where students work in pairs or teams and earn points for correct factors. They could also use interactive online tools or apps to check their answers.
6. Using Desmos to Visualize Parabolas: Introduce students to graphing quadratic equations (e.g., y=ax2+bx+cy = ax^2 + bx + cy=ax2+bx+c) using Desmos or another graphing tool. Students can manipulate the values of aaa, bbb, and ccc to see how the graph changes. Ask them to create real-world scenarios involving projectile motion (e.g., "A ball is thrown into the air and follows a parabolic path.").
7. Solving Absolute Value Equations: Present students with absolute value equations (e.g., ∣x+3∣=7|x + 3| = 7∣x+3∣=7) and challenge them to solve for xxx. They can create their own absolute value problems based on everyday situations, such as "The distance from home to school is 7 miles, and you walk 3 miles. How many miles away from home are you after walking?"
8. Exploring Exponents with Real-World Scenarios: Have students use exponents in real-life scenarios, such as calculating compound interest or population growth. They can create problems like, "If a population of 500 bacteria doubles every hour, how many bacteria will there be after 6 hours?" Students can use online calculators to confirm their answers.
9. Creating and Solving Word Problems with Quadratic Functions: Present students with real-world word problems that lead to quadratic equations (e.g., "A ball is thrown upward with an initial velocity of 40 feet per second from a height of 10 feet. How long will it take to hit the ground?"). Students will write the quadratic equation and solve using factoring, completing the square, or the quadratic formula.
10. Exploring Rational Expressions and Equations: Have students simplify rational expressions (e.g., x2−4x−2\frac{x^2 - 4}{x - 2}x−2x2−4​) and solve rational equations. Students can create story problems involving rates (e.g., "If a tank is filling with water at a rate of 5x\frac{5}{x}x5​ liters per minute, how long will it take to fill the tank?").

So there you have 10 great ideas to choose from no matter what level you teach. 

Your students don't have to be wasting their time with drill and kill just because the weather is bad. Instead, they get to be engaged with standard aligned activities requiring exploration, critical thinking, real world situations, and stay on track with grade level standards!  

Happy Inclement Weather Day!