The big test is over, your pacing guide is finished, and summer break is just around the corner. So now what?
Even though the pressure is off, it’s still important to keep your students practicing key math skills. But at this point in the year, no one wants to sit through a new lesson—especially not your students.
The good news? You don’t have to teach anything new. There are easy ways to keep math learning going without jumping into new content. That’s where low-prep, end of year math activities come in.
Here are some simple, low-prep fun math review activities that help reinforce what you’ve already taught—no extra stress required.
Why End of Year Math Activities Still Matter
Just because the test is over doesn’t mean math should come to a complete stop.
Without regular practice, students can quickly forget the skills they’ve worked so hard to learn. End-of-year review helps them hang on to what they know and keeps their brains in math mode for a little longer.
Plus, having consistent routines in place helps with classroom management. When students are engaged, they’re less likely to get off-task or act out.
🛠 Quick Tip for Teachers:
Use simple routines like a daily review slide, bell ringer, or exit ticket. If you don’t already have a resource you love, check out these math writing prompts for 3rd and 5th grade. Not only do they integrate writing into math class, but they also boost mathematical understanding.
Use Math Games for End of Year Review
Math games are one of the best ways to sneak in review without it feeling like more school. Try these easy options to keep your class engaged:
- Small group games like bump games, dice games, and bingo
- Whole group games like Jeopardy or Trashketball
- Digital games using Boom Cards, Blooket, or Kahoot
If you already have a favorite set of task cards, it’s so easy to turn them into a trashketball or bingo game.
👉 Need ready-made games? End-of-Year Trashketball Math Review Games are a fun way to keep the energy up while reviewing important concepts.
Try a Math Choice Board or Menu
When students feel like they have a choice, they’re more likely to stay on task. A math menu gives students a mix of activities and lets them pick how they review.
Here are some ideas to include:
- Play a math game with a partner
- Complete a set of digital task cards
- Create a comic strip that shows how to solve a word problem
- Build a mini anchor chart for a math skill they struggled with
- Watch a math video and solve a related problem
Choice boards are great for centers, early finishers, or even independent work time.
🛠 Don’t have one made yet? Try a simple 3×3 grid and add a mix of digital and hands-on review activities.
Fun Math Activities That Feel Like Projects
This time of year is perfect for math projects. These give students a chance to apply what they’ve learned in a fun and creative way.
Try one of these:
- Design a board game that reviews 3 different math skills
- Create a math museum with posters, models, or foldables
- Plan a class party using a set budget and supply list
- Run a pretend store where students solve money word problems
Projects like these are great for group work, and they help students see how math shows up in real life.
Keep It Simple with Spiral Review Work
Some days, you just need something quiet and structured. Spiral review slides and worksheets can help students stay sharp while you handle end-of-year tasks.
Use them for:
- Morning work
- Fast finishers
- Independent review time
- Sub plans
Final Thoughts: Keep Math Going Without Burning Out
You don’t need to teach anything new to make these last few weeks count. A few fun math activities, easy review games, and hands-on projects can help your students finish strong—and give you some breathing room while you wrap up the year.
Focus on what matters: reviewing key skills, keeping your classroom calm, and ending the year on a positive note.
