Last Person Standing
Last Person Standing is one of those quick, no-prep maths games I like to pull out when I want a fast-paced place value challenge where students make number decisions, stay alert, and try to be the last one still in the game.
How It Works
Have each student write a random multi-digit number on a piece of paper and keep it hidden. Ask everyone to stand, then call out a place value (e.g. tens or hundreds) and a digit. Any student whose number has that digit in that place value is out and sits down. Continue calling different place values and digits until only one student remains standing.
For Example:
Student 1 chooses 4, 749 and Student 2 with 7, 627
Teacher says: “Hundreds place – 7” → Student 1 has 7 in hundreds → eliminated
Teacher says: “Tens place – 2” → Student 2 has 2 in tens → eliminated
The game continues until only one student remains.
Why It's So Good
• Engaging, strategic, and energising
• Reinforces understanding of place value and number structure
• Quick to set up since students just need paper and a pen
• Encourages careful thinking and planning
• Fun, competitive, and perfect for a 5–10 minute warm-up
Last Person Standing is a quick, no-prep maths activity that turns place value into a fun, fast-paced game. Give it a try and let me know what you think of this game!
