Are you a 5th grade math teacher trying to figure out more ways to help your students? Try using this engaging and no prep printable adding and subtracting decimals activities PDF for a lesson that’s full of both fun and learning at the same time.
Using fun activities makes your students master adding and subtracting decimals with ease. These engaging worksheets are designed to make decimal decimal operations fun and accessible.
In this blog, we are talking about helping you to build confidence and proficiency in your student’s abilities to add and subtract decimals using mystery puzzle activities.
Why should you teach decimal operations?
It’s a very important skill to teach your students how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
The knowledge that your students gain by building this particular skill is very important in their daily lives while dealing with height, weight, money, etc.
But before this, they need to nail down their basic about decimal place values.
Having prior knowledge of decimal place values, your students will be better able to understand decimal operations like adding and subtracting decimals.
Here are a few resources you can try in your classroom for teaching decimal addition and subtraction:
Engaging Adding and Subtracting Decimals Activities PDF
Keep in mind you need to build up your student’s basic understanding of decimal numbers before your use this printable mystery puzzle activity for review work.
Adding and Subtracting Decimals Mystery Puzzle Activity
You want to review adding and subtracting decimals for your 5th grade math students, and your goal is to make them capable enough to be able to think independently of the math problems.
Why not try these no prep adding and subtracting decimals activities PDF with mystery puzzle worksheets? Here is an example of how it looks:
How does this activity work?
First, print the activity page and cut the puzzle pieces on the right side of the page. You can even tell your students to cut the pieces themselves.
Second, they solve the problem of adding and subtracting decimals on the left side of the page. They can use the block they are working on to show their work or even use the back side of the page to show.
Lastly, they find the puzzle picture with the answer they have found and paste it on that specific question. Encourage them to keep on working until they reveal the mystery picture.
Adding and subtracting decimals activities 5th grade mystery puzzle not only helps them with their decimal problem solving skills but also lets them wonder what mystery lies ahead of them.
If you are interested in the free printable adding and subtracting decimals activity, fill in the form below with your name and email address, and it will be delivered to your inbox.
Click here to download PDF. The activity has an answer key, just in case your kiddos get stuck while solving the puzzle. I hope you found this post helpful.
Teaching your students the concept of 3 digit addition problems is essential for their math skills development. Without a solid foundation in these basic skills, students will face challenges as they progress to higher grade levels.
Let’s explore some strategies you can use inside your classroom to teach 3 digit addition more effectively. So let’s dive in!
Understanding The Basics of 3 Digit Addition Problems
To build a solid foundation of 3 digit addition skills in your students, start by introducing the concept of place value.
Students should know the value of every digit in a 3 digit number. And that should happen even before they begin practicing their addition skills.
Once your students have mastered the place values, it’s time to introduce them to add 2 and 3 digit numbers. This is the time when you gradually introduce them to the concept of regrouping.
Building your student’s skills in this way will allow them to make sense of what they are learning sequentially.
But creating visually appealing worksheets for your students to work on can be a daunting task.
Here are a few 3 digit addition problems worksheet ideas to consider using in your classroom.
3 Digit Addition Riddles activity
Adding riddles activity worksheets in your classroom creates an element of excitement in students. Want some inspiration? Check out these 3 digit addition riddles worksheets in my TPT store!
Here is how it works. Print out one of the worksheets and hand it out to your students. The visually appealing images and the mystery element of the riddles creates a fun and exciting experience for students.
Students then works on the problems to find the clues and solve the riddles. Once all the problems are solved, students can then look for the answer and write the matching alphabet assigned to the problem in the given blanks.
Once all the blanks are filled, students reveal the answer to the riddle. Honestly, riddle worksheets are what my students are always begging for more. I always make sure to incorporate such riddles in my class.
Color By Number is another engaging way to add excitement to your classroom. What’s more interesting is these activities are self checking.
After finding the answer to their problems, kids look for the colors that the correct answer points to and color in the coloring sheet with the desired color.
This sparks creativity and fun, which makes working on these activities enjoyable. Don’t want to make your own! Check this out
Lastly, check out the ones I created for busy teachers like you here.
3 Digit Addition Maze Activity
Another activity you can do in your classroom is this 3 digit addition maze worksheet. These mazes are also self checking which makes less grading and more free time for the teachers. Whereas more learning for the students.
Want some free 3 digit addition problems maze activity click here for a free printable.
My kids are excited to find the answer to the problem they are working on and to find out how they are going to navigate the maze. This interactive activity not only increases their addition skill along with problem solving but keeps them actively engaged in solving math problems.
Are you and your kids ready for some festive fun St. Patrick’s Day spirit in your classroom?
Are you ready to say goodbye to boring activities and see your kids excited to learn math this season?
Then follow along with me for some super fun things you can try in your classroom this season.
By using these St. Patrick’s Day themed Solve The Room Activity you will be able to finally bring some Irish charm into your classroom.
But…
First things first why would you actually need to use this activity?
For me personally, this activity is something I use in my 5th grade math classroom whenever I feel like my kids need a break from their usual math learning and it’s time for some movement going to keep their learning juice flow.
So if it feels like you are facing the same problem, then here are my top 3 reasons why you should use Saint Patrick’s Day themed Scoot activities in your math class:
1. Encourages Movement and Interaction:
The ‘Solve The Room‘ aspect of this activity adds a physical aspect to learning.
Kids aren’t just sitting at their desks and practicing, instead, they’re moving around the classroom.
Halloween week in the classroom is chaos. Between sugar highs, costume distractions, and a packed schedule, the last thing you need is a complicated GCF and LCM practice lesson.
But October is also a great time to hit those tough concepts like Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM) practice especially, if you’ve got the right tools.
That’s why I created these three hands-on, no-prep Halloween-themed math activities that actually get your students excited about GCF and LCM.
These aren’t just worksheets, they’re interactive, self-checking, and fun.
In this post, I’m breaking down how each activity works and how you can use them in your classroom this October.
GCF and LCM Practice Halloween Coloring
Kids in my class LOVE coloring period. The truth is, we need to use more coloring math practice in the age of AI than ever before.
The reason is that kids these days aren’t as calm as they used to be. Coloring helps them calm down due to their hyperactive abilities.
This Halloween color-by-number activity blends math + art to keep kids engaged while practicing core skills.
Students solve GCF and LCM problems, find the matching color, and use it to complete a spooky themed image that you can display on bulletin board.
Why it works:
Self-checking format helps students correct their own work
Visual + hands-on = more focused engagement
Works great for early finishers, math centers, or calming down a hyped-up classroom
The best part? It’s Print and go! No prep needed.
It’s perfect for days when you want meaningful review without managing chaos.
Want to get access to free Order of Operations activity you can use with 5th and 6th grade students? Check it out here:
GCF and LCM Puzzle Cut, Solve, and Reveal
Puzzles help kids with their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
This Halloween math puzzle is like magic, your students won’t even realize how much math they’re doing.
Here is how to implement this 2-pager activity. Problems are on one page and corresponding answer puzzles are on the other.
Students solve each GCF or LCM question, find the puzzle piece with the correct answer, and paste it into the correct space to reveal a mystery Halloween image.
Skills it reinforces:
GCF and LCM mastery
Critical thinking
Fine motor skills and focus
It’s engaging, it’s visual, and it’s low-prep. Just print both pages, and your students handle the rest.
Riddles are like catnip for kids. In this Halloween themed riddle activity, students solve GCF and LCM problems and write their answers on the connected given space.
At the end, they collect letters that solve a spooky riddle.
Here is why it’s a win in my classroom:
Instant buy-in from students
Encourages problem-solving and logic
Great for math stations, partner work, or even test prep review
You can even use it during rotations, independent practice, or as an enrichment activity during Halloween week.
Want to survive Halloween week without losing your mind?
Print all three activities and set them up as stations.
Your students rotate through the color-by-number, puzzle, and riddle and they stay engaged the entire time.
They think it’s fun. You know it’s standards-based review. Everyone wins.
Want to try all 3 Activities?
I bundled all three Halloween GCF & LCM activities together in one low-prep printable pack perfect for 5th and 6th grade math teachers who need a break from boring stuff.
You don’t need to skip meaningful math instruction just because it’s Halloween week.
With the right activities, your students can have fun while practicing critical concepts and you can keep your sanity intact.
Whether you use them for centers, sub plans, or fast finishers, these Halloween-themed GCF and LCM worksheets are ready to go when you are.
Pin it now. Print it later. Teach it without the stress.
Do you feel like the first few weeks of school are a wild ride, between building relationships, establishing routines, and trying to remember 35+ student names, it’s easy for math review to get thrown on the back burner.
But here’s the thing: if you don’t intentionally set the tone for math from day one, your students won’t either for the rest of the year.
And that’s NOT something I want happening in my classroom. Nope, neither should you.
📌 Save this post for later – Pin it to your favorite math board!
So instead of using boring math worksheets or overwhelming diagnostic tests, I use engaging skill based no prep math activities that help me review what they forgot over summer without making them cry.
Here are a few of my go to back to school math activities that review key skills AND get your students excited about learning again.
Activity #1: Color by Number for Math Facts Review
This one’s a classroom favorite — every time. I use them throughout the year in so many ways.
I start the year by reviewing basic math operations like addition subtraction multiplication and division of multi digit numbers. The best way to do this is using color by number math printables that review these core basics.
The coloring math pages aren’t just fun, but a low-pressure way that gives me an instant idea about where my students’s math skills are.
You might be thinking why would math coloring work?
Because it’s quiet, focused, and low-prep (aka teacher sanity saver).
Kids feel successful and relaxed, even if they’re rusty. Most of all, they work across all levels, not just adjust basic math skills!
Here is my go to back to school math activities that I use over and over again:
These let me see exactly who remembers their facts, and who’s gonna need support.
Activity #2: Math Riddles for Skill Review & Confidence Boost
Math + humor = WIN.
After summer brain drain, many kids feel nervous about math. That’s why I love using math riddles during the first few weeks of school.
They’re engaging, self-checking, and build serious confidence, especially for students who typically shut down during more traditional practice.
What matters most is that it keeps them engaged longer, not just because of the math itself, but because the suspense of solving the riddle holds their attention and keeps them going without frustration.
And guess what? There’s actual research to support this.
A study published in the Journal PRIMUSfound that using logic puzzles, riddles and brain teasers in math practice can significantly boost student motivation and learning outcomes.
Riddles work perfectly for partners or independent work and initiate discussions that kids might not otherwise have.
Want a ready-to-use set of math riddles to kick off the year?
Honestly, the first week of school is not the time to hit them with a textbook.
It’s time to build connections, make them curious, and ease them into structure without stress.
One of my favorite ways to do that is by using partner puzzle math activities to review the concepts.
For that, I pair students up to complete a math puzzle in collaboration with their partner. Why?
Because not only does it build classroom community, but it also gets them talking, collaborating, and thinking critically from day one, which is super important.
The key is using something that’s Skill-focused (so it’s not just fluff) and self-checking (because you’ve got 1,000 other things to manage).
You can use something like picture puzzles. Want to know how they work?
Students solve fraction operations problems (add, subtract, multiply, divide), then match their answers to reveal a hidden picture.
They work in pairs, double-check each other’s math, and get excited when the image starts to appear. It’s like math + art + problem-solving rolled into one, and YES, they’ll actually ask for more when they finish.
For middle school grades, I use this Fraction Operations Mystery Picture Puzzle during week one or two when we start reviewing fraction skills from 5th grade. It’s the perfect soft entry back into multi-step problems, especially for students who are a little rusty.
Activity #4: Fun Independent Review Packets
As we transition out of back-to-school dread and into “real curriculum,” I use independent review packets to bridge my kid’s concept gaps.
I choose 1-2 skills per day (ex: decimal addition, then subtraction the next day) and give them a page daily for 5–10 minutes to warm up their math brains.
You can even use independent packets to build your own year long review packets.
Activity #5: Digital Pixel Art Activities
By week two, most of us are already juggling tech rollouts, login issues, and trying to figure out how to squeeze actual math teaching into a packed schedule.
Digital pixel art activities are my go to when I want students using Chromebooks productively without me having to monitor them.
They’re self-checking, skill-based, and fun as hell.
Basically, students solve problems, and a hidden picture gradually appears based on their answers. It’s like gaming, but for math review.
Skill focus: Place value — perfect to revisit those rusty number sense skills from 4th grade When I use it: the first full week of school Why it works:
It’s digital, but doesn’t need fancy platforms
Instant feedback means students stay engaged
It’s great for centers, independent work, or as a tech-day activity
Back-to-school season doesn’t have to be chaos. With the right math activities, the ones that are fun, focused, and functional, you’ll start your year with students who are engaged, confident, and ready to learn.
Skip the overwhelm. Get these exciting activities, and go enjoy teaching your class.
Summer is finally here and it’s the perfect time to keep your kid’s math skills sharp! If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to help your students practice adding and subtracting fractions using color by number PDF free with unlike denominators, I’ve got good news for you.
Adding and Subtracting Fraction Color by Number PDF Free Worksheet
Teaching fractions can be challenging but it doesn’t have to be. This Color by Number activity makes learning fractions fun and stress-free. Your kiddos will love the vibrant mandalas and the creative twist on boring traditional worksheets. Plus, I think it’s a great way to keep them engaged with math during.
How it Works?
This activity is perfect for independent practice, math centers, or homework. Simply print out the worksheets, and let your kids color their way to mastering fractions. The Color by Number format provides instant feedback, so kids can easily see if they’ve got the correct answer. And guess what you can download this activity now for FREE.
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So you have taught fractions unit to your 5th grade kids…Now what?
There are many ways you can keep your students practicing there fractions skill this valentines without feeling overwhelm.
This Valentine’s Day get your 5th graders math game strong by using meaningful activities that help them practice various math skills they have already learnt.
one thing I would advice before starting is do not just make this season all about hearts and candies use it as a perfect opportunity to get your kids more engaged in math fun!
So if your goal is to engage your students with math fun… interactive math activities both print and digital is the way to go.
But before we get started a quick reminder, if you need free math activities and worksheets to try with your 5th grade kids, join the newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox!
Now let the fun began, here are seven exciting math activities that will help your 5th grader’s attention and get them to practice key mathematical skills.
1. Mystery Picture Puzzles
Want to practice multi digit addition and subtraction with regrouping but do not want it to be a boring activity? Mystery picture puzzles are the best way to do it while making it a fun interactive activity.
Your kids will practice their 2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction skills by solving these problems and putting together the puzzle pieces to reveal the picture.
Because look – we math teachers need to know what kids know and what needs more practicing so we can keep our math class more interesting.
So if there is any activity that I can use with my kids to practice their basic operations skills while solving and building a puzzle, I’m am here for it.
How it works:
Prints out the puzzle worksheet and hand it over to the kids. Let them cut the puzzle pieces on the right side.
Once that’s done let them solve and put the mystery pictures together to reveal the picture.
As your students complete the puzzle and uncover the picture you can even instruct them to color it and make it a fun art piece for their classroom bulletin board decoration.
Key Skills this activity helps kids with:
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Addition and Subtraction fluency
2. Color by Numbers
When it comes to practicing math facts especially multiplication and division some things are easier than others. And honestly coloring math activities is like one of those things.
For my kids multiplication and division are the skills that they need more practice with than anything else.
And to tell you the truth it is better to get them to practice these skills more during their upper elementary years more so it’s easier for them to build other math concepts during their middle school years.
This is the exact reason why I have whole year themed multiplication and division color by number activities.
That mainly focuses on multi digits like 2 or 3 digits multiplication and division practice.
The best part is each page has just enough math problems for kids to complete in a day making it a perfect addition to your daily math lesson.
Here is how it works: Kids use the back of the page to solve the problem. Each problem has 2 answer options along with the color they need to use to color the picture.
Students solve and select the right option and work on there coloring part of the activity.
I do not know about you but I still feel like I haven’t fully got the hang of using digital activities in my class.
Honestly to leverage technology to get kids practicing math concepts like fractions addition and subtraction with unlike denominator is a bit mess but we are getting though it using Pixel Art Google Sheets(TM) activities.
I assign my students thise activity on their devices and they solve math problems to reveal a pixel art Valentine’s design. The more kids solve the problem right the more picture is revealed which is super FUN!
Puzzles puzzles and some more puzzles. I you one for the people who hear about differentiation or centers in meetings and are excited to try new thing to make it work then this one is for you.
Puzzles are the best part of my centers. Although they take up a little bit of time to prep but its so worth the effort.
Kids not only have to solve the problem but also find the answer to complete their puzzles making it a perfect game based activity to try during math centers.
The best part… it’s free!
But if those same puzzles are heart shaped fractions problems that’s even better. You can check them here.
6. Valentine’s Day FREE Solve the Room
This my friend is what I ALWAYS do when I do not have anything planned for the day and need something quick to engage but still keep them learning.
The idea is simple you write math problems on task cards and display them at various points in your classroom.
Kids walk around the room and solve the problems on the recording sheets.
They feel engaged and fun. Not sticking to their chairs and able to walk around is what makes this activity one of my ids favorite thing.
And honestly, I do not blame them. So if you want to transform your classroom into an interactive collaborating math learning place try out math solve the room activities.
We all use worksheets to put the practice kids need to improve their understanding.
In fact, who does not like to use worksheets to make learning fun with Valentine’s-themed images so kids are more likely to solve them and not feel bored?
These Valentine’s Day math worksheets go beyond traditional worksheets by offering engaging, interactive ways to practice their math skills.
By using themes of love, you are helping students see math as an exciting, enjoyable subject.
How do you make learning fun during valentine’s day? Let me know in the comments!
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