My Favorite Math Apps

One of the most common questions I get from parents and teachers is “What are some good math apps I can use with my kid/student?” There are thousands of math apps available, so I could see how it’s challenging to sort through which ones are good and which ones aren’t? Many apps focus on speed and fact recall.

An example of one is how many addition facts you could get through in a minute.  This is just a virtual version of timed tests and flashcards. Check out my blog- Timed Tests on why these tests aren’t useful for students. I NEVER recommend these types of apps to teachers or parents. Math is not about speed.

There are several apps that I do recommend. I’ll go through some of those.

1. BrainingCamp

This company offers virtual manipulatives. The reason why I love virtual manipulative apps is that students can take the hands-on lessons they are doing in school and practice them at home with their parents.

Screenshot of Braining Camp Virtual Manipulatives app

This app offers base ten blocks, color tiles, Cuisenaire rods, fraction circles, pattern blocks, place value disks and so much more. You could buy all these virtual manipulatives individually or in a bundle. I chose to go with the bundle because you could use some of these tools all the way from Pre-K to Grade 5.

2. A Math Learning Center

These apps are quite similar to the products that BrainingCamp offers. It does have fewer options. However, what makes these apps stand out is that they’re free. I believe they would have to be downloaded individually.

Screenshot of A Math Learning Center Virtual Manipulatives app. The app is showing an example using pattern blocks.

Those are two of my favorite virtual manipulatives apps. You’ll notice that neither one asks students to answer questions. There is a reason for that. One of the best things you could do with your children and students is to have them explore content. It’s also essential for students to use tools in ways that fit them best. You may have one way of solving a problem, I may have a completely different way. These tools offer students variety.

Math is different now. It’s hands-on and interactive. These tools will help students investigate math concepts at a deeper level.

3.Bedtime Math

I love this app! It provides you with a story that you could read really at any time even though its called Bedtime Math. After the story, it gives you three math situations that you can answer. The questions go from easy to hard. My son and I look at this site before bedtime. He really challenges himself to see how many questions he could get done. The math and literature connection is terrific. Teachers you could use this as part of your ELA block with a Math extension. It just promotes that math is everywhere. Another bonus is that this app comes in Spanish as well.

A screenshot of the Bedtime Math App. The app shows the math problem of the day and surprise buttons.

4. Greg Tang Math

Chances are your child has used this app in school or at home already. I like this app because of its versatility. It addresses logic games and puzzles. There is a literature component linked to Greg Tang’s books. And lastly, there’s a word problem generator. Teachers this is great to use and you can modify them to create numberless word problems. Parents, this tool is excellent for you as well, in case your child needs practice with word problems.

A screenshot of the Greg Tang Math App. The app is showing the game Ten Frame Mania

Those are just a couple of apps I would recommend to classroom teachers and parents.

We don’t want math to feel like this isolated subject you only do at school. These apps are a great way to connect what happens in school and at home. It helps with going from math anxiety to math zen.

I want to end on this note. John Stevens from Table Talk Math states in his book “The best ‘app’ our children can access is quality interaction with someone at home.” I couldn’t agree more with this statement. YOU are the best resource for your child/student.

For more activities to do at home check out:

 

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Math Struggles Ain’t Just About Numbers

Let’s be B.F.F.R—math can stress kids out. You’ve seen it: the frozen-in-place stare, the pencil tapping like it’s sending an SOS, or the classic “I CAN’T DO THIS!” meltdown before even trying. But here’s the thing—most of the time, their struggle isn’t about numbers. It’s about mindset.

What if we borrowed some life coaching techniques to help our students not just survive math but actually thrive in it? Let’s break it down into simple, practical ways you can empower your students without turning into a full-blown therapist.

 Reframe the Narrative (A.K.A. Flip the Script on “I’m Bad at Math”)

Ever notice how kids say “I’m bad at math” like it’s their official personality trait? That belief is holding them back more than any tricky word problem ever could.

How to Do It:

  • When a student says, “I suck at math,” respond with: “You’re still learning. Let’s find a way that makes sense to you.”
  • Introduce the Power of Yet: “You don’t get it… yet. But your brain is working on it!”
  • Share stories of people who struggled with math and overcame it (bonus points if you can find famous athletes, musicians, or influencers).

Remind them that they once thought tying their shoes was impossible, and look at them now—shoe-tying pros. Math is just another skill that takes practice.

Teach Emotional Regulation (Because Frustration Is a Math Blocker)

We can’t expect students to push through challenges if they’re spiraling into math-induced panic mode. When frustration kicks in, their brains hit the “I’m out!” button.

How to Do It:

  • Pause & Breathe: Before jumping to the “I CAN’T,” have students take a deep breath. Try “breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4.” Simple, but it works.
  • Break It Down: Instead of tackling the whole problem at once, ask, “What’s one thing we DO know?” Small wins build confidence.
  • Normalize Struggle: Post a sign in your classroom: “Mistakes Mean You’re Learning.” Say it. Live it. Believe it! As Naruto says.

Set Micro-Goals (Because Big Goals Can Feel Overwhelming)

If a kid already feels lost, telling them “just keep practicing” is like saying, “just climb this mountain real quick.” Instead, break it into steps.

How to Do It:

  • Instead of “Get better at multiplication,” set a goal like: “Practice a doubling/halving strategy.”
  • Use progress charts so students can SEE their growth. 
  • Celebrate the small wins! Even if they only got one more right than last time—that’s growth!

Remind them “If you can memorize every single lyric to that TikTok song, you can 100% remember a few math strategies.” 
Honestly research shows long term memory is activated when we leverage different modalities in our lessons. It’s how the brain learns math.

Shift from Performance to Progress (Because Speed Ain’t Everything)

Fluency is about thinking efficiently, not racing to the answer. The goal isn’t to turn kids into human calculators—it’s to help them use numbers flexibly.

How to Do It:

  • Replace timed tests with strategy-based challenges (ex: “How many ways can you solve 12 × 8?”).
  • Instead of praising fast answers, celebrate smart strategies: “Ooooh, I love how you broke that down!”
  • Remind them that even adults use tools like calculators and sticky notes—real math is about knowing how to approach problems, not just getting the answer instantly.

 Teach Self-Talk (Because Their Inner Voice Matters More Than You Know)

The way kids talk to themselves about math shapes their experience with it. If they constantly say, “I can’t do this,” their brain believes it. Time to switch up the self-talk game.

How to Do It:

  • Teach “I can” statements: Instead of “I don’t get it,” try “I don’t get it YET, but I can figure this out.”
  • Have students write down one math strength (even if it’s “I’m good at counting on my fingers” – that’s a start!).
  • Encourage students to talk to themselves like they’d talk to a friend. Would they tell a friend, “You’re dumb at math”? No? Then don’t say it to yourself either!

Emphasize- “You wouldn’t let your best friend talk trash about you, so don’t let your brain do it either!”

Coaching Math Mindsets for the Win

At the end of the day, teaching math fluency isn’t just about numbers—it’s about helping kids believe they can figure things out. When we shift from just teaching math to coaching their mindset, we create students who are not only fluent in math but confident in life.

So, here’s your challenge: What’s one small move you can try this week? Whether it’s shifting self-talk, celebrating small wins, or breaking down frustration, pick one and run with it.

Oh, and if you want more strategies like these, check out my Figuring Out Fluency series, (Book 1) (Book 2) where we make fluency engaging, empowering, and (most importantly) actually make sense.

And if you want more math mindset strategies, grab my Guide For Teachers To Help Students With Growth Mindset