Fun Hundred Chart Activities for Building Number Sense

As a math teacher in the elementary classroom, helping our students build a strong number sense is an important concept we must all work on.  While the numbers we focus on may change over the years, helping our students understand those numbers and what they represent is vital to their future math classes.  A hundred chart is one of my favorite tools for working on number sense in the primary classroom.  Check out these fun hundred chart activities for helping your students build a solid foundation with numbers to 100. And. . . if you teach upper elementary students, these same activities can be used with a hundredths chart or thousandths chart too!

1.  Create an Interactive Hundred Chart

It should come to no surprise that since a hundred chart is one of my favorite math tools, I have a large, interactive hundred chart in my classroom.  What I love about this chart, over a store bought chart, is the ability to move the number cards.  This makes it super easy to use the hundred chart during lessons.  And. . . we just might LOVE playing games with this interactive hundred chart.

You can easily create your own interactive hundred chart using this printable resource and a pocket chart.  In fact, this resource includes number cards up to 120 so you can extend your chart to meet your math standards.  

Once you have your hundred chart on display, the real fun begins.  I like to build in a few minutes each day to work on number sense using the hundred chart.  Here's a few interactive games you can play:

• Build the Chart - With young students, building the chart one number at a time is a great way to count up to 100.  In addition to adding the number, you can review numbers you have previously taught.
• Missing Number - Each day before students arrive, take one number off the hundred chart. Challenge students to figure out which number is missing. When students figure out the missing number, ask them how they knew.  This is a great way for them to describe their thinking as they determined the missing number.
• Out of Place - This is a great game to alternate with Missing Number.  Before students arrive, switch two or more numbers on the hundred chart.  Challenge students to find the numbers that are out of place and fix them.  And. . . don't miss the opportunity to have them explain why they chose the numbers they did.
• I Spy - This is a great game that includes lots of opportunities for using math vocabulary.  You or a student can pick a number on the hundred chart.  Start by giving one clue that starts with "I spy a number that is. . ." The rest of the class will take turns guessing the number after hearing the clue.  Try to avoid using the words bigger and smaller, and instead use this opportunity to strengthen the math vocabulary of more, fewer, greater than and less than.
• 20 Questions (or as many students as you have in your class) - This game is similar to I Spy, but instead of you giving a clue, the students are the ones asking questions to try to figure out the number.  Not only does this game have students using math vocabulary, but it also works on listening skills and critical thinking.  You can model this game for students using questions like "Is the number greater than 25?" or "Is the number an even number?"

2. Play Race to 100

This is a fun game for 2 students to play together.  All you need is a hundred chart, two colors of markers, and some dice.  Students will take turn rolling the dice and marking off the squares that correspond to the number they rolled.  The player to reach 100 wins.

I like to play this game using 2 dice.  Younger students can count the total while older students can practice their addition facts adding the two numbers together. 

To add a little challenge to this activity, you can require that the student who wins must have the right number in order to land on 100.  If you roll a number that would cause you to land beyond 100 you are not able to move.  This builds some anticipation and excitement at the end of the game.  You'll also be surprised at the math happening as they try to figure out what that target number is.

You can print out a stack of hundred charts for students to play during math centers or as an early finisher activity.  You can also laminate the hundred charts and let students use a dry erase marker for a game that can be used again and again.

3.  Make Your Own Hundred Chart Puzzles

This is such an easy activity, but one that really helps students identify the patterns on a hundred chart.  Grab an already filled-in hundred chart and copy it onto cardstock.  Then just randomly cut out sections using the lines on the chart. 

You can make this puzzle as simple or as complicated as you need to challenge your students.  The most simple version would be cutting the hundred chart horizontally and leaving each line together.  This will put each set of 10 in one puzzle piece and allow students to work on ordering the numbers by decade.

To help students see the number patterns that are followed, cut the hundreds chart vertically.  This will create 10 puzzle pieces with all the numbers ending in the same digit.  This is one of the best ways I have found for students struggling with the number pattern to see it in action.

To challenge students, randomly cut the hundred chart into different shapes and sizes.  Don't be afraid to use multiple lines and columns in each piece.  

Gather all of your hundreds chart pieces and store them in a zip-loc bag.  When it is time for the activity or math center, challenge students to put the hundred chart back together.  

4. Missing Numbers

Help students master number order with a missing numbers activity.  Here students are provided with a hundred chart that has some numbers on it and some numbers missing.  Students must fill in the missing numbers.

The more numbers missing, the more challenging the activity will be for students. 

This activity is so easy to differentiate for your students.  Have students struggling with numbers to 20 - only use those numbers in your activity.  Have students struggling with number patterns on the hundred chart, be intentional about leaving multiple numbers in the same pattern blank.  

Looking for some done for you missing number practice? Grab this Hundred Chart Activities resource and you will be ready to go!  This pack is filled with a variety of missing number activities to help your students further develop their number sense skills.

5. Draw and Cover

This is a great number identification game that can be used during a math center or as part of a whole class math warm-up.  Grab a hundred chart and a set of number cards and get playing.  Students will draw a number card and then find that number on the hundred chart.  They can cover that number using a unifix cube, a dab of playdough or any small manipulative.  

With a feel that is similar to the beloved game of Bingo, this draw and cover game is sure to keep your students engaged while they are working on their number sense skills.

Save These Hundred Chart Activities

Save these hundred chart activities to your favorite math Pinterest board so you can quickly and easily come back when you need new ideas for using a hundred chart in your classroom.