Three Digit Place Value Activities for the Classroom

Do you have students that struggle with place value? Place value is often one of the first math concepts that throws kids for a loop because it’s pretty abstract. After they’ve learned that a number means one thing, suddenly that same number in a different place means something else! If you’ve taught place value before, you probably know this struggle well. The trouble is, finding place value activities to reinforce these concepts can be difficult. Worksheets and repetitive exercises can be boring, leaving kids more frustrated than they were before.

How can you teach place value in a fun way?

Since learning 3 digit place value can be difficult for younger students, it’s important to use fun place value activities to reinforce what they’re learning. My favorite place value activities are games! I love using games to teach in my class because they’re always engaging. They help students master difficult concepts without feeling too repetitive, like worksheets often do.

To make it easier for you to teach place value in a fun way, I’ve rounded up six of my favorite Three Digit Place Value Activities! This bundle of place value games is super versatile, engaging, and helpful for kids who struggle with this concept. Some can be completed alone and some require teamwork to get the job done. Plus, they’re printer friendly and require little to no prep on your part!

1. Place Value Puzzles

These Place Value Puzzles are helpful for students and super engaging! They have an adorable monster theme that kids will love. Here’s how it works: students will match up the puzzle pieces that correspond with the same three digit number. Each puzzle contains four pieces that match up: one with word form, one with base 10 blocks, one with expanded notation, and the monster’s piece with standard form. This resource includes 18 different puzzles for plenty of fun and practice.

2. I Have… Who Has… Game

This place value game is played as a group to build math and teamwork skills! Here’s how it works: the teacher passes out an “I have… Who has…” card to each student. The student with the START card reads their card first, then the student who has the next card reads theirs and so on! This game is a fun way for students to connect the standard form of three digit numbers with the word form.

3. Place Value Scoot Game – Standard Form

Have you ever played a scoot game with your students? Scoot games are great because they teach valuable math concepts while getting kids up and moving. This Place Value Scoot Game in Standard Form helps reinforce their knowledge of hundreds, tens, and ones.

Here’s how it works: the teacher places the scoot game cards around the room. Each card has a standard form notation of a three digit number. Students find the cards around the room and write down the word form of each card in their answer key. You can also have them write other forms of the numbers or whatever form they would like! After they have their answers filled out, you can check them for accuracy.

4. Place Value Scoot Game – Base 10 Blocks

This Place Value Scoot Game with Base 10 Blocks follows the same basic structure as the previous scoot game. Instead of standard form on the cards, students will see the base ten block form. Then, they will write the standard form of the three digit numbers on their answer key.

5. Place Value Scoot Game – Word Form

You can never have enough scoot games! This Place Value Scoot Game with Word Form works the same as the previous two games, but the cards show the word form of the numbers. For example, a card can read “2 hundreds, 3 tens, and 7 ones”. Then, students will write the standard form in their answer key.

6. Expanded Notation Game

Last but not least, this Expanded Notation Game is a version of the previous scoot games. Students will scoot around the room and look for an expanded notation task card. They will then write the number in standard form or hundreds tens and ones on their recording page! You can assign a form for them to write or have them mix it up.

Ways to use these three digit place value activities in the classroom

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use these place value games with my students!

●       Math centers

●       Partner activity

●       Early finisher activity

●       Laminate the games to use over and over!

Conclusion

Teaching place value can be a challenge, but it’s made fun with this bundle of Three Digit Place Value Activities! Students will have a blast while reinforcing those abstract math concepts.

How do you teach place value in the classroom? I’d love to hear from you!