{"id":316,"date":"2025-06-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2015\/06\/build-a-base-ten-math-game-with-pool-noodles.html"},"modified":"2025-06-10T15:34:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T19:34:34","slug":"build-base-ten-math-game-with-pool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/build-base-ten-math-game-with-pool\/","title":{"rendered":"Build a Base Ten Math Game with Pool Noodles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Young learners need lots of hands-on experiences with numbers. This base ten basket encourages them to build and explore the numbers from 0-100 all for under $8 from the dollar store. Build your own base ten math game with pool noodles for life sized math exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This math activity works well for multiple age levels. We have used it for children ages 2-8 years old. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pool2BNoodle2BBase2BTen2BBasket.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pool2BNoodle2BBase2BTen2BBasket.jpg\" alt=\"Build a Base Ten Math Game with Pool Noodles - Such a neat way for kids to learn numbers to 100!!!!\" width=\"601\" height=\"925\" title=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>This article contains affiliate links.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build a Base Ten Math Game with Pool Noodles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning Objective: Read and represent numbers 0-100 using base ten blocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Materials Needed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>5 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">pool noodles of one color<\/a>. We used orange.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">pool noodle of another color<\/a>. We used blue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00002X2GQ\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00002X2GQ&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=ZDYJSQXNE5QC3C5V\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Tape Measure<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=thedsponit02-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00002X2GQ\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00CXVK76Q\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00CXVK76Q&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=5OT7SVYKX63HJJWP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Large basket<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=thedsponit02-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00CXVK76Q\" alt=\"\">&nbsp;big enough to hold all the noodles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When we make math manipulatives, we always try to have a plan for storage. My kids played this game for 30 minutes and then went on to use the base 10 blocks in other ways (more to come on those activities later) &nbsp;We return to this game every day for about 1 week and then put them away. &nbsp;I will bring the basket out after a week break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, this basket has been well worth the money and time spent making it. My kids have really grown in just a few days in their understanding of larger numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to make the base ten box basket.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>1. The adult cuts the 5 large pool noodles down to 20 inches each. This is slightly less than 1\/2 the length of our pool noodle. We used a serrated knife and it worked ok. No matter what you use, use caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I did this part when the kids were sleeping because I did not want them to see me cutting the pool noodles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Cut the 1 noodle of another color into 2 inch rounds. You only need 10 pieces, but you can make more if desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EducatorsSpinOnIt\/videos\/1123885214319851\/\">Watch the video of how to cut pool noodles&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to play the base ten math game:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Call out a number 0-100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Have the kids work together to represent that number using the base ten blocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. Repeat<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_2425.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/IMG_2425.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"602\" height=\"400\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Game Options<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Let the kids take turns calling out the numbers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Write the numbers down and have then represent the value using the pool noodle base ten manipulatives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After the children build the number, have them write it down on a piece of paper. Discuss the placement of the numbers and what the tens and ones place value represents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pool Noodle Learning Activities for Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We have several Pool Noodle Learning Activities that you might also enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pool-noodle-build-word-towers-for\/\">Build a Word Tower with Pool Noodles&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pool-noodle-sight-word-boat-races\/\">Pool Noodle Sight Word Boat Races&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/15-pool-noodle-learning-activities-for\/\">15 Pool Noodle Activities for Kids&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/abc-order-with-giant-pool-noodle\/\">Giant ABC Beads with Pool Noodles&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pool-noodle-alphabet-boat-matching-game\/\">Pool Noodle Boat Matching Game&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/make-pool-noodle-alphabet-basket-for\/\">Pool Noodle ABC Basket&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Base Ten Basket with Pool Noodles&nbsp;&nbsp;{You&#8217;re Here}<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pool-noodle-learning-activity\/\">Pool Noodle Alphabet Order Obstacle Course&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on the images below to see how to make and play these <strong>pool noodle learning activities!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/make-pool-noodle-alphabet-basket-for\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"224\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Pool2BNoodle2BAlphabet2Bbasket.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Pool2BNoodle2BAlphabet2Bbasket.jpg 224w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Pool2BNoodle2BAlphabet2Bbasket-210x300.jpg 210w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pool-noodle-build-word-towers-for\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Pool2Bnoodle2Bword2Btowers-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"letters written on pool noodles to create a word tower\" class=\"wp-image-4196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Pool2Bnoodle2Bword2Btowers-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Pool2Bnoodle2Bword2Btowers.jpg 448w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/pool-noodle-sight-word-boat-races\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"210\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Sight2Bword2Bboat2Braces-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Sight2Bword2Bboat2Braces-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Sight2Bword2Bboat2Braces.jpg 448w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Pool Noodle Ideas will you try first?<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Young learners need lots of hands-on experiences with numbers. This base ten basket encourages them to build and explore the numbers from 0-100 all for under $8 from the dollar store. Build your own base ten math game with pool noodles for life sized math exploration. This math activity works well for multiple age levels. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":4264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[475,47],"tags":[56,10,644,674,15,174],"class_list":{"0":"post-316","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kids-games","8":"category-math","9":"tag-games-for-kids","10":"tag-grade-school","11":"tag-math","12":"tag-pool-noodle-game","13":"tag-preschool","14":"tag-summer","15":"entry"},"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pool2BNoodle2BBase2BTen2BBasket.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"The Educators Spin On It","author_link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/author\/theeducatorsspinonit\/"},"mv":{"thumbnail_id":4264,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Pool2BNoodle2BBase2BTen2BBasket-195x300.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=316"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84652,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/316\/revisions\/84652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}