Magic Math! (And more ideas for addition fact practice)

Let’s do some magic math! This is an idea for a FUN way to spice up addition practice. And it actually works for any math facts practice including subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What is magic math, you ask?

Magic math combines addition practice with crayon and watercolor resist to create a fun way to “magically” check your own answers. Kids will work the problems and then paint over the answer boxes to watch the answers appear!

This post was originally published in April 2013 and updated in April 2025.

Supplies Needed for Magic Math:

• Paper
• Crayons – including a white one!
• Watercolor paints and a brush

First, I made a simple worksheet with the addition facts I wanted my child to practice. Under each answer, I drew a box for the “magical check.”

Then I had my son work the problems and write down his answers.

I did not write the answers in the answer boxes until AFTER my son had completed the worksheet himself! It’s definitely possible to read the answer in white crayon if you tilt the paper the right way.

Once your child has completed the problems, ask them to paint over the magic answer boxes to reveal the correct answer!

It may seem like the paint is covering up the answer, but give it a minute. The white crayon will definitely resist the paint and the answer will appear quite clearly.

Some of the lighter colors of watercolor paint may not provide enough contrast to see the white crayon. Encourage your child to avoid yellow and maybe orange too.

There are some surprising benefits to this activity:

• It was not Mom telling him that he was wrong. He was able to see for himself if his answers matched the correct answers.
• Correcting his math work was fun.
• And, he noticed his number reversals himself! It was very easy to compare his numbers to mine.

You can use Magic Math for multiplication too! Or subtraction or division.

Older kids won’t find this nearly as magical as kindergartners and first graders will, but it’s still fun!

Here are more ideas for practicing math facts:

These Sidewalk Chalk Math Games are fabulous for the warmer weather months. Math is WAY more fun outside!

Then here’s a collection of Addition Card Games to play with a deck of cards or an UNO card game.

Spring is a great time to play a round of Math Facts Baseball!