Math activity
Order of Operations Obstacle Course
Follow a sequence of actions in order! First jump, then clap, then spin. Practice doing things in the right order, because order matters!
Materials and setup
- paper signs for stations
- tape
- index cards with expressions
- pencil
- timer
- open space
How this changes by age
Pre-K (ages 3–4)
Follow a sequence of actions in order! First jump, then clap, then spin. Practice doing things in the right order, because order matters!
Steps
- Set up 3 stations in a room: Station 1 (jump), Station 2 (clap 3 times), Station 3 (spin around).
- Explain: 'You must do these IN ORDER. First jump, then clap, then spin. Order matters!'
- Child completes the course in order.
- Now change the order: first spin, then jump, then clap. Was the result different? Yes!
- Connect to math: 'In math, we also have to do things in the right order!'
- Tell a grown-up one thing that surprised you.
Learning objectives
- Follow a multi-step sequence in the correct order
- Understand that changing the order changes the result
- Connect sequential thinking to mathematical operations
Kindergarten (ages 5–6)
Complete math challenges at obstacle course stations in a specific order. Practice doing addition before moving to the next station.
Steps
- Set up 4 stations with math cards at each: Station 1 (add 3), Station 2 (add 5), Station 3 (take away 2), Station 4 (add 1).
- Start with the number 2. At each station, do the operation and carry your new number to the next station.
- Station 1: 2 + 3 = 5. Station 2: 5 + 5 = 10. Station 3: 10 - 2 = 8. Station 4: 8 + 1 = 9.
- Do a physical challenge at each station too (5 jumping jacks, hop on one foot, etc.).
- Try with a different starting number. Does the order of stations change the final answer?
- Tell a grown-up one thing that surprised you.
Learning objectives
- Perform sequential operations keeping track of a running total
- Understand that operations are performed left to right in sequence
- Connect physical movement to mathematical steps
Early elementary (ages 6–8)
Learn PEMDAS through a physical obstacle course! Each station represents an operation, and you must visit them in the right order: Parentheses first, then Exponents, then Multiply/Divide, then Add/Subtract.
Steps
- Set up 4 station zones labeled: P (Parentheses), M/D (Multiply and Divide), A/S (Add and Subtract), and a Finish line.
- Given the expression 3 + 4 x 2: which station do you visit first? M/D! Calculate 4 x 2 = 8. Then A/S: 3 + 8 = 11.
- Given (3 + 4) x 2: Parentheses first! Visit P station: 3 + 4 = 7. Then M/D: 7 x 2 = 14.
- At each station, do a physical challenge (push-ups, jumping jacks) equal to your current number (cap at 10).
- Solve 6 expressions using the obstacle course, visiting stations in PEMDAS order.
- Compare: 3 + 4 x 2 vs (3 + 4) x 2. Same numbers, different answers! Order of operations matters!
- In one sentence, tell a parent or sibling what surprised you today.
Learning objectives
- Apply PEMDAS order of operations to multi-operation expressions
- Understand how parentheses change the order of evaluation
- Distinguish between expressions that look similar but have different answers
Upper elementary (ages 8–10)
Master order of operations with complex expressions including exponents, nested parentheses, and multiple operation types. Race through the obstacle course solving increasingly difficult problems.
Steps
- Set up stations: P (Parentheses/Brackets), E (Exponents), MD (Multiply/Divide left to right), AS (Add/Subtract left to right).
- Solve 8 expressions using the obstacle course, visiting stations in the correct order: e.g., 2^3 + 4 x (6 - 2) = 8 + 4 x 4 = 8 + 16 = 24.
- Nested parentheses: 3 x [2 + (4 x 3)] = 3 x [2 + 12] = 3 x 14 = 42. Work inside out!
- Speed round: solve 10 PEMDAS problems as fast as possible while running between stations. Record your time.
- Create tricky expressions where parentheses placement dramatically changes the answer. Challenge a family member.
- Write 3 real-world scenarios where order of operations matters (e.g., calculating costs with tax and discounts).
- In one sentence, tell a parent or sibling what surprised you today.
Learning objectives
- Evaluate complex expressions with all operations including exponents
- Handle nested parentheses and brackets by working inside out
- Create and solve expressions where order of operations significantly affects the answer
Safety and evidence note
Read the full activity before beginning. An adult should supervise tools, heat, food, outdoor work, movement, and experiments as appropriate. Completion records that the activity was done; the child’s explanation, work sample, photo, or demonstration is stronger evidence of learning than a completion check alone.
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