Equivalent Fractions ‘Spoons’ Game

This game for practicing equivalent fractions is a variation on the classic card game "Spoons." If you've ever played "Spoons" before, you know that the game is super fast-paced and lots of fun. I figured that if I could combine the fun and exciting parts of "Spoons" with some equivalent fractions practice, I'd have a center game that my students would be dying to play. And let me tell you, this one does not disappoint!

How to play Equivalent Fractions "Spoons":

Number of players: 3-6 players

Preparing the materials:

1. Click here to download the Equivalent Fraction cards that we've created for this game. Print and cut the cards.

2. Grab some plastic spoons (or any other object that can be grabbed by the players). You need one fewer than the number of players. For example, if you have 6 players, you'll need 5 spoons.

Object of the game:

To be the last player remaining in the game. Players get closer to being eliminated each time they are left without a spoon, which earns them the next letter in the word S-P-O-O-N. Once a player has earned all 5 letters in the word S-P-O-O-N, he or she is out.

Getting ready to play:

1.Arrange the spoons in a small circle in the center of the table.

2.Shuffle the equivalent fraction game cards and deal four cards face down to each player. The players may look at their own cards, but may not show their cards to anyone else.

3.Choose a dealer for the round. The remaining cards should be placed in a pile facedown beside the dealer.

Playing the game:

1.The dealer takes a card off the top of the pile so that he or she now has five cards in his or her hand. The dealer removes one of the five cards from his or her hand and passes it facedown to the player on his or her left. The dealer then continues to pick up cards from the pile and discard one card at a time to the player on his or her left.

2.The player to the left of the dealer picks up the discarded card from the dealer. Like the dealer, he or she removes one of the five cards from his or her hand and passes it facedown to the person on his or her left. He or she continues to do this as cards continue getting discarded to him or her.

3.This quick picking up and passing of cards continues around the circle. The last player in the circle always places his or her discarded card into a trash pile. These cards are now out of play for the round.

4.Once someone gets four-of-a-kind (four fraction cards that are equivalent makes four-of-a-kind) in his or her hand, he or she grabs a spoon from the center of the table. Once the player with four-of-a-kind takes a spoon, everyone else tries to immediately grab a spoon (even if they do not yet have four-of-a-kind).

5.The player left without a spoon earns a letter in the word S-P-O-O-N.

6.The round is now over and the game begins again. If any players were eliminated during the last round, a spoon must be removed so that there is always one fewer spoon on the table than players.

Looking for additional resources for practicing equivalent fractions? Click on the images below to view these resources in our TpT shop!