A Fun and Fast Equivalent Fractions Game: Fraction Snap!

Get ready to test your speed and knowledge in Fraction Snap, a free online maths game that turns the tricky topic of equivalent fractions into an exciting, fast-paced card game! If you’re looking for a fun way to help your Key Stage 2 child master fractions, get your snapping fingers ready!

This game challenges players to think quickly and spot matches between different-looking cards that have the same value. A “Snap!” can be made on two identical fractions (like 2/4 and 2/4), two equivalent fractions (like 1/2 and 3/6), or even between a written fraction and a pictorial one (like 1/4 and a quarter of a pie chart). It’s a brilliant way to build fluency and a deep understanding of how fractions work.

How to Play

1. Start the Game: The deck will be shuffled and the game will begin.
2. Take Your Turn: When it’s your turn, click the “Play Card” button. A new card will be flipped onto the pile.
3. Watch the Pile: The computer will automatically take its turn after you. Keep a close eye on the cards!
4. Spot a Match: When the card at the top of the pile has the same value as the one directly underneath it, it’s a match!
5. Hit SNAP!: As fast as you can, click the giant “SNAP!” button. If you’re quicker than the computer, you win all the cards in the pile!
6. Win the Game: The game ends when all the cards from the deck have been played. The player with the most cards in their score pile is the winner!

Learning Objectives & Curriculum Links

Fraction Snap is a valuable educational tool that directly supports key learning objectives within the UK’s Key Stage 2 (KS2) maths curriculum.

• Target Age Group: This game is ideal for children in Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5 (ages 7-10). It’s a fantastic way to introduce and reinforce the concept of equivalent fractions.
• Key Maths Focus:
  • Equivalent Fractions: The core of the game directly supports the Year 3 and Year 4 curriculum aim to “recognise and show, using diagrams, equivalent fractions with small denominators.”
  • Visualising Fractions: By including pictorial representations like pie charts, the game helps children connect abstract fractions to a visual model, strengthening their understanding.
  • Comparing Fractions: To win, players must quickly compare the values of different fractions, which builds number sense and mental arithmetic skills.
  • Fluency and Recall: The fast-paced nature of the game encourages quick recall of fraction equivalencies, helping to cement this knowledge for more complex problems later on.

Tips for Teachers and Parents

This interactive fractions game is a brilliant resource for both the classroom and home learning.

• For Teachers: Use Fraction Snap on an interactive whiteboard as a highly engaging whole-class starter or plenary. You can play a few rounds as a class, encouraging students to shout out “Snap!” when they see a match. It also works perfectly as a competitive game for pairs of students on tablets during a maths rotation.
• For Parents: This game is a fantastic, fun alternative to worksheets. It makes practicing fractions feel exciting rather than a chore. You can play along with your child, helping them spot the pictorial matches first and then moving on to the more difficult equivalent written fractions. It’s a great way to build confidence in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Enjoy the game! Don’t forget to explore our other free maths games for all primary school ages.