A Place Value and Estimation Challenge: Target 100!

Ready for a fun maths puzzle that requires strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck? Welcome to Target 100, a free online game designed to build a deep understanding of place value and addition. If you’re looking for a challenging and engaging maths game for your Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 child, this is a perfect choice!

The goal is simple: get a total as close to 100 as you can. Over six rounds, you will roll a die and decide where to place the digit—in the Tens column or the Ones column. Will you use that 6 to make a 60, or save the Tens column for a smaller number later? Every choice matters! This game is a fantastic way to develop strategic thinking and number sense.

How to Play

1. Roll the Die: Click the “Roll Die” button to get your first digit (from 1 to 6).
2. Make a Strategic Choice: A new number has been rolled. Do you want to place it in the Tens column or the Ones column for the current row? Click the button for your choice.
3. Build Your Numbers: Continue this for six rounds, filling all six rows on the game board. The total will be calculated for you as you go.
4. Check Your Score: After your sixth and final number is placed, the game will end. See how close to 100 you were able to get!

Learning Objectives & Curriculum Links

Target 100 is a powerful educational tool that directly supports key learning objectives within the UK’s KS1 and KS2 maths curriculum.

• Target Age Group: This game is ideal for children in Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4 (ages 6-9). It’s a perfect challenge for children who are confident with their basic addition and are ready to think strategically about place value.
• Key Maths Focus:
  • Place Value: The core of the game is about understanding that a digit’s value is determined by its place. It directly supports the curriculum aim to “recognise the place value of each digit in a two-digit number (tens, ones) and three-digit number (hundreds, tens, ones).”
  • Addition and Mental Maths: Children will practice adding multiple two-digit numbers, reinforcing their mental and written addition skills.
  • Estimation and Strategy: This is a fantastic game for developing estimation skills. As their total grows, children must think critically about the best move. Is it better to take a small number now or hope for a better one later? This encourages strategic thinking and number sense.

Tips for Teachers and Parents

This interactive place value game is a brilliant resource for both classroom and home use.

• For Teachers: Use Target 100 on your interactive whiteboard as a highly engaging whole-class maths starter. It’s a perfect puzzle for “Maths Meeting” or as a warm-up. You can have a class discussion after each roll: “We rolled a 5. Should we put it in the Tens or the Ones? Why?” This promotes deep mathematical reasoning and conversation.
• For Parents: This game is a fun and strategic alternative to typical maths homework. It’s a “low floor, high ceiling” task, meaning it’s easy to learn but offers deep strategic possibilities. Play against your child by taking a screenshot of your board and seeing who can get closer to 100. It’s a great way to make learning about place value a fun family challenge.

Enjoy the challenge of hitting the target! Be sure to explore our other free maths games for all primary school ages.