Save those plastic bottles

Empty drink bottles can be used to teach addition or multiplication facts.

Addition: depending on difficulty level, place 2 or more dice in the bottle and replace the lid. Shake the bottle, and then hold it sideways. Look at the dot showing on the dice. Have children add up the sums. It's just a different approach to practicing addition facts.

Use more than two dice for advanced level.

This can also be used for estimating numbers.

Multiplication: use two dice and have them give the answer for the two numbers shown. Older children could use 3 dice. If a child needs help with multiplying with a certain number, then use a small wooden cube and write the same number on all sides or cover the dots with a plain sticker or piece of tape.

The smaller drink bottles actually work better.