6 Math Review Activities for 5th Grade

Math review can feel daunting, especially when students seem disengaged or overwhelmed by the sheer amount of material they need to revisit. As teachers, we know the struggle of balancing engagement with meaningful practice. That’s why having engaging and interactive math review activities in your teacher toolbox can make all the difference. With the right mix of creativity and structure, you can turn what might feel like a mundane task into an exciting opportunity for students to master critical math skills and feel confident heading into test season.

Using Engaging Activities for Reviewing Math

Not all activities for math review are created equal. Engaging, hands-on experiences help students stay focused and reinforce concepts more effectively than endless worksheets. Incorporating a variety of approaches allows students to see math from different angles and keeps things fresh—for them and for you!

Here are just a few reasons to shake up your math test prep routine with interactive review ideas:

They encourage collaboration through small group or whole class activities.
They help build confidence by breaking down difficult math problems into manageable steps.
They provide opportunities to connect concepts to real-world examples.

If you’re looking for more ways to make math engaging, check out my post on Hands-On Math Activities.

Math Review Activities for 5th Grade

1. Task Card Scoot and Scavenger Hunt

Combine the excitement of a scavenger hunt with the practicality of task cards! Place the cards around the room, and let students solve problems as they find them. This dual activity gets students moving while practicing key skills like measurement conversions and order of operations. Students can record their answers on a task card recording sheet, making it easy for you to check their progress.

Pro Tip: Use color-coded cards to differentiate difficulty levels for students.
Variation: Turn it into a competitive scavenger hunt where teams race to complete the most cards.

2. Math Game Boards Math Game Boards

Turn math practice into a game by incorporating a game board format. Whether you use printable boards or create your own, these games make review feel less like work and more like play. Design boards that focus on specific skills, like multiplying fractions or writing expressions, and let students play in pairs or small groups – or grab the done for you games here!

Extension Idea: Have students design their own math game boards to share with classmates.

Learn more about using task cards effectively in my post 5th Grade Math Games for the Classroom. For a more dynamic approach, check out how to incorporate them into Math Night at School.

3. Differentiated Activities

Not all students learn at the same pace, and that’s why differentiation is essential. Design review activities that cater to different levels of understanding:

Below Level: Provide visual aids or manipulatives to help students grasp foundational concepts.
On Level: Use standard math problems from your curriculum to reinforce grade-level skills.
Above Level: Challenge advanced learners with multi-step problems or require them to create their own word problems based on a given scenario.

Rotating through small groups with differentiated tasks allows you to meet students where they are while ensuring everyone gets the review they need.

4. Whole Class Jeopardy

Bring some friendly competition to your classroom with a Jeopardy-style review game. Divide the class into teams and let them choose categories and point values, answering math problems to score points. This works especially well for reviewing multiple topics at once, like decimals, fractions, and geometry.

I’ve used jeopardylabs.com many times in my classroom. It’s easy to set up, easy to use year after year, and the students LOVE LOVE playing!

Tip: Use a PowerPoint template or whiteboard to display questions and keep track of scores.

4. Small Group Centers

Rotating centers are a fantastic way to engage students in targeted review. Each station can focus on a specific skill, such as adding and subtracting decimals or solving word problems. One center might include hands-on manipulatives, while another uses digital tools or printable activities.

Idea: Use differentiated materials at each center to ensure all students are appropriately challenged.
Need more ideas? Check out Alternative to Math Spiral Review.

5. Digital Math Review Games

Incorporate technology with digital math games that align with your lesson plans. Websites like Prodigy or Khan Academy offer engaging platforms where students can practice skills in a fun, gamified environment. These platforms also allow you to track progress and tailor problems to each student’s needs.

Tip: Assign specific skills on these platforms for targeted practice, then follow up with printable activities for reinforcement.
Bonus: Combine digital tools with printable resources for a hybrid review approach.

6. Flip Book Review

Finally, let’s talk about the ultimate all-in-one review tool: the 5th Grade Math Review Flip Book. This versatile resource covers 24 essential topics, from reading and writing decimals to 3D shapes, all in an easy-to-use format. With three versions available, it’s perfect for differentiation:

Basic Template: Ideal for note-taking and student-created content.
Fill-in-the-Blank: Great for guided practice and accommodations.
Completed Version: A ready-to-use study guide for students who need extra support.

This flip book is a game-changer for math test prep, helping students solidify their understanding of key math skills while keeping them engaged.

Printable Activities for Math Review

Ready to simplify your review planning? My 5th Grade Math Review Flip Book has everything you need to make activities for reviewing math both effective and fun. Here’s what’s included:

24 Topics Covered: From fractions and decimals to geometry and measurement.
Three Differentiated Versions: Perfect for all learning levels.
Low-Prep Design: Just print, cut, and go!

Whether you’re preparing for standardized tests or looking for meaningful ways to review throughout the year, this resource has you covered.

Save These Math Review Activities for 5th Grade

Pin this post to your favorite teaching board so you’ll always have these ideas handy. Creating engaging and effective activities for math review doesn’t have to be a chore when you have the right tools and strategies at your fingertips.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these related posts:

Let’s make math review something students actually look forward to!

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6 Math Review Activities for 5th Grade

Using Engaging Activities for Reviewing Math