Maths Hot Potato
I enjoy kicking off my maths lessons with Maths Hot Potato! It’s a simple way to turn problem-solving into a game and no one can sit still when the “potato” starts flying around.
How It Works
Students pass a ball (or any small object) around while music plays. When the music stops, the student holding the “hot potato” answers a maths question. Keep going until everyone has had a turn or you’ve completed a few rounds.
Some Question Ideas:
Numbers & Algebra
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Divide 72 by 8
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I bought 5 packs of 6 pencils. How many pencils do I have?
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Solve: x + 12 = 25
Measurement & Space
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Find the perimeter of a rectangle: length 9 m, width 5 m
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Convert 350 cm into metres
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Find the area of a square with side 9 cm
Statistics & Probability
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What is the mean of 4, 6, 8, 10?
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If you roll a die, what’s the probability of getting an even number?
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You surveyed 20 students, and 12 like chocolate ice cream. What fraction of students like chocolate ice cream?
Why It's So Good
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Gets students moving while practising mental maths
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Keeps everyone engaged and involved
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Can be adjusted for different skill levels
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Great for warm-ups, transitions, or quick reviews
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Easy to set up and fun for the whole class
So, in your next lesson, pass the ball, solve the problem, and enjoy maths with this easy and no prep activity!
