Math can be fun?????

Of course it can!  As a resource room math teacher at the middle school level, I've definitely come across my share of kids who are either "done" with math or they believe that it's some horrible thing that's going to keep them a prisoner to number their entire lives.  For those of you parents out there who may have a child who needs to improve his/her math skills or a child who needs incentives and loves to play games online, www.coolmath-games.com may be just the thing you're looking for.  It doesn't replace the need for instruction, but it can be a fun way to practice math skills, without trying your patience.
Where their motto is "Come for the games...Stay for the lessons,"  your student is sure to be engaged in an experience they'll want to replicate over and over.  The site is full of a wide range of games for a wide range of ages and interests.  I've found myself enjoying some of the games the students do!

My students and I both love Bloxorz  (a game which requires you to move a rectangular block along a path until you can stand it on end to drop it into a whole), that requires a good amount of focus and math reasoning.  Even my students who are challenged with the ability to focus have admitted to spending a lot of time playing this game.

Though I'm not a big fan, the kids love Bloons Tower Defense 3.    In this game, the students have to manage their money, to make sure they have enough to buy items to pop the balloons and keep them from making it through a path.  Where getting your student to manage money may be a challenge, this could prove to be a good starting point.  I've had students beg me for the opportunity to play this game and extra for a longer break, just to continue playing.

These are just two of the many games offered on the site, which claims to have games in all of the following areas:

Board, colors, jigsaw, logic, mazes, memory, numbers, pictures, quiz, shapes, skill, and strategy

The site is also updated frequently, so boredom shouldn't become an issue.  So if granting random computer time, to play senseless games isn't your thing, try this site out.  You can gain some peace of mind in knowing that your student is doing something meaningful and you might find something entertaining to do in your "spare" time, which will hone your math skills too!  :)