EGG-CITING MATH
K-5 family night
In this workshop families make math and literacy games created from recycled egg cartons. The games are
briefly introduced and shown (not all of the games, but a representation of different types, covering a variety of
skills. Because most of the math games can be played with one or more of six "generically" labeled cartons, we
make that set of cartons as a group. This makes it possible to accommodate families throughout the K-5 range.
Participants receive a list of the materials they will need to make the math game carton set, and go collect them:
 50 beads (80 if you have preschooler and intend to make the Fill "Er Up counting game).
This should include 13 each of any 2 colors, and the rest (24 or 54)any assorted colors.
Put the beads in a small snack size baggie.
 8 small round colored markers - 3 each of any 2 colors and 1 each of 2 other colors
 24 write-on markers (These can be wooden disks, small fun foam squares or any other small object
that can be written on and will move easily in a closed, shaken egg carton)
 12 2-sided red/white marker pieces (I cut up 2-sided foam markers - available at EAI Education of
other math supply companies - into quarters)
 2 round 2-sided markers
 Play coins - 2 pennies, 2 nickels, 2 dimes, 1 quarter
 40 small cards to make question cards at a later time (I cut up index cards, or use scrap cardstock)
 24 sticky note strips to make cup labels at a later time (I divide the tiny pads into groups of 24 then
cut in thirds so they fit inside a cup)
 5 carton labels - 1-6, 0-9, 1-10, 1-12 and 2-1 (These are optional, but I usually make colorful ones on
cardstock using the printer - it makes the games more appealing and saves time. Families could also
design and color their own labels)
These materials are put in a baggie.
Each family also needs to get:
 5 - 12 cup egg cartons
 6 rubber bands (to keep
 a glue stick
 1 - 18 cup egg carton
cartons closed)
 plastic grocery bag
 scissors
 a magic marker
(to bring home games)
Working together we:
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Label one 12 cup carton with the numbers 1-6 (use each number twice) in random order
Label one 12 cup carton with the numbers 0-9 (use any two numbers twice) in random order
Label one 12 cup carton with the numbers 1-10 (use any two numbers twice) in random order
Label one 12 cup carton with the numbers 1-12 in random order
Leave one 12 cup carton blank
Label the 18 cup carton with the numbers 2-19 in random order
 On the write on markers - label 4 of them with the numbers 1, 10, 100 and 1000 on both sides
Label 20 of them with the numbers 1-20 on both sides
 Glue the carton labels on the top of the cartons
With the cartons and materials above, you will be able to play the following games:
Add-On
Egg-cellent Game
Guarded Treasure
Back and Forth
Egg-O and variations
Line-Up
Broken Eggs
Egg Race
More or Less
Divide and Move
Eggs-Act Fractions
Multiplication Bingo
Egg-A-Round
Eggs Plus
Number Sentence
Egg Bump
Evens vs. Odds
Numbers Up
Egg Carton Digits
Fill 'Er Up
Odds & Evens
Egg Carton Coin Toss
Fractioned Eggs
Place an Egg Value
Race to 100
Shake & Take
Shake, Rattle & Add
Target 20
Three Hundred
Two Eggs Scrambled
200
If you make a second 1-12 carton you will also be able to play Egg Cup Fill-Up and Equation Fill-Up.
These games require special cartons: Addition Toss, Bing-Egg-O, Flip the Egg, Guess That Number, Place Value
Toss, Sk-Egg Ball, What's Shaking?
After completing the cartons for the basic math games, participants work on their own to make a literacy game,
or one of the miscellaneous games. This is done because most of the literacy games require special cartons, and
to allow for the different grade levels.
EGG-CITING LITERACY SUPPLIES (in addition to those participants already have from math games)
B-eggle (grades 4-5) - 18 cup carton, 14 wooden cubes*
Beginnings, Middles & Ends (grades 3-5) - 12 cup carton, 1 wooden cube
Build a Word (grades 1-3) - 18 cup carton, 4 wooden cubes
Cracked Up Words (grades 1-2) - 12 or 18 cup carton
CVC Maker ( grades 1-2) - 3-12 cup cartons
CVC Shake (grades 1-3) - 12 cup carton, 5 wooden cubes
Egg Carton Phonics (PK - K) - 18 cup carton
Scrambled Eggs (grades 3-5) - 18 cup carton, 6 markers, 2 wooden cubes
Shake & Rhyme (K - 2) - 12 cup carton, 4 wooden cubes
Syllable Eggs (K - 1) - 12 cup carton, 2 wooden cubes, 24 small cards
Word Builder (grades 2-3) - 12 cup carton, 2 wooden cubes
Word Target (grades 1-3) - 2-12 cup cartons, 2 round markers
You will also need a rubber band and blank carton label(s) for each game.
* I've found woodcrafter.com to have the most inexpensive wooden cubes - $3 - $5/100 depending on size
MISCELLANEOUS GAMES
Egg Carton Nim - 18 cup carton, 10 more round colored counters (with the ones in your math bag
you will have 18), rubber band, large carton label
Mancala - 2 12-cup cartons
Memory - 12 cup carton, rubber band, carton label, 8 pairs of small objects (You need 12 pairs, but
you already have 2-sided markers, colored markers, beads and coins)
Now You See It - 12 or 18 cup carton, small object for each cup (Suggestions for items easily found
at home are in the booklet, but I also set out different colors/shapes of macaroni, colored paper
clips, etc. ) Items from the math supply bag can also be used - different markers, coins, etc.