Number Hive is a strategic mathematics game designed to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematics concepts through purposeful play. Students engage in strategic gameplay, reinforcing essential skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while building critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Watch the DEMO
Understanding the Gameplay
The objective of the game is to block your opponent from completing a row of four connected hexagons. But behind the simple goal lies a powerful learning engine.
Students take turns answering maths questions—covering addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, depending on the level you set. Each correct answer lets them claim a tile. But it’s not just about speed or recall. To win, students must also strategically place their tiles, anticipate their opponent’s moves, and adapt their approach.
This combination of maths fluency and strategic thinking means that every move is both a learning moment and a decision-making challenge. As students play, they:
Practise core number facts in context
Strengthen recall through repetition and reward
Deepen understanding by applying knowledge in real time
Build metacognition as they think critically about each move
The result? A deeply engaging experience where students don’t just know the maths — they use it. Number Hive transforms passive practice into active learning that sticks
Game modes to choose from
Player vs Player (PvP): Students can challenge their peers in class or from home. PvP encourages competition, helping students stay motivated and engaged while improving their skills.
Player vs AI: Ideal for independent practice, this mode allows students to play against an AI opponent. The difficulty adjusts to match their level, ensuring they’re always appropriately challenged.
Group Mode: Students can collaborate in teams, discussing strategies and solving problems together. This promotes teamwork, communication, and deeper understanding.
Ways to Use Number Hive in Your Teaching
Independent Practice Perfect for early finishers or maths rotations. Students can play each other or the AI, building fluency through fun, targeted repetition.
Small Group Collaboration Group mode encourages teamwork and discussion, as students strategise together—deepening understanding through shared problem-solving.
Whole-Class Competitions Add excitement with classroom tournaments. Compete to crown your hive champion, while reinforcing skills and tracking progress with in-game data.
Home Practice Keep the learning going after school. Students can play classmates or the AI from home—great for revision, extension, or extra support. Parents can even join in.
Track Progress with Ease View games played, questions answered, and student activity at a glance. Use insights to guide instruction and target support.
Confidence-Building AI Mode The AI offers a safe space for solo play—ideal for students who need more time or confidence before jumping into competition.
Maximising the Benefits of Number Hive in the Classroom
Align with Curriculum Goals Number Hive is designed to align with global mathematics standards, focusing on essential skills such as number relationships, operations, and multiplication facts. As the game expands, so will its curriculum coverage, offering support for students from basic number facts to more advanced algebraic concepts.
Integrate into Lesson Plans Incorporate Number Hive into your daily lessons as a warm-up activity or part of your station rotations. It’s a great tool to reinforce lessons and provide students with hands-on practice that’s engaging and enjoyable. You can also use it as an assessment tool to measure student progress in real time.
Encourage Growth Mindset One of the key strengths of Number Hive is its ability to help students overcome a fixed mindset about mathematics. By making learning fun and accessible, the game empowers students to believe they can succeed in mathematics, no matter their starting point.
Celebrate Achievements Recognise and celebrate student progress by tracking points earned and games played. Set up a reward system where students can earn badges, certificates, or other prizes for reaching certain milestones. This encourages participation and helps keep students motivated to keep learning.
Classroom Tips for Success
Set Clear Objectives: Before using Number Hive, set specific learning goals for your students. Whether it’s mastering multiplication tables or improving problem-solving skills, clear objectives help students stay focused.
Rotate Group Roles: In group mode, rotate roles so that all students get a chance to lead discussions, solve problems, and develop strategies. This ensures equal participation and helps build leadership and communication skills.
Create Learning Challenges: Set up class-wide or grade-wide challenges to foster a competitive yet supportive learning environment. Students can challenge each other in friendly competitions, motivating them to improve their skills through regular gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to supervise students during gameplay? No, Number Hive is designed for independent or peer-led learning. However, you can easily monitor student activity through the teacher dashboard.
How much time should students spend playing? The average time a student plays Number Hive is 12 minutes – that is huge engagement. We recommend 10-15 minutes for individual sessions and 20-30 minutes for group work. You can adjust this based on your lesson structure and students’ needs.
Can I customise the game for different levels? Yes! You can adjust difficulty levels and set specific mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) depending on your class’s current focus.
Connect with us
Whether you've got feedback to share, an idea's for new features and updates, or a question about Number Hive, we'd love to hear from you.