Open Ended Math

Everyone thinks math is black and white—but it’s really not.

I suspect this is part of why many non-linear thinkers struggle with basic concepts. That, and the lack of a strong foundation built by moving from concrete to abstract in a thoughtful, step-by-step way.

This is one of the many reasons I love open-ended math questions: they open your mind to endless possibilities.

My Favorite Prompt: “How Do You Make…?”

Here’s how it works:

• Pick a random number. (Some days I ask my husband or one of the kids to choose; other times we leave it to the fates and a random number generator!)

• Then each child writes one way to make that number.

It’s beautifully simple and perfect for every age.

If your youngest only writes 59 + 0 = 59—fantastic! That’s the identity property of addition in action.
Meanwhile, an older child might create something wild and complex.

Everyone participates at their own level, and everyone wins.

Want to try it yourself?
I’ve created templates for this game and other weekly math challenges to bring joy and curiosity to your homeschool.

👉 Join the Wonder Vault to grab these resources and start adding delight to your math time!