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Mental maths doesn’t have to be scary or always taught by rote. If you’re looking for fun ways to teach number facts or make mental arithmetic more engaging, then Eggcellent Maths might just be the resource you are looking for.
Helping children to become fluent in number facts – such as addition and subtraction number bonds, multiplication tables and inverse division facts – is essential for confident, long-term mathematical understanding. Whilst repetition and rote learning has its place, we also know that memorable, fun moments help to motivate and engage children.
This makes Eggcellent Maths a cracking addition (pun fully intended) to any classroom or maths area!
Why Choose Hands-On Maths for Mental Arithmetic?
Children learn in different ways. Some absorb information best by listening, others through visual cues, and many through hands-on practical experiences. Using tactile maths resources and manipulatives in the classroom, such as Eggcellent Maths, can help children to:
- Develop number fluency through repetition and play.
- Build confidence in a low-pressure environment.
- Engage in maths talk and reasoning with friends.
Eggcellent Maths can support all of this – and more!
Eggcellent Maths Activities to Try in Your Classroom
Here are five easy to run activities taken from the TTS Eggcellent Maths activity ideas download. These have been created to be classroom friendly and packed with fun.
1. Beat the Teacher
Some children love a bit of healthy competition – especially when they get to take on the grown-ups!
Set a challenge: Can they answer more questions than you? Can they reach 100 correct answers before you do? Switch up the operations, focus on times tables one week and subtraction the next. Involve different members of staff and see who’s the toughest to beat!
2. Pass the Egg – Try Not to Crack
Gather your class or small group into a circle. One child answers a question and then quickly passes the egg on – but time is ticking! If someone fumbles or gets an incorrect answer, the egg ‘cracks’ and the creature pops out with a SQUARK!
Track how many correct answers they get before the egg hatches. Encourage teamwork and talk about strategies for making improvements. Great as a warm-up or intervention group activity.
3. Individual Timed Game
Got a speedy little mathematician in your group? Set a timer – maybe 30 seconds, maybe 2 minutes – and see how many questions they can answer correctly. Can they beat their personal best?
This is a fun way to celebrate individual progress, build confidence, and inject a burst of excitement into mental maths sessions.
4. 100 Question Challenge
The ultimate Eggcellent test! Children pick an operation – addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. Can they answer 100 questions correctly in a row? They can choose difficulty levels, such as number bonds to 10 or times tables up to 12.
If they manage it? They earn the title of Eggcellent Mathematician – and yes, there’s a downloadable certificate involved!
5. Small Group Intervention
The egg works brilliantly in small-groups, especially for boosting confidence and maths fluency. Use it in warm-ups or plenaries and pair it with practical resources like number squares/lines or counters for extra support.
Let children talk through their answers together before submitting them, and don’t forget to celebrate progress over time by tracking improvements in speed and accuracy.
Celebrating Success with Eggcellent Maths
Why not create a class leaderboard (or individual trackers) to show off improvements and progress? Great for motivation and celebrating small wins!
Why Practitioners Love it
Eggcellent Maths isn’t just fun, it’s flexible, multi-sensory and a great tool for learning. It supports mental arithmetic through:
- Play-based learning
- Strategy sharing and teamwork
- Visual and auditory feedback
- Engaging and fun challenges
With the right tools, helping children to build confidence with number facts and mental arithmetic can be an exciting, fun-filled experience.
Eggcellent Maths is more than just a novelty – it’s a purposeful resource that encourages mathematical thinking, supports fluency, and brings meaningful play into your classroom.
So, if you’re looking to get children engaged in learning number facts whilst having fun, why not give Eggcellent Maths a go! Top tip – Don’t get too ‘eggcited’ as you might just crack!
Written by Michelle Reid. Michelle is a mum of one and has over 20 years of experience working as a nursery nurse and qualified primary teacher.
