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Math Matchup / Grades 3–5

Small challenges.
Big math moments.

A free weekly puzzle kids want to beat. Turn a little friendly competition into ten minutes of math practice—no account needed.

Try the free challenge Explore practice packs

One puzzle. Three ways to understand it.

MathSpark hero
A little practice, together10 minutes

Built for real families.

No account to playPictures, not just proceduresPractice without pressure

01 / Play a little

Can you make the money work?

Read it together. Let your child explain their thinking before you check the answer.

The first matchupMoney + decimals

You have $10. Can you buy a $3.75 snack and a $4.50 drink and still have $2 left?

Think it through: yes or no? How much would be left?

Check your answer

Not quite—you would have $1.75 left.

The snack and drink cost $8.25 altogether. Subtract that from $10 and you have $1.75, which is 25¢ short of $2.

Try five more money questions

Same problem. Three ways in.

  1. Picture it

    Snack
    Drink
    Left

    $3.75 + $4.50 + $1.75 = $10

  2. Use the numbers

    $10 − ($3.75 + $4.50) = $1.75

  3. Make it real

    You need $2 for the ride home. What could you change about your snack order?

Your free five-question money challenge
  1. A pencil costs $1.25. How much do two cost?
  2. You pay $5 for a $3.50 notebook. What is your change?
  3. You have four quarters and three dimes. How much money is that?
  4. A snack costs $2.75 and a drink costs $1.50. Is $4 enough?
  5. You save $1.50 each day for four days. How much have you saved?
Open the visual answer key
  1. $1.25 + $1.25 → $2.50
  2. $3.50 + $1.50 → $5.00. $1.50 change.
  3. 25¢ + 25¢ + 25¢ + 25¢ + 10¢ + 10¢ + 10¢ → $1.30
  4. $2.75 + $1.50 → $4.25. No, you need 25¢ more.
  5. $1.50 + $1.50 + $1.50 + $1.50 → $6.00

02 / Build understanding

More than getting
the right answer.

Different learners need different ways in. MathSpark makes room for a picture, an equation, and a connection to everyday life.

01

Start with one small win

A short challenge gives third- through fifth-graders a clear goal, without a long worksheet standing in the way.

02

Talk through the thinking

Ask “How did you know?” Use the visual explanation to help your child connect the numbers to something they can see.

03

Keep practicing the right skill

When your child needs more repetition, explore printable packs matched to the skills they are working on.

03 / Choose your next step

Play free. Practice a little more.

Start with the challenge. Printable practice is an optional next step, not a requirement to join in.

Free to play

Math Matchup $0

Try the money puzzle and five follow-up questions. No account needed.

Play the challenge

Printable practice packs

Browse available packs for current contents and individual prices.

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Ten minutes starts here

Make math a moment
you share.

Pull up a chair, try the puzzle, and see where your child’s thinking takes you.

Let’s try the challenge