Introduction

We see the real-world applications of area and perimeters in rectangles, triangles, circles, and other shapes. In math, an area covers the 2D properties of shapes, while perimeters explain the distance between shape boundaries. But how can kids learn these concepts in a fun way? The answer is by using area and perimeter games.

Basic Concepts of Area and Perimeters

Areas and perimeters are essential topics for learning math. Your kids will often encounter shapes with area and perimeter in their daily activities. But to fully appreciate the concepts of area and perimeters in math, you need to understand their constituents and differences. Continue reading to know more about area and perimeters.

Definition of Area

An area of a shape is the region a 2D geometric shape covers. This area is usually dependent on the shape’s dimension and properties. Every shape has a unique area; the area of a square is different from that of a triangle, which also isn’t the same as a square’s area.

Even if you have similar shapes, like two triangles, it does not mean that their areas will automatically be the same. The measurements can only be the same if their dimensions are equal. So, when calculating the area of shapes, pay keen attention to their sizes or dimensions.

Definition of Perimeter

A perimeter can be the length of a shape when you expand it in its linear form. Simply put, a perimeter is a total distance around a two-dimensional shape.  You can also refer to a perimeter as the framework, border, or boundary of a shape. If you know a shape’s perimeter, you can transform it into another shape. For instance, if you measure a circle’s perimeter and reach 16 cm, you can easily turn it into a square by making all the sides 4 cm.

The Difference Between Area and Perimeter

Area and perimeter are two concepts that people often use together. While an area is the space a shape occupies, a perimeter shows the boundary lines and outlines of the shape. You can measure areas in square units (in², m², cm², etc.) and measure perimeters in units (in, ft, cm, m, etc.). You must multiply the sides of a shape to get its area and add them to get the perimeter.

How to Introduce Area and Perimeter Math Games to Kids 

Area and perimeter can be quite challenging for kids to understand, since a slight mistake can alter their definitions. If you decide to go ahead with the connotations and examples of how area and perimeter are different, you may confuse the kids further. If you mistake boundaries for space, you might end up calculating for the area instead of perimeters, and vice versa.

Fortunately, fun activities like area and perimeter math games for kids can help teach the difference between area and perimeters in your kid’s mind. Children enjoy participating in exciting activities like jumping, running, etc. So, help them channel all that energy into area and perimeter games 3rd grade children can leverage to work on their math skills while they play.

You could give your child a string and have them play perimeter games by measuring certain objects like their toys, etc. When they finish measuring, have them put the yarns against a ruler to check the length and tell them they just solved the perimeter. You can also play area games with older kids by writing formulas down while they guess the formulas’ corresponding concept.

Are Interactive Area and Perimeter Games Good for Teaching?

Area and perimeter help you estimate physical space and understand other topics like calculus, algebra, trigonometry, and so on. Remember that area shows how much space a shape covers, while you can use perimeter to measure the distance or boundaries of that shape. Interactive area and perimeter games can help kids understand this concept without confusing them.

Supposedly, simple math concepts like addition and subtraction can turn out to be daunting for adults, let alone kids. Now, imagine verbally or mathematically explaining the idea of area and perimeters to these young minds. The words and definitions will likely sound foreign to them, which will delay their learning and retention.

In cases where the child sees an area as a vast expanse of land or perimeter as boundaries, how do you prevent the mix-up that may occur? Area and perimeter games are just the answer you need. You can help your child understand the concepts of perimeter and surface area by having them run to various ends of your yard and define what they’ve just done in math terms. Or you could introduce them to other customized area math games to help them understand the idea and its real-world equivalent.

What Skills Can Area and Perimeter Math Games Improve in Kids?

Like most math topics your kids learn while growing up, area and perimeters are two concepts that can help build vital skills. Even though the skills may seem inconsequential and trivial at first, you will witness their impact as the little children grow older. Here is a look at some skills that area and perimeter games can improve. 

Math skills

Math is a foundation for algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, and many other topics. Area and perimeter are two vital mathematics concepts because they have to do with a more physical assessment of objects. So when your kids play area and perimeter games, they are simply training to become more skilled mathematicians.

Vocabulary skills

Area and perimeter are not mathematical jargon; they are also normal English words. Imagine your kid making complex sentences like “circle the perimeter of the yard” instead of saying, “move from that end of the yard to the other three ends.” You’d be delighted, no doubt. When kids play area and perimeter games, they learn how and when to use the terms so, instead of pronouncing jargon, they know the right words and when to use them.

Workplace skills

Every day, graphic designers, architects, engineers, and even coast guards use important concepts like area and perimeter to carry out their jobs. For instance, knowledge about area and perimeter can help a civil engineer know more about how to remodel or build a home. When your kids play area and perimeter games, they understand that this knowledge does not just end in the classroom. They can also use the knowledge they get from their area and perimeter games in the workplace.

Independence

Playing area and perimeter games help your kids become more independent. When your kids are conversant with the concepts of area and perimeters, they will want to tackle related math problems with minimal interference. In those times, you should let them try to solve the problems themselves, fail occasionally, and become more self-confident when they succeed. Besides, having you out of their way will give you more time for yourself when you get back from work, which is always welcome.

Free Area and Perimeter Online Games

Although playing offline perimeter games with your child may help you get some bonding time, the problem with engaging in such activities is that you cannot monitor and record your child’s progress. Sometimes, you may even be too tired from your day’s job to engage your kids in such activities. Your child won’t wait until you play with them before they start playing the game, which is where area and perimeter online games steal the show.

With online math games, you can track your child’s progress and increase their difficulty level as they advance. So, even if the kids are slow learners and cannot meet up with the lectures in class, they can keep repeating a particular level of the area online games until they perfect that stage of area and perimeters.

Creating profiles for your kids on perimeter online games ensures that even in your absence, they can still study. If you get good perimeter games online, you wouldn’t need to explain certain concepts to your child; they can maneuver it themselves and learn the necessary terms and formulas. These games will help ensure that your child gets the maximum attention level required to understand their area and perimeters lessons.

If you wonder how much it will take to get area and perimeter games for your kids, you are in the right place. A few trusted learning resource sites have fun perimeter games that are sure to catch your child’s attention. And if you are unsure of the quality of their games, you can try out their free online games and then decide to pay for the premium ones if you want.

Conclusion

Understanding and remembering the difference between the area and perimeter of a shape can be tricky for kids. But it doesn’t have to. Nowadays, many kids love playing with gadgets, so downloading area and perimeter games on their devices will ensure they learn math using the tools and activities they love.