Hands-On Maths: Transform Your Homeschool Approach

For years, homeschool maths has been the hardest part of our learning life. Not because I don’t value maths—quite the opposite—but because one of my children, Lillie, 10, has always struggled with numbers. From learning to count onwards, maths has felt like an uphill battle for her. Could hands-on maths be the answer?

I tried everything. Every curriculum, every method and every promise of “this one will finally work.” And while I firmly believe that constantly switching curriculum isn’t ideal, desperation has a way of clouding judgement. For the last four years we’ve lived largely as unschoolers, with maths being the one structured subject we kept. Ironically, it was also the one that caused the most stress.

No matter the programme, Lillie could follow steps and procedures, but there was no understanding underneath. Ask her why an answer worked and she looked completely blank. I realised, painfully, that this wasn’t the education I wanted for my child.

When Maths Became “Boring, Boring, Boring”

Everything came to a head at the beginning of summer when Lillie described maths as “boring, boring, boring.”

For many children that might seem mild, but for my naturally enthusiastic kids, who rarely use that word, it was devastating. It felt like proof that I had failed her. And in truth, I had. I hadn’t trusted my instincts early enough. I hadn’t been brave enough to step away from curriculum when I knew it wasn’t working.

With some much-needed encouragement, I made a decision that felt terrifying and freeing all at once: we would spend the summer exploring hands on maths, completely curriculum-free.

Starting Again: An Individualised Living Maths Approach

I made the tough decision to go right back to the beginning. Not because Lil had “forgotten” maths, but because her understanding had gaps, like puzzle pieces scattered without order. She had knowledge, but no clarity. My job wasn’t to push forward; it was to help her fit the pieces together and find what was missing.

This is where living hands-on maths truly began. For the past four weeks, we’ve played maths games, explored numbers casually, and removed all pressure. No worksheets, no tests and no expectations. Just curiosity.

And something incredible happened: the panic began to fade.

Deschooling a Maths-Phobic Child

Deschooling doesn’t only apply to reading and writing, it applies to maths too. Lil needed space to rebuild her relationship with numbers without fear or failure. Without pressure, calculations slowly became easier. Confidence started to return.

For the first time in years, I felt hopeful. Hands-on maths might just be the answer.

Rediscovering Number Bonds Through Hands-On Maths

When I sensed she was ready, I gently introduced number bonds. No textbook, just conversation and exploration. Both girls could recite number bonds accurately, but only one truly understood them.

Lillie knew that 3 + 7 = 10, but she didn’t understand that 10 could be split. To her, 10 was a fixed thing, not a flexible amount made of parts. This explained so much.

Then came the breakthrough: cooking.

Suddenly, hands on maths made sense. Ten grams wasn’t “10”, it was an amount. Numbers became real, visual, tangible. While not all maths can happen in the kitchen, this insight gave me the key to how her mind works.

Letting Go of the Curriculum (and the Fear)

I realised something important: I’m not bad at teaching maths. I’m bad at teaching someone else’s version of maths.

Without a curriculum, everything clicked. I could respond to her needs, not a scope-and-sequence chart. Maths became flexible, creative, and alive. This is what homeschool maths should feel like.

Our Summer Hands On Maths Plan

This summer is about play, curiosity, and confidence. We’ll stay with number bonds as long as needed. When she’s ready, we’ll explore place value, Roman numerals, and even the history of numbers. Every activity will serve one purpose: helping her understand numbers deeply enough that fear never enters the room again.

I’m sharing this journey in case another homeschooling parent needs permission to trust their instincts and step away from what isn’t working.

Reflection Questions for Homeschool Parents

• How does your child feel about maths, not just perform in it?
• Are they following procedures or showing real understanding?
• Where might there be gaps in foundational number sense?
• What would happen if you paused curriculum for a season?
• How could maths become more meaningful and tangible in your home?

Hands-On Maths Activities to Try at Home

1. Cooking with Numbers
Measure ingredients together and talk about quantities, halves, doubles, and totals.

2. Number Bond Play
Use counters, stones, or LEGO to physically split and recombine numbers.

3. Maths Games
Board games, dice games, and card games naturally build number sense.

4. Real-Life Problems
Plan a picnic budget, shop with cash, or measure materials for a project.

5. Visual Maths
Draw number models, bar diagrams, or part-part-whole pictures.

Maths doesn’t have to be a battle. With patience, trust, and living maths, it can become something joyful again—for both parent and child.

For all of my living hands-on maths posts, click here