During my teaching career, I’ve never been a huge fan of textbooks. The textbooks I’ve been given over the years NEVER match the standards I’m supposed to teach! So I find myself creating my own math math worksheets each year to supplement the curriculum. But you and I both know that math worksheets aren’t exactly something students get excited about!

BUT the use of the occasional math math worksheet doesn’t have to be boring–keep reading to learn 3 easy ways to make a math worksheet more engaging!

1. Add a Riddle to a Math Worksheet

I love riddles–the cornier the better! They are not only a delightful addition to any math math worksheet but also serve a dual purpose by making the activity self-checking. 

Here’s how to add a riddle to any math worksheet:

1. Select a Riddle: Find a riddle that fits the context of your lesson. Google is an invaluable resource here.
2. Assign Letters to Questions: Each question on the math worksheet corresponds to a letter in the riddle’s answer.
3. Create a Fill-in-the-Blanks Section: As students solve each question, they use their answers to decode the riddle.

And that’s it! Like I said, it takes a little prep time, but it is one of my favorite things to add to a math worksheet! BONUS–it also makes the math worksheet you are using self-checking. And who doesn’t love that?

Not ready to create your own riddles? I’ve got a steadily growing math riddle collection in my Teachers Pay Teachers store that you can check out!

Here are some of my favorites:

2. Allow Students to Choose Questions

Giving students the autonomy to choose which questions to answer is a simple yet powerful strategy. This approach taps into their sense of independence and often results in increased enthusiasm for completing the math worksheet. Here’s how to implement it:

1. Distribute a math worksheet: Hand out a math worksheet with a variety of questions.
2. Allow question selection: Let students choose a predetermined number of questions to answer.

… and that’s it! It is really as simple as that!

This is by far the QUICKEST and EASIEST way to add engagement to a math worksheet! Simply giving students a choice of what they get to do gets them more excited about what they are completing.

3. Turn Math Worksheets into Mini Scavenger Hunts

Transforming a math worksheet into a scavenger hunt is another easy yet effective technique. This method not only makes the math worksheet more engaging but also encourages students to develop their reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Here’s how I like to do a mini scavenger hunt with a math worksheet:

1. Prepare the math worksheet: Ensure the math worksheet has a manageable number of questions, ideally ten or fewer.
2. Pose a challenge: Instruct students to find which question has a specific answer and prove it by solving the question.

This strategy requires no additional planning and challenges students to think critically as they work through the problems. It’s a fun and interactive way to engage students without adding to your workload.

What I love about this engagement strategy is: I don’t have to plan anything extra and my students will definitely have to use some reasoning skills while looking through the questions. Plus, students love a fun challenge, right? It’s a win-win!

Math worksheets don’t have to be a dull task for students. By incorporating riddles, offering choices, and turning them into scavenger hunts, you can make these tools far more engaging and effective. 

For more tips and ready-to-use resources, check out my 4th and 5th Grade Interactive math worksheets. They include math worksheets, video mini-lessons, and interactive slides designed to make learning math an adventure.

Want more tips on making your math instruction more engaging? Check out these blog posts:

• Math Task Cards: 5 Ways to Use Them (That You Haven’t Tried)
• Math Escape Rooms: A Test Review Your Students Will Actually Enjoy
• 3 Elementary Math Activities for Back to School