Skip counting relay: a 15-minute 2nd grade math game
What it is: a 2nd grade math relay where teams put skip counting cards in order as fast as they can, by 2s, 5s, 10s and 100s. Fluent skip counting helps with money, time and later multiplication.
Time: about 15 minutes. Grade: 2nd grade.
Materials: for each team, a shuffled set of number cards for one skip count (for example 5, 10, 15 ... 60), a spot on the floor to build the line, and a timer.
- Count by 5s together to 60, clapping on each number.
- Teams line up across the room from their pile. Each student runs or walks fast, takes one card and brings it back.
- The team puts the cards in order as they arrive and reads the whole line aloud when done.
- Check together. If a number is missing or out of order, the team fixes it.
- Play again with a new skip count (2s, 10s, 100s), and try to beat the team's first time.
Safety: walk fast instead of running in small rooms, and keep the path clear of bags and chairs.
Differentiation: students who need support count by 10s with a hundred chart nearby. Students who are ready start from a number that isn't a multiple, such as 3, 8, 13. English learners can say the numbers with the team before reading the line.
Quick check: say "35, 40, 45" and ask a student what comes next and what the rule is.
Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades K–2
- Subject
- Math
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.