Fixit Maths

Learning from Mistakes

Pack the presents

A game for 1 or more players

This game provides practice of times tables facts up to 6x6. It reinforces the commutative nature of multiplication (that 4x5 and 5x4 both equal 20) and encourages visual recognition of the associated rectangles. This also highlights the link between multiplication and area.

You will need:

  • Two 6-sided dice
  • 3 counters for each player
  • Pack the presents pdf - print a copy for each player on thick paper or card, then cut out the cupboard and presents

    • How to play

    Each player takes 3 life counters and a cupboard. All the presents are put in the centre of the table. Players take turns to roll the 2 dice and multiply the numbers rolled together. They must then find the present that matches the multiplication fact.

    E.g. Rolling a 2 and a 6 would result in 2x6=12. The longer rectangle with the number 12 would match these dimensions, as it covers a space which is 2 squares wide and 6 squares long.

    Presents must be placed either on the bottom of the cupboard, or stacked on top of other presents without overhanging them at all. Presents can be rotated and placed on either their shorter or longer side.

    If a present if too big to fit into the remaining space in a cupboard, it is returned to the centre and the player loses a life counter. If there is no present remaining that matches the numbers rolled by a player, they may roll again. When a player loses their last life counter, they have finished packing their presents and must stop playing. Other players continue until they lose their 3 life counters. When no one has any life counters left, the player who has fitted the most presents into their cupboard is the winner.

    Variations

  • Play by drawing the appropriately sized presents onto an empty 100 square or 10 by 10 grid on squared paper
  • If playing a solo game, the aim is to fit 12 presents in the cupboard. On subsequent games, try to beat your score!
  • Glue the printouts onto wrapping paper before cutting out. Players guess which present matches their dice roll, before turning it over to check.

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