Missile Maths

After my recent investment in some PVC piping I came up with this addition based target game. I debated the use of a nerf gun as my son had not been exposed to toy guns before but I knew it would really engage him. If you prefer you could always just use a ball to throw.

The set up.

What you need:

- the frame is made from PVC piping purchased at a home store, I added a bit of electrical tape to the centre joint for reinforcement

- perforated old cactus pots with a felt number stuck on them for the targets

- targets attached to the piping with colour coded pipe cleaners

- nerf-style gun

- paint palette and small colour coded beads for the points counters

- empty 'my score' pot

- red 'aiming line' on the floor to keep my son at a safe shooting distance

The activity:

Before starting I explained some important rules to my son about using the missile gun and made it clear that if he did not follow the rules we would have to put the game away. 

I asked him to stand behind the red line and try to hit one of the number targets. The round consisted of him getting to aim three missiles and each time I asked him which number he was trying to hit. After a few attempts he hit the number 2 target. This meant that he scored 2 points and had to count out 2 yellow beads into his 'my score' pot. He then used the other two missiles to try and add to his score. He hit the number 4 target with his last missile so I asked him to count out 4 green beads into his 'my score' pot. 

Hitting the number 2 target pot.

My son then had to figure out his total score at the end of the round by counting all of his beads. As time went on and he got better at aiming the addition became more complex. This is a game that now gets played most days and he loves the challenge of trying to beat Daddy's score.

Counting out his beads/points.

Adding up his total score.