Happy Summer everyone !!

The hardest thing for kids to retain is their math skills and it's the hardest subject to get them to do during the summer without them knowing they are actually doing math. Cooking is a good way to keep them thinking and working on fractions. Another great activity is the game Yahtzee which works with multiplication and addition.

I am sharing a few board games you may want to consider playing on those rainy, miserable days in July or August. If you play one that is especially fun please let me know.

1. Little Spender Game - It is never too early teaching kids about the value of money, and this is agoog game for kids ages 5-8. They will use a spinner and move around the board learning about the value of nickels, dimes and quarters. They can also practice making change for a dollar.

2. Presto Change-O Game - A fast paced game that practices addition, subtraction. Move around the board and earn money cleaning the garage or washing dishes and then spend it on going to a show or a visit the the museum.

3. Allowance: A Consumer Game - Should you spend money on ice cream or put it in the bank? Kids start to develop an interest in spening, saving and making purchases. As they move around the board there are chance cards that offer tasks like mowing the lawn or cleaning the garage. I have played this game and like it a lot. It is best for grades 4 and 5.