Let’s be real for a minute—if you tell a teen you’ve planned a math lesson, you’ll probably get a groan, an eye-roll, or an expertly dramatic sigh. But what if that “lesson” involved running around the yard, solving puzzles with sidewalk chalk, or even tossing bean bags at algebra problems? Now we’re talking. After all, who wouldn’t like to play outdoor math games, even middle and high schoolers?
Math doesn’t have to stay indoors or feel like a punishment. With a bit of creativity, you can take math outside and turn it into a game that middle and high schoolers actually want to play.
Outdoor Math Games Even Big Kids Will Love
Outdoor math games are a great way to sneak in learning, get in physical movement, and take a break from screens. Whether you’re a homeschooler looking to shake things up or a teacher planning some end-of-year fun, these activities will bring numbers to life.
Here are some favorite outdoor math games for older kids that combine strategy, movement, and a good dose of laughter.
#1 Math Game- Math Relay Races
Math relay races can be a great outdoor math game for middle and high school students. You can use them to practice many skills, and they encourage kids to get moving. Usually, when there is a timed element or race against someone else, it gets kids pumped and engaged. So, give this a try.
Great for: Group activities, co-op days, or siblings who need to burn energy.
Description:
Set up a relay race with math problems at different stations. Think of it like a scavenger hunt meets a pop quiz—only way more fun. You can write problems on index cards and tape them to cones or trees. To move to the next station, players must solve the problem correctly.
Make it competitive with teams where one student is waiting at the next station and cannot start until the player before them reaches their station. Or, if you don’t have a group, you could set a time goal that the student needs to beat.
Either way, kids will get that adrenal rush and be motivated to solve problems quickly.
Ideas by subject:
- Algebra: Solve for x in equations like 3x + 5 = 20.
- Geometry: Calculate the area or perimeter of shapes drawn in chalk.
- Probability: Draw colored balls from a bucket and estimate chances.
Pro tip: Mix in some goofy physical challenges, such as 10 jumping jacks, a crab walk, or running in place, to keep the energy high.
# 2 Outdoor Math Game- Sidewalk Chalk Equation Challenges
This activity can be done in a driveway or any paved area. It is a great way to review math concepts and add some gross motor activity for students.
Great for: Driveways, patios, or any paved area you can draw on.
Description:
Chalk isn’t just for little kids. Teens can get in on the fun with big, colorful equation challenges. Draw coordinate grids for graphing linear functions, write a long equation that needs simplifying, or make a math-themed obstacle course where each hopscotch square has a question.
One cool twist: draw a math-themed maze or “number path” where each correct answer leads to the next square.
Bonus challenge: Time each other to see who can complete the problem path the fastest without making mistakes.
#3 Math Game- Target Practice Math
Here is another fun outdoor math game that includes math and movement. It can also bring out the competition in kiddos! Additionally, it is easy to adapt to different age groups and ability levels when playing.
Great for: Backyard play with balls, beanbags, or frisbees.
This one combines physical movement with mental calculation. Set up targets (cardboard boxes, buckets, hula hoops, or taped circles) with different math problems on each. Kids must solve the problem before tossing a beanbag or shooting a ball into the target.
Correct answer? Toss away! Wrong answer? Try again, or take a mini penalty, such as balancing on one leg, while you figure it out.
You can adjust the difficulty for older students:
- Solve quadratic equations before throwing.
- Identify the correct graph that matches a function.
- Convert units (like inches to centimeters) under pressure.
Pro Tip: Keep a stack of index cards or sheets of paper handy with various math problems. If you have kids working on different skills, you can include problems tailored to each student.
#4 Outdoor Math Game- Real-World Math Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are fun at any age. After all, my teens still love a good Easter Egg Hunt. Now, we’ll just make one that is math-related.
Great for: School yard, parks, or neighborhood adventures.
Create a list of math-based clues to solve during a walk or scavenger hunt.
For example:
- “Find a structure with symmetry. What kind is it?”
- “Estimate the height of a lamppost using your shadow.”
- “Count how many right angles you can find in a playground.”
- “Estimate and measure the distance between____ and ____ (telephone pole, goal post, swing, slide, etc.)
Middle and high schoolers are ready for some meatier challenges, so include geometry, scale, ratios, or even a little trigonometry if they’re ready. They’ll be surprised how often math shows up in the wild.
#5 Outdoor Game- Math Basketball (or Kickball, or Whatever Ball)
Take a game the kids will enjoy and make it into math practice. Whether you have a large group or one kid, you can surely find a way to adapt this outdoor math game. For instance, if it is just you and your son or daughter, you can play the basketball game HORSE. Each time one of you makes a basket, you solve a problem.
Great for: Kids who enjoy sports and need a brain-body connection.
Every time someone scores a basket (or goal or kick), they must answer a math question before their point counts. Wrong answer? No point! You can make a question bank with sticky notes or cards drawn randomly.
For added fun, make questions harder the more points they’ve scored—kind of like leveling up in a video game. Watch them start double-checking those answers when victory is on the line.
#6 Outdoor Game- Coordinate Plane Treasure Hunt
There is nothing like building a giant grid for a little outdoor math game fun! It is a great way to practice coordinates, slope, and y-intercept.
Great for: Strategic thinking and spatial awareness.
Description:
Use a giant chalk grid to create a life-sized coordinate plane. Hide “treasures” (tokens, puzzle pieces, candy) at different coordinates. Give clues in the form of equations:
- “Start at (3, 2), move four units to the right across the x-axis.”
- “Graph the line y = 2x + 1 and find where it intersects with y = -x + 7.”
Make it as easy or hard as you’d like. You can use problems right from their math book.
#7 Math Game- Math Jeopardy Lawn Edition
Jeopardy is a fun and very versatile game. You can make Jeopardy questions for any subject. This time, however, you will take learning outside, with a focus on math. I used to do Math Jeopardy in my fourth-grade classroom, and it was a hit.
Great for: Small groups, family game nights, or homeschool co-ops.
Description:
Set up categories and questions on poster boards outside. You can hang them on any surface, such as the side of a house, garage, or school, or prop them up on chairs. Set up chairs or cones to designate teams. Kids choose a category and a point value, then “buzz in” (shout, jump, or run to a cone) with their answer. It’s the classic quiz show with a sunny twist!
Category ideas:
- “Algebra Antics”
- “Geometry in Nature”
- “Word Problems in the Wild”
- “Famous Numbers”
The winner gets to pick the next family game night movie—or maybe just some extra s’mores. If this is for a school group or co-op, perhaps they will win a prize or receive a ‘no homework’ pass.
#8 Fun Game- Angle Hunt Challenge
Last but not least is the Angle Hunt Challenge. Your middle and high school students can review or practice reading and naming angles. It might help with some SAT prep. Plus, it’s a great outdoor math game when the weather is nice, and you just don’t want to be inside.
{You also may like: 10 Outdoor Learning Ideas for Days It’s Too Nice to Be Indoors}
Great for: Group activities, co-op days, or individual students.
Supplies: Protractors, clipboards, a pencil, a printable worksheet, or a notebook
Description:
Head outside to find and measure real-world angles—think fences, tree branches, sidewalk intersections, or playground equipment. Kids will use a protractor to measure acute, right, obtuse, and straight angles. Record your findings and label each angle type.
Extension Ideas:
- Create a chart: How many of each type of angle can you find?
- Estimate angles first, then measure to check accuracy.
- Challenge: Find two supplementary angles (add to 180°) or complementary (add to 90°).
Bonus Twist:
- Draw your angles in chalk and have a partner measure them. The closest estimate without a protractor wins!
Final Thoughts: Math + Movement = Magic
Let’s ditch the dusty image of math as something that only happens in notebooks under fluorescent lights. The world is full of shapes, patterns, angles, and equations just waiting to be explored. When kids see math in action—when it feels like a game, a challenge, a race—they engage on a whole new level.
So next time you feel a math slump coming on, grab your chalk, some cones, or a basketball, and head outside. You just might find that even the most math-resistant teen will start seeing numbers in a new light. You can’t go wrong with trying at least one of these outdoor math games!
And hey, if all else fails, bribe them with popsicles. Food is a good motivator, and they may soon realize they are actually having fun.
If you’d like a handout of these outdoor math games, please fill out the form below, and I’ll send them to you.
Happy Homeschooling!
P.S. If you enjoy outdoor games, consider having teens design and create their own outdoor board game. It’s great for working on creative thinking skills!
