Easy Ways to Teach Properties of Numbers

Numbers pop up everywhere on price tags, clocks, cooking recipes, and even on sports scores. Kids bump into math from a very young age, so why not make learning about numbers smooth and even fun? Easy ways to teach properties of numbers can help make that happen. Parents and teachers often ask: “How can this stuff actually stick in their heads?” The trick? Keep it simple, playful, and tied to things they already love doing.

Table of Contents

What Are Properties of Numbers?

Think of number properties as the rules of the math game. These “rules” don’t change no matter which numbers you play with—they work the same way. Kind of like gravity, but for math. A fun way to explore them is with the Hit the Button Quick Maths Game which helps reinforce these patterns through speed and repetition.

They help make sense of problems and sharpen number sense. Once kids start recognizing these patterns, math feels way less random.

Basic Properties of Numbers Explained Simply

Commutative Property

Swapping numbers doesn’t change the result.

Commutative in Addition

Example: 4 + 7 = 7 + 4
The order doesn’t matter — the sum is still 11.

Commutative in Multiplication

Example: 3 × 5 = 5 × 3
Both give you 15. Easy peasy!

Associative Property

Grouping numbers gives the same result.

Associative in Addition

Example: (2 + 3) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4)
No matter how the numbers are grouped, the answer is 9.

Associative in Multiplication

Example: (2 × 3) × 4 = 2 × (3 × 4)
Both lead to 24. It’s all in how you stack it.

Distributive Property

Break it down to make it easier.

Example: 3 × (4 + 5)
You can multiply 3 with 4 and 5 separately:
3 × 4 + 3 × 5 = 12 + 15 = 27
Same result, just chunked out.

Identity Property

Sticking with the same number.

Additive Identity

Adding zero doesn’t change anything: 6 + 0 = 6

Multiplicative Identity

Multiplying by one? Still the same: 9 × 1 = 9

Zero Property

Zero wipes everything out in multiplication.

7 × 0 = 0
Even the biggest number shrinks to nothing with a zero.

Fun and Easy Ways to Teach Number Properties

Using Household Objects

Grab spoons, socks, or building blocks. Want to show 3 + 2 = 2 + 3? Lay out 3 LEGO bricks, then 2 more. Swap the groups and show the same total. It’s math in motion!

Teaching Through Games and Puzzles

Turn math into a treasure hunt. Ask your child to solve addition riddles that follow the associative property. Use dice to mix and match numbers. They won’t even notice they’re learning.

Incorporating Music and Rhymes

Sing songs like:
🎵 “Zero plus any number is just the same,
You don’t need to play a number-changing game!” 🎵

These catchy lines help make memory work automatic.

Using Flashcards and Visual Aids

Print out cards with examples on one side and names of properties on the other. Flip, match, repeat. Visual learners will love seeing patterns pop out like puzzle pieces.

Real-Life Activities to Reinforce Learning

Cooking and Measuring

Ask your child to help with measuring ingredients:
“Hey, if we add 1 cup of flour and then 2 cups, is that the same as adding 2 cups first and then 1?” Boom! That’s commutative in real life.

Shopping Games

Pretend shopping teaches math naturally. Use fake money and ask:
“If a toy costs $2 and a snack costs $3, does it matter which one you add first?” Let them handle the “money” and answer it themselves.

Storytelling with Numbers

Make up silly stories:
“Three kittens baked cookies. Two more joined. How many did they bake together?”
Group numbers, change order, and let kids spot the hidden math rules in the story.

Mistakes to Avoid

Teaching Rules Without Examples

Saying “commutative means order doesn’t matter” means nothing unless kids see it work in real life. Use examples every time.

Skipping Hands-On Practice

Kids won’t remember just by hearing. Give them stuff to touch, move, and play with. That’s how knowledge sticks.

Tips for Parents and Educators

Keep the Mood Light

Laugh through the lessons. Mess up on purpose and let them correct you. It keeps pressure off and confidence high.

Praise Progress, Not Just Accuracy

Catch them doing things right, even small steps. “Nice job spotting the pattern!” goes a long way.

Create a Routine Around Math Play

Math time can be part of playtime. A five-minute session during snack break does more than a whole hour of boring drills.

Conclusion

Teaching number properties doesn’t have to be complicated. With a handful of fun tricks, games, and real-life examples, you can turn math into something enjoyable. Keep it light, use everyday items, and repeat the patterns until they become second nature. You’re building number confidence — one giggle and “aha!” moment at a time.